Silkworms (Bombyx mori) have long been known outside of the herp hobby. Cultivated for centuries, this species no longer exists in the wild and only continues on as a domesticated insect - they’re like the bug equivalent of a cow! Fortunately for you and your scaly friends, there is more to silkworms than fancy threads for clothes or textiles.

Which reptiles and amphibians should eat silkworms? The short answer is any critter that can fit silkworms in its mouth! Silkworms are soft-bodied, making them easy to digest. Silkworms are initially packed as small worms (typically around 1/2 an inch or so in length) and can grow up to 4 inches with enough food. That size variance means they’re appropriate for a wide variety of herps. Here’s a list of reptiles and amphibians that love silkworms:

• Bearded Dragons
• Chameleons
• Leopard Geckos
• Crested Geckos
• Blue Tongue Skinks
• Water Dragons
• Smaller Monitor species
• White’s Tree Frogs and other large tree frogs (especially if tong-trained)
• Smooth-Sided Toads and other medium to large toads
• Pac-Man Frogs
• Other reptiles and amphibians that love a juicy bug

Now that you know which reptiles and amphibians can be fed with silkworms, there’s another question to ponder. Why would you want to feed silkworms to your insectivore pets? Let's break down the top 3 reasons:

1. Silkworms are highly nutritious
2. Silkworms are easy to house and maintain
3. Silkworms are a great way to add variety to your pet’s diet

Silkworms are highly nutritious

Silkworms are packed full of vitamins and minerals. According to many sources—a couple of which are linked below—silkworms are one of the most nutritious feeder insects available. Silkworms are naturally low in fat and high in calcium and protein. They’re also full of trace minerals like iron and vitamins A (retinol), B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and E (tocopherol). Silkworms are raised on a diet of almost nothing but mulberry leaves, and they pass all that leafy goodness right on to your reptile or amphibian.

Silkworms are easy to house and maintain

All silkworms sold by Josh’s Frogs come in a self-sufficient container that will house the silkworms for 1 to 2 weeks. All you need to do is routinely empty out their waste, which will appear as dark colored balls about the size of a BB. If the food dries out (most likely in very dry climates, or during winter when the furnace is running), you can rehydrate it with a light misting of R/O (Reverse Osmosis) or distilled water—just make sure not to mist any silkworms directly.

Silkworms are also easy to feed out. They’re slow-moving and very clumsy, making it nearly impossible for any to escape into your house. It’s easy to feed silkworms via tongs or a dish, or even by placing them on a branch, leaf, or other tank décor. Avoid feeding silkworms to your herp pets by placing them directly on loose substrate—your critter can accidentally consume the substrate, resulting in an impaction.

Silkworms are a great way to add variety to your pet’s diet

Silkworms are unique in the feeder insect world. They may look like other “worms” (hornworms, superworms, waxworms, etc.), but their texture and movements are completely different. They won’t try to run or hide. Instead, they slowly move around the enclosure while waving that tasty body around.

Silkworms offer a nice change of pace for insect-eating reptiles and amphibians. They’re vastly different from crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, and other common feeders, making them a great addition to your feeder insect rotation. Think of silkworms as a super nutritious smoothie. You probably don’t eat one every day, but when you do, it’s a great source of nutrition and a highly appreciated change.

If you’re looking to add even more variety to your pet reptile or amphibian’s diet, make sure to check out our feeder bundles. We’ve put together a winning menu of various feeders to ensure your beloved scale baby gets a nutritious, varied diet—shipped right to your door!

Conclusion

Have you fed silkworms to your pet reptile or amphibian yet? Why not? Silkworms are an amazing feeder, and more readily available than ever before. They’re nutritious, easy to keep, and a great way to improve your pet’s diet. Order some silkworms from Josh’s Frogs today!

Links of Interest

• 2021 Study: "Nutritional, functional, and allergenic properties of silkworm pupae"
• 2023 study: "Nutritional Value of Silkworm Pupae (Bombyx mori) with Emphases on Fatty Acids Profile and Their Potential Applications for Humans and Animals"