Which Reptiles Species Eat Black Solider Fly Larvae?

Reptiles make excellent pets. Whether you are an adult or a child, you love them, which is why they are so popular. One of the main reasons reptile pets are so popular is that they are easy to care for. Unlike dogs and cats, they do not shed, enjoy living in their terrarium, and are easy to feed. But like many other pets, there are specific requirements for keeping pets. You have to set up their terrarium with the right temperature and living environment and feed them according to their breed's nutritional needs. Different reptiles will have different dietary needs, some small reptiles need small animals to survive every few days, and others eat only insects or fruits and vegetables.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae are suitable feeder insects for various reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. They have long been praised in the reptilian community for their nutritional benefits. BSFL has recently been recognized as the best feeder insect for many reptiles because of its naturally high calcium content.

Numerous reptile species love to eat Black Solider Fly Larvae (BSL), which are given below:

• Geckos
• New World anoles (Anolis spp.)
• Old World chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)
• Chuckwallas (Sauromalus spp.)
• Fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus)
• Crested Geckos
• Agamas (Agamidae)
• Water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus)
• Basilisk lizards (Basiliscus spp.)
• Beared Dragons
• Small or Large Monitors
• Tegus (Tupinambis spp.)
• Spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx spp.)
• Leopard Geckos
• Most skinks or tailless lizards

All of the species mentioned above can eat BSFL daily. They make a great main meal or juicy treat for many omnivorous or insectivorous reptiles and amphibians. Even picky eater such as Crested or Leopard Gecko, or Bearded Dragon, also loves to eat them regularly.

Offering BSFL to Reptile:

A general rule of thumb is to select a BSFL larvae size almost equal to the distance between your reptile eyes. Pick multiple BSFL and put in your reptile plate/bowl inside the terrarium or enclosure. You can adjust the frequency of feedings and the number of worms according to your reptile's appetite and size.

Effect of BFS on Reptiles

Black Soldier Fly larvae make healthy, nutritious feeder insects for your pet reptiles or amphibians. They have the maximum calcium concentration among all the other common feeder insects.  BSF is the only commercially produced insect that has been found to have natural positive calcium to phosphorous potentially (Ca:P) ratio (2.5:1) based on the diet they are provided.

Positive calcium to phosphorous ratio (ideally 2:1 or greater) is considered essential for reducing the incidence of secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) in insectivorous reptiles.
BSFL are also highly nutritious. They are rich in good quality protein and many amino acids (especially lysine and methionine). Black soldier fly larvae also contain numerous omega-3 fatty acids such as oleic acid, plus they also contain lauric acid, a natural anti-parasitical acid.

BSFL effect on Bearded Dragons
A recent study on bearded dragons shows that BFSL has positive effects on their growth. The study demonstrated that BSFL provides sufficient protein and calcium for the faster development of bearded dragons.
The study proved that bearded dragon hatchlings grew faster on a BSFL staple diet than those supplemented by other insects. At the end of the experiment, the BSFL group dragons weighted 35.29% more than the others, which is a huge difference!

Anti-Microbial Properties of BSFL

Amazingly, over half of the Black Soldier Fly larvae's fat content is made up of Lauric Acid, as we discussed above, which has strong antimicrobial properties and may prevent bacterial and other infections.

Black Solider Fly Larvae BSFL use is not limited only to reptiles or amphibians. They are widely used in the poultry industry, Fish industry, and Hedgehog farming

Black Solider Fly Larvae use in broiler industry:

A recent study says that BSFL boosts growth, survival for broilers. Researchers say that when chickens eat BSFL, they survive longer in the face of disease challenge, and they outperform the benefits of other commercial broiler feed. BSFL may be the new main meal for the broiler or chicken industry.

In poultry, especially in broilers, Black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFL oil) is used as a fat source.

A study conducted in the Poultry Science Department at University in Seoul, South Korea, determined if BSFL oil could impact gut health and growth in fast-growing broiler chickens.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) also used in fish food

Alongside Chicken, Fish finds Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL) very DELICIOUS. While the notion of cultivating BSFLlarva seems pretty nuts, it ends up BSFL is very different than your ordinary housefly.

BSFL meal is widely used in fish farming. Almost all the carnivorous fishes love to eat live larvae or meals. Fishes can grow significantly faster due to the high calcium content present in this BSFL.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae for hedgehogs

Did you know that hedgehogs can also be fed with black soldier fly larvae?. Even though you may get a little squeamish looking at these larvae, they're genuinely a significant part of your hedgehog's diet. If they haven't been a party to their eating cycle, now is the time to include it! Even though the Tasty Ecoflies Black Soldier Fly Larvae is a little more pricey, it's for a good reason.

BSFL is best to use in hedgehogs, fishes, chickens, or reptiles because they don't carry any diseases, and they cannot sting or bite, and, the experts claim, they won't annoy humans at picnics.

Conclusion:

• Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) contain up to 40% protein rich in essential amino acids, more than 28% lipids, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which can accomplish almost every reptiles' dietary requirement.
• BSFL is almost free from Chitin compared to mealworm, super worm, and crickets (They have Chitin, which is not digestible to your reptiles and can cause impaction).
• BSFL has a huge calcium amount and high moisture content. Many reptiles tend to gain moisture from their feed. BSF has 65% body moisture and can fulfill the moisture requirement of any reptile.
• Due to Chitin free and high moisture properties with maximum calcium level, they are best fit for any pet reptile.