Yes, leopard geckos can eat superworms, but they are best as a treat for adults rather than a staple. Superworms are bigger, fattier and lower in calcium than crickets or dubia roaches, so give an adult 2 to 4 superworms once or twice a week, dusted with calcium, as part of a varied diet. Do not feed them to babies or small juveniles under about 6 months, which can struggle with their size and hard shells. The old story that a swallowed superworm can eat its way out of a gecko is a myth.
Below is how many superworms to feed by age, how they compare with mealworms and other feeders, how to keep them alive, and how to serve them safely.
Can leopard geckos eat superworms?
Yes. Superworms (Zophobas morio) are the larvae of a darkling beetle, about 1.5 to 2 inches long. Most leopard geckos love them because they wriggle a lot, which makes them a good way to tempt a fussy eater. The catch is that they are high in fat and low in calcium, so a gecko fed mostly on superworms tends to get fat and short of calcium. Crickets or dubia roaches should stay the main food, with superworms as an extra.
How many superworms to feed a leopard gecko
| Age | Superworms | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (under 4 months) | None | Use small crickets or dubia roaches instead |
| Juvenile (4 to 6 months) | None, or 1 small superworm | Occasionally, once it is over about 5 inches long |
| Juvenile (6 to 12 months) | 1 to 2 | Once a week |
| Adult (over 12 months) | 2 to 4 | Once or twice a week, alongside staple insects |
| Underweight adult (on vet advice) | 3 to 5 | Two or three times a week until the tail fills out |
Watch the tail. A healthy adult's tail is about as wide as its neck. If it gets wider than the head, or you see fat bulges in the armpits, cut superworms back. Our leopard gecko food guide has a full feeding chart for every insect.
Superworms vs mealworms and other feeders
| Feeder | Fat | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Crickets | Low | Staple at any age. See our crickets guide |
| Dubia roaches | Low to medium | Staple at any age |
| Mealworms | Medium | Regular extra, or a staple in a dish |
| Superworms | High | Treat for adults and older juveniles |
| Waxworms | Very high | Rare treat, or to tempt a gecko that is not eating |
Superworms are not simply big mealworms. They are a different species, are about twice as long, and are fattier. Mealworms are the better everyday worm; superworms are the bigger reward.
Are superworms safe for leopard geckos?
- Biting. Superworms have small jaws and can nip. An adult leopard gecko usually kills one with its first bite, so this is rarely a problem. If you are worried, crush the head with tongs before feeding.
- "Eating their way out." A myth. Once swallowed, a superworm dies quickly in the stomach.
- Impaction. A healthy adult kept warm digests superworms without trouble. The risk goes up with babies, overly large worms, a cool tank, or loose substrate swallowed with the worm. Keep the warm spot at 90 to 95°F (see our temperature guide) and see our impaction guide for the signs.
- Weight gain. The main real risk. Too many superworms make a gecko fat and fussy about other insects.
How to feed superworms to a leopard gecko
- Gut load them for 24 hours with a commercial gut load such as Repashy SuperLoad, or carrot, squash and greens.
- Dust them with calcium powder, since superworms are low in calcium. Use a multivitamin once a week as usual.
- Offer them with tongs or in a smooth, deep dish such as an Exo Terra worm dish, so they cannot burrow into the substrate.
- Feed in the evening, when leopard geckos are most active, and remove any uneaten worms the next morning.
How to keep superworms alive
- Keep them warm, not cold. Unlike mealworms, superworms die in the fridge. Keep them at room temperature, about 70 to 80°F.
- Use a ventilated tub with 1 to 2 inches of wheat bran or rolled oats as bedding and food.
- Add moisture with food, not water. A slice of carrot or potato, replaced every few days before it goes mouldy.
- Keep them together. A superworm kept alone in a small space often turns into a pupa. In a crowded tub they stay as worms for weeks or months.
Buy from a reptile shop or online. Live superworms usually ship in counts of 50 to 250, enough for one adult gecko for several months if you keep them warm and fed.
Leopard gecko superworms FAQ
Can leopard geckos eat superworms?
Yes, as a treat for adults and older juveniles. They are fatty and low in calcium, so keep crickets or dubia roaches as the main food.
How many superworms should a leopard gecko eat?
An adult can have 2 to 4 superworms once or twice a week. Juveniles over 6 months can have 1 or 2 a week. Babies should not have them.
Can baby leopard geckos eat superworms?
No. They are too big and hard for babies. Feed small crickets or dubia roaches instead and wait until the gecko is at least 6 months old.
Can superworms hurt leopard geckos?
Rarely. They can nip, so offer them with tongs or crush the head first. The idea that a swallowed superworm can chew its way out is a myth.
Are superworms better than mealworms for leopard geckos?
No. Superworms are fattier, so they suit occasional treats. Mealworms are the better everyday worm.
Do superworms need to be refrigerated?
No. Unlike mealworms, superworms die in the cold. Keep them at room temperature in wheat bran or oats with a slice of carrot.
Why are my superworms turning into pupae?
Superworms kept alone or with too much space start to pupate. Keep them crowded together in one tub to stop them changing.