Worms Questions

[Ctah_Lu]

Hi everybody, i have a few questions about worms as food for garters:

1.- Can i feed a garter with common earthworms or there is a special kind of worms?
2.- Are they parasit safe?, if not, What kind of parasites can contain the worms?

The reason for this questions is that i want to make a earthworm breeder to feed mi garter but i dont know very much about this kind of food.

Thanks, ill be waiting for an answer.

[guidofatherof5]

Feeding the correct worm is important. Remembering which worms not to feed makes it a lot easier. Avoid any compost worms. They are called redworms, panfish worms and compost worms. These worms are toxic to garters. From what I've read the risk of parasites is low.
If you are harvesting wild worms be sure the area they come from is safe, pesticide and herbicide free.

[Ctah_Lu]

thanks, so the right worm must look like this?

ncrawl4.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Yes it is. Those make my snakes drool.

[Ctah_Lu]

then ill be searching tomorrow night for some of this, and the best part is that the rain will fall for a few more days.

if i make it with the worm breeder ill let you know later. thanks again.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Earth worms take a long time to breed and grow so you'll have to be patient if you want to breed them ,it will most likely be easier to dig up a lot and keep them in a cold place like a fridge because they keep for months if they are kept cold.Here's a link to a care sheet on worms and also breeding information Earthworm Care Sheet - Earthworms as food for reptiles and amphibians - Feeder Insect culture care - The Reptilian.co.uk

[Ctah_Lu]

By the way, the redworms are toxic for all animals or only affects some reptile species?

[Invisible Snake]

By the way, the redworms are toxic for all animals or only affects some reptile species?

They are toxic to certain snakes like garters. Other animals can eat red worms, because through evolution they have developed an immunization to the toxicity of these worms.

[RedSidedSPR]

also called trout worms... By Walmart at least. Which, by the way, is a good source to get night crawlers (the safe ones) from if you can't find any.

[pinkypink]

also called trout worms... By Walmart at least. Which, by the way, is a good source to get night crawlers (the safe ones) from if you can't find any.

Is Walmart really a safe place? I want to buy larger amounts but Im not sure where is a good place to buy. Petsmart is just too expensive cause Im buying them as food...Im sure bait shops would be cheaper but Im afraid of what the worms have been feed or kept in. Is there anything to be concerned about?