European Nightcrawler

[Lisa4john]

Hi, I was just wondering if you know about these as opposed to Canadian nightcrawlers. They say they are able to be kept at room temperatures which would be very helpful. Thanks :)

[guidofatherof5]

Lob worm (Lumbricus terrestris) = Canadian night crawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) Safe for garters.

European nightcrawler, Eisenia hortensis or Dendrobaena veneta Not sure if these are safe.

I know that Eisenia fetida (red worms, red wigglers, panfish worms) is a no-no due to their toxic nature.

[Lisa4john]

OK, thanks. :) I guess I'll keep looking for Canadian nightcrawlers. I don't want to take any chances.

[thamneil]

From my experience, European nightcrawler is safe. I have fed them to horned frogs as a staple item. Never tried them with Thamnophis though.

[guidofatherof5]

From what I understand one of the Eisenia's subspecies is safe for garters but I don't remember which one though.

[thamneil]

I often hear it refered to as Dendrobaena up here. It seems to be relatively common with amphibian keepers.

[guidofatherof5]

I will say that just because they are safe for horned frogs doesn't mean they would be safe garter snakes. I think more evidence would be needed before I fed then to garters.
Just my opinion.

[thamneil]

I agree with you 100%. I couldnt even tell you if they were completely safe for the frogs. Who knows what kind of long term effects could arise.

[ConcinusMan]

Euro night crawlers are fine. Not much different than Canadian.

[guidofatherof5]

Euro night crawlers are fine. Not much different than Canadian.

That all depends on the scientific name of the worm itself.
As we all know worms of many species can be called by the same common name.

[ConcinusMan]

Typically any worms I find around here labeled by that name are virtually identical to canadians. As long as they're night crawlers (flattened tail type earthworm) you're OK.

[gregmonsta]

Good source of the good stuff for Brits - Fishing Worms and Bait - Lobworms | Worms Direct (http://www.wormsdirectuk.co.uk/acatalog/lobworms.html) ... pop 'em in the fridge and they last a good while.

[Lisa4john]

Thanks for all the info. :)

[Invisible Snake]

I thought European nightcrawlers were compost worms and would be toxic to garters?

[ConcinusMan]

I don't think so, but anything is possible since people abuse common names. True night crawlers are earthworms with a flattened tail. The european species is just a bit redder and smaller than north american or "canadian" night crawlers but all night crawlers have one thing in common. That flattened tail with spines or "hairs" on it.

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think so, but anything is possible since people abuse common names. True night crawlers are earthworms with a flattened tail. The european species is just a bit redder and smaller than north american or "canadian" night crawlers but all night crawlers have one thing in common. That flattened tail with spines or "hairs" on it.

Setae.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, what he said^^^