Superworm Care Guide: Storage, Feeding & FAQ

Superworm Care Guide: Storage, Feeding, and FAQ

Superworms (Zophobas morio) are a popular high-energy feeder insect for adult bearded dragons, blue tongue skinks, monitors, and tegus. They are easy to keep at home but have one critical rule that trips up many keepers: do NOT refrigerate superworms.

Storage

Store in a container of wheat bran or oats at room temperature. Provide occasional vegetable slices (carrot, potato, apple) for moisture. Superworms are low-maintenance — just keep them warm and fed.

Feeding to Reptiles

• Adults only: Superworms are not recommended for juvenile reptiles. Tough chitin and potential bite risk make them unsuitable for small or young animals.
• Treat frequency: 1x per week maximum. At 18% fat, regular superworm feeding causes obesity.
• Always dust with calcium + D3 before offering.
• Consider crushing the head with tongs before feeding to prevent potential internal bites.

FAQ

Can you refrigerate superworms?

No. Cold temperatures kill superworms. Store at room temperature only. This is the opposite of mealworms, which survive in the fridge.

Do superworms bite?

Yes. Superworms have strong mandibles. While bites to humans are just a pinch, they can potentially injure reptiles if swallowed partially alive. Many keepers crush the head before feeding as a precaution.

How many superworms per feeding?

3-5 for adult bearded dragons. 5-10 for monitors/tegus. 1x per week maximum. For daily protein, use discoid roaches instead (same protein, half the fat, no bite risk).

Better alternatives?

For daily protein: discoid roaches (20% protein, 7% fat — half the fat of superworms). For low-fat supplementation: silkworms (1% fat). For calcium: BSFL (no dusting needed).

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures