Do Lizards Eat Worms?

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Yes, some species of carnivorous and omnivorous lizards often eat worms.

Worms are often eaten by a few species of lizards. However, some worms like earthworms have a slimy exterior which can lead to lizards sometimes avoiding them; they feed on worms when there is no other option to eat.

Other worm-like invertebrates that lizards enjoy include hornworms, waxworms, and mealworms.

Lizards can easily have different type of worms which includes mealworms, earthworms, waxworms, super worms, silkworms, and phoenix worms.

But some of these worms should be fed to lizards carefully because they all quite fatty, and if given in large portions, it can harm the lizard.

It is also important to understand that the diet of lizards depends on their size.

Do lizards eat earthworms?

Yes, earthworms are a healthy dietary alternative with a balanced nutritional profile. Depending on their diet, certain varieties of lizards consume earthworms.

Lizards can either be herbivores (only eat plants) or carnivores (only eat meat).

Bearded dragons are one of the types of lizards that can consume earthworms.

Others that can eat them include:

  • Bell’s forest dragon
  • Leopard Gecko
  • Water Dragon

And a few others, but not all lizards do. For example, the Iguana is a herbivore. As a result, if this food is offered to some lizards, they may abandon them.

Earthworms are rich in calcium and are safe to feed to bearded dragons of all ages.

Due to their low nutritional value (mostly made up of moisture), they can eat them once a week.

Earthworms are an excellent insect to include in a bearded dragon’s diet to add variety. Earthworms contain protein and several nutrients like calcium. Thus, they can be included in a balanced diet.

However, you must not feed your bearded dragon any earthworms that you find outside as they can bring disease to your home and lizards living environment.

Do lizards eat mealworms?

Yes, Mealworms, which are beetle larvae, are high in protein and provide an excellent diet for the lizard.

You can feed your lizards mealworms around 2-3 times weekly. Captive and wild lizards will feed on as many crickets and mealworms as they can until their hunger is fulfilled.

Mealworms are enjoyed by:

  • various geckos (including leos and cresties)
  • bearded dragons
  • chameleons
  • water dragons
  • and other lizards.

Some amphibians, birds, and tarantulas enjoy mealworms as well.

Prior to actually feeding lizards (captive ones anyway), mealworms should be coated with mineral and vitamin additives as needed by your lizard.

A calcium supplement is usually the most significant. Phosphorus and vitamin D3 are two others that are regularly used.

Considering mealworms exclusively are not really an optimal diet, do your investigation and figure out what your specific lizard species requires.

Crickets, waxworms, butter worms, roaches, silkworms, super worms, hornworms, and some other insect types can indeed be combined with mealworms.

It is not necessarily important as long as you feed properly, but having a range of meals makes it easy to ensure your lizards are getting all the nutrients they need.

What type of worms do lizards usually eat in the wild?

Lizards eat numerous kinds of bugs and will hunt them down on their own in the wild.

Little or baby lizards eat insects such as ants and tiny crickets.

The type of worms that lizards feed on in the wild includes earthworms, mealworms, waxworms.

Waxworms, butter worms, and hornworms can be given as a treat to captive lizards.

Lizards usually eat other insects, but they are quite fond of different types of worms. These lizards can sometimes be useful for your garden. They can keep your garden free from invasive worms (but they don’t discriminate against the beneficial ones too!).

Anoles and fence lizards, for example, normally eat 2-5 tiny bugs or two mealworms at a time.

Agama Lizards, on the other hand, can consume approximately 20 huge crickets or 5-10 medium-sized roaches. So, they’ll need at least 10 super worms or at least 40 meal worms per feeding!

Which species of worm should you feed pet lizards in captivity?

There are indeed a variety of foods available for captive lizards.

Many lizards consume a large number of mealworms as a source of nutrition because mealworms can be beneficial for your pet lizard.

Feeding worms powdered with nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins, to smaller carnivorous lizards and amphibians go a long way toward supporting optimal health for your lizards.

Many insectivorous lizards use mealworms as a source of nutrition. The caloric value of a single mealworm is several times that of a single cricket.

As a result, feeding your lizard mealworms aids in the maintenance of its body mass.

You can also try to feed your lizard earthworms if they’ll take it. Just be sure the worm was sourced from a clean place and isn’t bringing parasites or isn’t harmful to your particular lizard species.

What do Amphisbaenia Lizards (Worm Lizards) eat?

Amphisbaena, known as the red worm lizard or worm lizard is a carnivorous animal that eats

  • arthropods such as spiders
  • centipedes
  • insects
  • and even small rodents on occasion
  • and yes, worms

However, they aren’t called worm lizards because they eat worms. Their name is given to them because they look like worms, since they’re legless.

Amphisbaena lizards are nocturnal species that have lost their ability to sight during the day.

They discover their prey by hearing to and feeling subtle vibrations in the air, as well as by chemoreception.

They live most of their lives below the ground and only emerge from their tunnels at night to hunt for prey.

Additionally, they eat the arthropods they come upon as they burrow through the earth. They lack venom to paralyze or kill prey.

Therefore, they rely on their powerful jaws and teeth, which can interlock, to tear prey apart easily.

The majority of their water comes from the food they eat.

According to several studies, the Amphisbaena lizard invades ant and termite nests while burrowing to feed on insects.

Summary

Most omnivorous lizards eat all different types of worms, both in the wild and in captivity. If you are giving worms to your lizards as a meal, make sure that they get enough nutrition through other means too for a balanced, varied diet. Herbivorous lizards obviously don’t eat worms.

In order to digest food efficiently, lizards must be kept within their chosen ideal temperature zones, which differ by species. Lizards, like all reptiles, are ectotherms, meaning they rely on outside heat sources to keep their bodies warm enough for metabolism and inflammatory responses. Consequently, it is essential to understand your lizard’s best diet and the appropriate temperature range for it to digest the nutritious food you provide. You can help your pet thrive and live a long and happy life if you provide the right diet, light, heat, and humidity.