Can Salamanders Eat Superworms?

If you keep a salamander as a pet, you’ve probably spent some time exploring different feeding options. There are plenty of insects sold in pet stores, and one of the most eye-catching is the superworm. These long, wiggly larvae are full of energy and easy to find. Can salamanders eat superworms?

Salamanders can eat superworms, but only occasionally and with care. Superworms are large, tough, and harder to digest. They should be offered rarely and only to salamanders big enough to handle them safely.

What Are Superworms?

Superworms are the larval stage of a beetle called Zophobas morio. They’re often confused with mealworms, but superworms are much bigger.

They have thick, strong bodies and tend to move around a lot, which makes them more exciting prey for animals that hunt by movement.

You’ll often see them used as food for lizards, frogs, and birds. They’re high in fat and protein, which makes them appealing for animals that need a lot of energy.

At first glance, it might seem like they’d be a great treat for a hungry salamander. But their size and structure can make them difficult or even risky for some species.

Superworms are not soft-bodied like earthworms. They have a hard outer layer that protects them, and that layer can be difficult for some salamanders to digest properly.

In addition to being physically tough, superworms also have strong jaws. They are capable of biting when handled or swallowed alive.

For salamanders with soft mouths and sensitive skin, that can be a problem.

Are Superworms Safe for Salamanders?

Superworms are not poisonous, and some salamanders can eat them without issue. But that doesn’t mean they are a safe or ideal food.

In fact, they come with several risks that you should think about before adding them to your salamander’s diet.

The first risk is their size. Superworms are quite thick and long. If your salamander is small, it might struggle to grab or swallow the worm.

Trying to eat prey that’s too large can lead to choking or regurgitation. It’s not worth the risk, especially if your salamander is young or not used to large meals.

Another concern is their tough exoskeleton. This shell is made of chitin, a material that some salamanders have a hard time breaking down.

Eating too many superworms can lead to digestion problems, like bloating or impaction. That means the worm material gets stuck in the digestive tract, causing pain or even death if not resolved.

There’s also the issue of biting. A live superworm can sometimes bite back.

That might happen when the salamander is trying to swallow it or after it’s already in the mouth.

While this doesn’t happen every time, it’s a real risk. Some pet owners avoid this problem by crushing the worm’s head before feeding.

Which Salamanders Can Eat Them?

Not all salamanders are the same when it comes to feeding. Large species, like tiger salamanders, are more likely to handle superworms successfully.

These salamanders have big mouths and strong jaws. They’re used to eating larger, tougher prey. If you have a tiger salamander or another large terrestrial species, a small superworm might be fine once in a while.

But smaller salamanders should not be fed superworms. That includes species like red backed salamanders, and red salamanders.

These animals may have trouble chewing or swallowing superworms, even if they appear interested in chasing them.

If you aren’t sure whether your salamander is large enough, it’s better not to take the risk.

There are plenty of safer food options that offer the same nutritional value without the risk of choking or digestive problems.

How to Feed Superworms Safely

If you want to try feeding superworms, it’s important to take a few safety steps first. The most important one is to choose the right size.

Not all superworms are full-grown. You can find smaller ones that may be easier for your salamander to handle. Young worms are still firm but not quite as tough as adult ones.

You should also crush the worm’s head before feeding. This may sound unpleasant, but it prevents the worm from biting your salamander.

Once stunned, the worm can’t harm your pet during or after feeding. Some people use feeding tongs to hold the worm and deliver it directly to the salamander, which helps you monitor the process closely.

Only offer one superworm at a time. Watch to make sure it is swallowed fully and doesn’t cause trouble. Don’t offer another one right away.

Wait a few days and see how your salamander reacts. If there are any signs of bloating, lethargy, or strange behavior, stop using superworms and return to more familiar foods.

Are Superworms Nutritious?

Superworms are high in fat and protein, which gives them strong short-term value. They provide a lot of energy in a small package.

But they don’t offer everything your salamander needs. As a main food source, they are unbalanced. Over time, a diet based heavily on superworms can lead to excess weight, poor skin condition, or digestive strain.

Their tough shell also raises the risk of calcium deficiency. If a salamander doesn’t get enough calcium in its diet, or if its food is too difficult to digest, it can develop soft bones, weak limbs, or metabolic issues.

You can reduce these risks by gut-loading the worms before feeding. That means feeding the worms nutritious food for a day or two before offering them to your pet.

You can also dust the worms lightly with calcium powder to add extra minerals. These steps help improve the quality of the food but don’t solve every problem.

Superworms should always be seen as a treat, not a daily food. They are best used now and then to add variety or reward a healthy appetite.

What to Feed Instead

For most salamanders, soft and easy food is the best choice.

Earthworms are a top option. They are rich in nutrients, easy to chew, and very gentle on the digestive system. Most salamanders love them and accept them easily.

Crickets are another safe option, especially for land species. They’re easy to find in pet stores, and they can be gut-loaded for extra nutrition.

Aquatic salamanders usually do well with bloodworms or blackworms. These can be offered live or frozen and are easy to swallow.

Waxworms and mealworms can be used occasionally, though they are also high in fat. Like superworms, they should not be the main food.

If you offer a mix of these foods, your salamander will get the nutrients it needs without the added stress that comes from hard or oversized prey.

Conclusion

Salamanders can eat superworms, but it’s not something you should do often. Superworms are big, tough, and full of fat. While they offer energy, they also carry risks.

Small salamanders may choke on them. Larger ones may still struggle to digest the hard shell. And in some cases, the worms can bite, adding another layer of danger.

If you decide to use superworms, choose small ones, crush the head, and watch your salamander closely afterward. Feed them only once in a while and never rely on them as the main food.

Safer choices like earthworms, crickets, and bloodworms give your salamander what it needs without the risk.

With the right diet, your salamander will stay healthy, grow well, and live a longer, happier life.