Meal worms causing impaction?

[kueluck]

Ok, something new to worry about............impaction caused by meal worms? I just read this on the forum. I've been feeding my toads meal worms since mid July, (& just started the gray tree frogs) do I need to stop. Since they eat from tweezers I do pinch the head so they don't put up a big fight. I've also started with wax worms, any issues with these? They also get crickets, moths & flies.

[frogluver]

I haven’t heard of this, but I don’t doubt that it’s possible. I do know however, that mealworms contain high levels of chitin and should be fed sparingly to frogs.

[kueluck]

Ok, so I just read the http://www.frogforum.net/food-feeder...n-content.html and still confused. It doesn't sound like it's a bad thing, and especially if I crush the heads to kill them seems like there is no problem feeding them to the toads & frogs. I'll be glad when they are grown and I can stick with crickets and soft worms.

[MeTree]

Hello. Mealworms can be hazardous to frog and toad health. If they are fed in too high a quantity, due to their tough exoskeleton, they can cause impaction. It is dangerous to feed too many at once. They also aren't very nutritious for frogs or toads. For Pacman Frogs, many people suggest only 3-4 mealworms a week. I can't imagine it being too much different with toads.

Also, from what I have heard, superworms (not to be confused with "Giant" Mealworms) can bite, but from all I have read on the forum and other sites is that mealworms wont bite.

That is just based on what I have read. It seems to be a grey-ish subject, so if anyone has any information saying differently, please feel free to post (and maybe even tell what site you learned it from, because there are alot of rumors out there).

[John]

I don't believe in them causing impaction. I've yet to see a solid piece of evidence for it or even an anecdote from anyone with a reputation. It makes no sense to me that animals (frogs) that are designed to eat chitin-rich food (mealworms) should have a problem passing it. The one thing I do know about mealworms and the like is that the guts of younger frogs sometimes are not able to break through the exoskeleton before the worm is passed out of the digestive tract. So occasionally they can pass whole mealworms or partially undigested mealworms.

[kueluck]

Thanks for the info guys, I’m a little more relieved on the mealworm for toad issue. I have continued to check their scat, which are always good size, constancy and no signs of undigested bugs. They are both now big enough for wax worms so once the mealworms are gone I’m finished with them. Next I’ll try the earthworm thing. I LOVE THIS SITE!