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Well, like any protein, it should only be fed about once a month, since it can lead to health problems. With meal worms specifically, I think they can be a bit difficult to digest, and don't have that much nutrition to start with.

Thanks. Yes , I know that meal worms have a long amount of protein , but it may be sutable for res under 1 year. If we make meal worms that have high calcium/phosphorus ratio and have mauch nutrition , will there be any other problams?(except for difficult digestion)

Gee, the mealworms in cans I've seen here have only about 17% protein; I've never considered them to be a high-protein food (unless live ones are different). The ca/phos ratio, however is terrible, and with growing hatchlings (under 1 year) you'd want them to have abundant calcium in the diet for their growing shells and bones. They have little nutritional value, and unless they've recently shed their skins, they are very difficult to digest.

How do you propose creating mealworms that have are lower in protein and have a high ca/phos ratio????

You can include an occasional mealworm or two in a diet that has good balance. The problem is that turtles usually love them and it's easy to wind up feeding them too frequently since you know your turtle will eagerly eat them. If this is done, over time it can lead to an unhealthy diet and health problems.

Thanks , One of my friends is a veterinarian , and he claims that he has found a way to make mealworms with high ca/phos ratio and no changes to the protein. Do u think it works?

I haven't the faintest idea. How does your friend do this, and what is the final ca/phos ratio of the mealworms?

I still wouldn't make mealworms a major part of the diet.

With special diet.(It is a secret)

Well, it sounds like he's trying to gut-load them (feed them a diet high in calcium).

Yes , I think so.

When I bred meal worms for my mice(the kids let the mealworms go last summer...) I feed them infant rice cearel with formula mixed in it. That way they where full of calcium.

Thanks , but I think my friend does somthing else.Do you think high ca/phos ratio which is obtain in this way , will still make mealworm harmful for res?

a-b - I would stick to pellets for turtles. They are well balanced. You can give the meal worms once a week and veggies once a week. The only other thing I give them is calcium added to the pellets and cuddle bone. m.

BullDog wrote:Well, like any protein, it should only be fed about once a month, since it can lead to health problems. With meal worms specifically, I think they can be a bit difficult to digest, and don't have that much nutrition to start with.

NO.

RES can, but really should NOT have to live off protein once a month. They should have small amounts of protein once a week, they metabolize it well without UV lighting for a reason. They aren't like humans who can live without meat, the protein in plant material and pellets is different from the protein in meat. With UV lighting speeding up their metabolism, protein once a month goes through them way to quickly, and doesn't last long enough.

Protein does not cause pyramiding. I gave my turtles protein only (I knew NOTHING about turtles back then) for way longer than they needed it and they did not get pyramiding or have any health problems. If protein was that bad they would have had some big issues by now.

Protein stimulates muscle growth, keeps a turtle strong and active. When a turtle is recovering from a respiratory infection, or another curable illness, extra protein helps them get their energy and strength back, and keeps them more content in the long run.

Nowadays, most of us believe pyramiding and other health issues are linked to improper diet and overfeeding, rather than one particular nutrient.

I'm sorry if you feel like I am jumping on you, but this is my personal experience with both of my turtles.

apb wrote:Thanks , but I think my friend does somthing else.Do you think high ca/phos ratio which is obtain in this way , will still make mealworm harmful for res?

Meal worms should be a once a week treat at best. There are better proteins from live food out there, like feeder guppies or gutloaded crickets.

Thanks theartbook35.

mikee wrote:a-b - I would stick to pellets for turtles. They are well balanced. You can give the meal worms once a week and veggies once a week. The only other thing I give them is calcium added to the pellets and cuddle bone. m.

Thanks , I khow source of Ca and use cattle bone , I took mealworms an essensional meal , no as a source of Ca.