NomSafeNovember: The pros and cons of red wigglers
Hello, and welcome back to #NomSafeNovember! On our agenda today: the pros and cons of red wiggler worms.
So, what is a red wiggler? What makes it different from other worms commonly used for feeding?
Red wigglers are part of the Eisenia genus of worms. They go by many names, some of which include: tiger worms, trout worms, brandling worms, composting worms, and manure worms. Outside of axolotl and salamander food, red wigglers are most commonly used for composting purposes, and they're characterized by their reddish-brown color, stripes, and yellow colored tail end.
Red wigglers differ from Canadian and European nightcrawlers because they do not belong to the dendrobaena genus. They are often smaller, thinner, and they actually have differing nutritional values! Okay, so with that in mind...
What is the nutritional breakdown of a red wiggler?
Red wigglers contain approximately:
11.0 % crude protein
2.0% crude fat
84.0% moisture
They also contain high amounts of beneficial amino acids and minerals (such as calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorous, and manganese).
Can red wigglers be used as a complete staple axolotl food?
Yes! Red wigglers, although not a dendrobaena worm, are a complete staple food option for your axolotl—though you'll need to feed more worms than you would with a larger type of worm, simply due to the size difference. (Keep an eye on your axolotls to make sure they're full, and don't be surprised if your serving size is 3-5 worms, as opposed to a single nightcrawler...)
Where can I find red wigglers?
These worms can be found at most local pet/fish stores as well as online. Here at LLA, we often order worms from online vendors like Uncle Jim's Worm Farm in order to start our own worm farms—one of the most cost effective ways to maintain a staple live food supply for your axolotl. Baby red wigglers are a great size for sub-adult axolotls, and as the axolotl grows we are able to feed them larger and larger red wigglers until they are ready to graduate to something even larger!
What are the pros of using red wigglers as a staple food?
Red wigglers are smaller than their counterparts. This size may be more suitable for juveniles, and may eliminate or decrease the need to cut up the worms. Another upside to these worms is they do not need to stay as cool/refrigerated like the other worm types, and could sit out on a counter.
So, what’s the down side, then?
Red wigglers have less overall protein content than their dendrobaena counterparts. This does not make them a bad choice, but if you are looking for a high protein diet this may not be the ideal worm choice.
Additionally, these worms have a defense mechanism: when they become distressed, they produce a bitter tasting slime. The axolotls can find this slime to be unappealing, and they will refuse the worm.
An easy fix is to blanch the worm by running it under very hot water (it’s also recommended to then run it under cold water to prevent the worm from being too hot for the axolotl). Blanching the worms eliminates the slime, but some axolotls may be picky and refuse a worm that is not wiggling/alive.
Questions?
Share them here in the comments, or send our team a message; we’re always happy to help. And be sure to ask us how to join our Axolotl Help group here on Facebook, where we combine all of our expertise and experience to help axolotls live their best lives!
