AlbertaGirl
Expert Wheel Scrubber
Are the small hornworms an acceptable treat for a hedgehog?
Hornworms
- Thread starter AlbertaGirl
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HedgieMate
Mad About Geoffrey
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
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I've never tried hornworms on our hedgie, although I was so curious that I even tried to order a few last winter but the suppliers I contacted were all out of stock.
My understanding is that hornworms grow pretty big (3" to 4") very quickly (as fast as in 2 weeks). To keep them alive and healthy, you need to constantly provide them with fresh food. Unlike mealworms, you can't keep them in a fridge for very long. The main reason why some people prefer hornworms over other feeder insects is to "fill up" large insectivorous pets with a less number of bugs (e.g. one full grown hornworm is the equivalent of 36 crickets or 70 mealworms in weight
).
Hornworms are low in fat and rich in calcium but contains no chitin which many insectivorous animals such as hedgehogs requires.
You could try feeding a few small hornworms to your hedgie, but I personally didn't see much advantage in feeding hornworms to hedgehogs based on what I learned.
My understanding is that hornworms grow pretty big (3" to 4") very quickly (as fast as in 2 weeks). To keep them alive and healthy, you need to constantly provide them with fresh food. Unlike mealworms, you can't keep them in a fridge for very long. The main reason why some people prefer hornworms over other feeder insects is to "fill up" large insectivorous pets with a less number of bugs (e.g. one full grown hornworm is the equivalent of 36 crickets or 70 mealworms in weight
).Hornworms are low in fat and rich in calcium but contains no chitin which many insectivorous animals such as hedgehogs requires.
You could try feeding a few small hornworms to your hedgie, but I personally didn't see much advantage in feeding hornworms to hedgehogs based on what I learned.
Midwest Exotics
CnQ member since 2003
I would think it would be a fun snack, but knowing mine, they wouldnt eat them anyways. The calcium would be nice additive for a beneficial treat verses something fatty. As said, if your hedgies eat the others(crix & mealies) hornworms arent needed. If they dont eat the others its unlikely they will eat a horn worm either.(or so i'd think)
My hedgies will rarely eat a mealies or crickets, such boring appetites.
My hedgies will rarely eat a mealies or crickets, such boring appetites.
AlbertaGirl
Expert Wheel Scrubber
I have hornworms for my bearded dragon, so if they grow too big for the hedgies it's not a problem. I just thought they might like a change of pace! Ronnie loves mealworms but can't eat them any more because of her gums. I thought a soft bodied worm might be easier for her. And Phoebe, well... Phoebe just likes to eat.
