cutting nightcrawlers

[UncleChester]

It breaks my heart, but my frogs really go for them.... which is the only reason I continue to feed nightcrawlers....

They are also very nutritious and a better staple than crickets.

I don't know how small the pieces are relative to your frogs but for what it's worth earthworms are a food item that I ignore the 'space between the frogs eyes' rule. I've had no issues feeding worms that are about as long or even longer then the treefrog eating it (SVL). They're soft and easy to digest so impaction from large hard bits is not an issue, they are incapable of harming your frog, and my worm loving Hyla cinerea has absolutely no issues stuffing them down her throat faster than you can even blink.

You could also look into culturing your own earthworms, but most species take long enough to breed that by the time you get a young crop your whites will probably be big enough to take down pretty large worms (iirc your White's were young'uns?). Breeding earthworms might be worth looking into at any rate.

[Bolisnide]

They are also very nutritious and a better staple than crickets.

I don't know how small the pieces are relative to your frogs but for what it's worth earthworms are a food item that I ignore the 'space between the frogs eyes' rule. I've had no issues feeding worms that are about as long or even longer then the treefrog eating it (SVL). They're soft and easy to digest so impaction from large hard bits is not an issue, they are incapable of harming your frog, and my worm loving Hyla cinerea has absolutely no issues stuffing them down her throat faster than you can even blink.

You could also look into culturing your own earthworms, but most species take long enough to breed that by the time you get a young crop your whites will probably be big enough to take down pretty large worms (iirc your White's were young'uns?). Breeding earthworms might be worth looking into at any rate.

I have one white's, about 2.25" s to v, the other is 3". They are now tank mates as of a couple weeks ago
Anyway, I always have strictly followed the feeder size rule of no bigger than the distance between the eyes. I'll try going a bit bigger, maybe cutting the worm in half, and see how that goes. It makes sense that they can be a bit bigger.


I have one more question about feeding night crawlers:
I keep the styro-foam container in the fridge, and when I take out a worm I wash it in warm (treated) water to rinse and warm it up a bit. Is this necessary? I always have fed nice clean and warm worms... But recently I saw a youtube video (I know not a good place for advice, but sometimes I poke around at frog videos), and saw someone feed a worm right out of the container and covered with soil. It also appeared he had just taken the container out of the fridge.
Is feeding a cold worm not a good idea? does it matter? what about the soil from the container?
The wahsing of the worms is a step I'd prefer to not take if it's unnecessary.

cheers!

[UncleChester]

Provided you know the soil is ok to eat and the frog can pass it easily (no chemicals, no large impaction causing hard bits), I wouldn't worry about a wash. I just give the worms a gentle wipe with my fingers before feeding to get the bulk of it off.

[Bolisnide]

thanks, good to know