Nightcrawer Question

[05brandon50]

Hey guys!

I am about to get a new (baby) snake and was planning on feeding her fish jello (thanks to the female member on this site for the recipe), pinks, and nightcrawlers.

My question is, how long do nightcrawlers stay alive after purchase? Is there a way to keep them alive longer until my baby snake can eat all of them? She's going to be very young and will not eat a whole styrofoam cup of huge nightcrawlers in a week. The only place to purchase them is at a fish and game store, and I believe atleast 20 huge worms or so come in a container.

I am a college student with a part time job, so I can't really afford a largescale breeding/caring project or anything (if it calls for it).

Thanks!

[thamneil]

Just keep them in the fridge and they should last for quite a while. Make sure they stay moist. If that isnt working out for you, you can look into something the container in this video. It talks about how to keep nightcrawlers.

Canadian Coldblood - Varanid Pavilion (http://canadiancoldblood.com/vpav.html)

[05brandon50]

I heard of keeping them in the fridge from my uncle who is a big fisherman.

Or should I just skip on the worms? I am just trying to provide a varied diet to my little one to ensure she gets a wide variety of food items. That may be possibly one reason why I like garters is their multiple food options.

Idk, thoughts?

[thamneil]

I like to mix up the feeding as much as I can. I know that I wouldn't want to eat hamburgers for the rest of my life.

If you get enjoyment out of feeding them different things, then go for it.

[guidofatherof5]

If a fridge is available then I would use it. Extends the life of the worms, saves money and time.

[05brandon50]

Has anyone tried freezing them?

[guidofatherof5]

Don't. When you thaw them out you will have a pile of goo.:D Unless of course you like goo.:D

[snake man]

I read that you should stay away from store bought worms anyone else have any thought on this?

[ProXimuS]

I think the only problem with store bought, is that sometimes Red Wigglers are mislabeled as Earthworms, and Red Wigglers are unsafe for garters to eat.

[guidofatherof5]

I read that you should stay away from store bought worms anyone else have any thought on this?

Some of the issue might be the fact with store bought you have no idea the place they were caught or the conditions they were raised in.

[ProXimuS]

Ahh yes, didn't think of that..That's a good point.

[mikem]

I buy mine at Walmart. $3 for 20.

Any recommendations for bulk purchases online?

[guidofatherof5]

There are those who have a business account with DMF Bait Co. that sell them from their business after marking them up from the whole sale price.
Let me see what I can do. I'll call you.

[mikem]

Thanks :)

[Invisible Snake]

I buy mine at Walmart. $3 for 20.

Any recommendations for bulk purchases online?

You can try Canadian Nightcrawlers - Premium Live Bait Worms for Fishing (http://www.canadiannightcrawlers.com) , I'm going to purchase from them in a couple of weeks.

[guidofatherof5]

That's a pretty good price for 500 worms.