Live Calci Worms
for reptiles —
the complete guide.
British-farmed live BSFL for insectivorous reptiles. Higher calcium than any other feeder insect. No dusting required. Ideal for bearded dragons, leopard geckos, chameleons and more.
The calcium advantage — why Calci Worms are named what they are
The name “Calci Worm” comes directly from their extraordinary calcium content. Live BSFL contain approximately 37 times more calcium than dried mealworms on a comparable fresh weight basis — a figure that is not marketing copy but a well-established nutritional comparison used throughout the reptile keeping community.
This matters enormously for reptiles. Calcium deficiency in insectivorous reptiles leads to metabolic bone disease (MBD) — a preventable but serious condition that causes softening of the skeleton, tremors, and ultimately death. Most feeder insects have a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which is why reptile keepers traditionally have to dust crickets and mealworms with calcium powder. Calci Worms do not require dusting — their Ca:P ratio is naturally optimal.
No dusting needed. Live Calci Worms have a naturally beneficial calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. They can be offered straight from the tube as a standalone feeder without calcium or vitamin D3 supplementation at every feed. This simplifies your feeding routine significantly.
Calci Worms vs other feeder insects
| Feeder insect | Calcium (mg/100g) | Ca:P ratio | Dusting needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Calci Worms (BSFL) | ~930mg | 1.5:1 (good) | No |
| Crickets | ~28mg | ~0.14:1 (poor) | Yes — always |
| Mealworms | ~25mg | ~0.07:1 (very poor) | Yes — always |
| Waxworms | ~28mg | ~0.1:1 (poor) | Yes |
| Dubia roaches | ~71mg | ~0.3:1 (low) | Recommended |
Species guides
Bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are enthusiastic Calci Worm feeders. Their omnivorous nature and calcium requirements make BSFL an ideal staple feeder alongside leafy greens and other vegetables. Juveniles can be fed daily; adults 3–5 times per week as part of a varied diet.
Offer worms in a shallow dish or tongs for juveniles, or scatter on the floor of the vivarium for adults to encourage natural foraging. Start with 5–10 worms per feed for juveniles, up to 20–30 for large adults.
Leopard geckos
Leopard geckos take well to Calci Worms and their calcium content helps prevent MBD in adults. Feed 2–3 times per week, offering 6–10 worms per session for adult animals. Juveniles can be fed more frequently — daily or every other day — as they grow rapidly.
Leopard geckos are crepuscular, so feed in the evening when they are naturally active. Movement attracts their attention — live Calci Worms’ slow wriggling is well within their strike range.
Crested geckos
Crested geckos are primarily fed commercial fruit-based diets but benefit from live insect feeding 2–3 times per week for protein and enrichment. Calci Worms are a good choice — they move slowly enough for crested geckos to catch, and their calcium content complements the fruit diet well.
Offer 3–6 worms per session for adults. Ensure worms are not larger than the space between the gecko’s eyes.
Chameleons
Chameleons are visual hunters and respond to movement. Calci Worms move slowly compared to crickets, so cup-feeding or tong-feeding works better than scatter feeding for this species. Their high calcium requirement makes BSFL a genuinely valuable staple alongside crickets and locusts.
Feed adults 4–6 times per week with a varied insect diet; include Calci Worms as 30–50% of the insect portion to leverage the calcium content.
Frogs, toads & amphibians
Many species of frog and toad eat BSFL readily. The calcium content is beneficial for amphibians prone to nutritional deficiencies from staple cricket diets. Offer as a supplement 2–3 times per week alongside other feeder insects. Ensure worms are appropriately sized — no larger than the width of the animal’s head.
British-farmed live Calci Worms
Dispatched alive from Yoxall, Staffordshire. Natural calcium, no dusting required.