The Nature Photography Thread

[abcat1993]

Sounds like something from a 60s horror movie. "Attack of the Giant Mealworms". Although "Superworm" sounds pretty good too.

[drache]

I had no idea that they're meal worms on steroids
some beardie people swear by them
I prefer to feed my beardie other prey and throw these in for variety
they're the only prey, besides butter worms, my plated lizards will eat
and they're easy to keep
well, perhaps I ought to feed them off more quickly though
I don't think beetles are that good to eat for lizards, are they?

[stonyloam]

When my brother and I were kids we raised mealworms (pretty easy just put some cattle feed under some cardboard and they find it) and we used to take them out and toss them to the bats that would feed around the yard light. Yeah life was pretty exciting on the farm.

[abcat1993]

No, Rhea, they generally aren't. Most things with really hard shells are not good for lizards as far as I know. You aren't even supposed to feed mealworms to anoles.

[GarterGuy]

Super worms are mealworms that are fed food containing steroids to make them larger. They are a favorite of the Bearded Dragon, for one of many herps that will eat them.

Ummmm.....actually what is commonly sold as superworms are Zophobas morio (a tropical Tenebrionid beetle). They do sell extra large mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) that are given a steroid to prevent them from turning into beetles and using that energy instead to grow larger (although I have had some metamorphose..and the beetles aren't any bigger). My leopard gecko, blue tongue skink and tarantulas love the superworms.
That beetle does look a lot like a poorly metamorphosed adult mealworm or other Tenebrionid beetle.
Roy

[drache]

the ones I get seem different from meal worms to me - more active and vigorous for one
of course if they're on the right kinds of steroids . . .
these are more like meal worms on, uh, caffeine

[Stefan-A]

[LeapinLeo]

those are cool seagulls. What are they sitting on?

[Stefan-A]

That's a man-made seagull "nest". Just a pole a few meters out in the water, with a platform. Keeps them from building nests where you don't want them to (in your boat, on the pier) and it provides them with a place that is safe from predators (at least those that can't fly).

It's the same ritual every year. When we get to our summer cottage for the first time each spring (need to wait for the ice to break up first), the same couple (we assume) is already waiting for us to put their old nest back. We've done it the same way every year for over a decade (in another spot for about two) and it works perfectly.

[Sid]

Really cool shot of the gulls Stephan.

Sid