Silkworms vs Waxworms: Premium Feeder vs Junk Food

Silkworms vs Waxworms: The Healthy Treat vs the Junk Food

Both silkworms and waxworms are treats that reptiles love — but the nutritional difference is extreme. Silkworms at 1% fat are the leanest feeder available. Waxworms at 25% fat are the fattiest. One is a premium supplement you can offer regularly. The other is junk food that creates feeding behavior problems when overused.

The Waxworm Addiction Problem

This is the most dangerous aspect of waxworms that many new keepers do not realize until it is too late. Waxworms are so fatty and palatable that many bearded dragons and leopard geckos become addicted — refusing all other feeders and holding out for more waxworms. Breaking this addiction can take weeks of food refusal, weight loss, and stress for both the animal and the keeper.

Silkworms trigger strong feeding responses without creating addiction. Your reptile will eat them eagerly but will also readily accept discoid roaches, BSFL, and other feeders at the next meal. No behavioral problems, no food refusal, no addiction cycle.

When to Use Each

Silkworms: Regular supplement, 2-3x per week. Safe, healthy, no behavioral downsides. The treat you can offer without guilt.

Waxworms: Very rare treat — once every 2 weeks at absolute most. Useful only for enticing critically sick animals back to food. Many experienced keepers avoid waxworms entirely.

If you are currently using waxworms regularly, switching to silkworms gives your reptile a treat-like feeder with 25x less fat and zero addiction risk.

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures