Cutting mandibles off superworms

[Bunndale]

Hi all, my first post & I couldn’t find this specific answer in the forum search.

I read all the horror stories about superworms but my Leo seemed to be doing just fine with them. Yesterday I noticed he had a small scratch-like mark on his nose area and I’m pretty sure it’s a superworm nick because it’s slightly curved like the shape of a superworms mouth/mandibles.

I read in another post that someone cuts the supers mandibles before feeding to their Leo which I started doing today as I definitely don’t want him getting his face bit while he eats them lol (hands were shaking at first :coverlaugh

Anyways, my question is does anyone know if the supers can still eat and be gut loaded after their mandibles are cut? Can their mouth do any eating and chewing of food without the mandibles.
I usually put four in the food bowl for Merlin (my beautiful Leo) and he generally eats one or two.
I don’t want to flush & waste remaining uneaten live worms if they can still be gut loaded after having their mandibles cut.

Odd question I know!

Thanks in advance :biggrin:

 

[acpart]

I have a feeling they need their mandibles for eating. I've been feeding super worms to juvenile and adult geckos for years and never had a problem. The super worms can nip occasionally but it's not a big deal. I don't know if removing the mandibles is worth the effort.

Aliza

 

[GeckoLeen]

I would agree with Aliza. I've been feeding superworms for about 3 years now, with no problems.