Feeding and Nutrition :: Mealworm vs Silkworm or Earthworm

[swlin]

http://www.redearslider.com/prey.html

Why is mealworm a medium and high risk food for turtles? and Why are silkworm and earthworm considered moderate food? I just bought a can of mealworm. I guess I can't feed it to my turtles?

[swlin]

no one knows? I guess I can feed them a little since my friend always feed her turtles mealworm and it doesn't seem to have a problem

[jenaero]

Mealworms have no real nutritional value, and can be difficult to digest. They should be offered as an occasional snack rather than a staple in the diet.

Silkworms and earthworms are a better alternative.

[zoologist]

mealworms are high in protien, and their hard shell is hard to digest.

[marisa]

If you feed the canned mealworms and look at the nutritional composition, you'll see that the protein content is really not very high. But, neither is the nutritional value. Their skins are hard to digest, especially if they haven't shed. And they're really bad in that they'll just about suck the calcium out of the system if they're feed too much or too often.

For worms, silkworms are relatively good for calcium. Earthworms supply protein and a variety of nutrients.