Hornworm Habitat Cup for Sale
Hornworms are a soft, juicy feeder, usually the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Their high moisture content hydrates the animals that eat them, and their soft body has no hard shell, so it digests easily. This is the Habitat-Cup, the larger screened cup that lets you grow the worms bigger or keep them longer. It holds 25 small hornworms with plenty of food to raise them up.
A Soft, Hydrating Feeder
Hornworms run about 85% water, so they help hydrate reptiles and amphibians that do not drink readily. Their soft body suits picky eaters, young animals, and pets prone to impaction. Their bright color and wiggling movement also draw a strong feeding response. So they make a useful treat alongside your staple feeders.
The feeder hornworms are captive-bred on a safe chow, which is why they are safe to offer. Never feed wild hornworms, since those eat nightshade plants and can be toxic.
Habitat-Cup or Eco-Cup?
The Habitat-Cup is larger, with screened sides the worms climb and extra food, so you can grow them to a larger size or hold them longer. If you would rather feed off quickly, or just test whether your pet likes hornworms, the cheaper Eco-Cup is the better pick. To start with bigger worms, see the large Habitat-Cup.
Dust and Feed as a Treat
Despite some claims, hornworms are not a calcium source. They carry more phosphorus than calcium, much like crickets, so dust them with a supplement such as TC Calcium Ultra Fine before feeding. They are also low in protein and high in moisture, so offer them as a hydrating treat rather than a staple. Too many at once can loosen stool.
Care
Hornworms are simple to keep for a short time, and the cup includes their food.
Growth
They grow fast, often 1 to 2 inches a week. Keep them warm to grow them quickly, or cool, around 55 to 65°F, to slow growth and stretch their shelf life. Do not chill them too hard, since they are cold-sensitive.
Receiving
Keep the cup upside down, which keeps it fresh and extends shelf life. Store it in a cool, dark spot. If you plan to grow them longer, add more hornworm chow so they do not run out.
Best For
- Bearded dragons, chameleons, leopard geckos, and larger frogs.
- Picky eaters drawn to bright, moving prey.
- Young animals and pets prone to impaction.
- Keepers who want to grow worms to a larger size.
Not Best For
- Use as a staple, since hornworms are low in protein and very high in moisture.
- A calcium source, since they need dusting like crickets.
- Quick feed-off or testing, where the cheaper Eco-Cup fits better.
Recommended Add-Ons
- TC Calcium Ultra Fine to dust the hornworms before feeding.
- Large Habitat-Cup to start with bigger worms.
- Small Eco-Cup to feed off quickly or test your pet.
- BSFL as a calcium-rich feeder to balance the diet.
- Live Hornworms to browse all sizes and cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are hornworms?
They are caterpillars of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. They are soft, juicy, and captive-bred on a safe chow for feeding.
What is the difference between a Habitat-Cup and an Eco-Cup?
The Habitat-Cup is larger, with screened sides and more food to grow worms bigger or keep them longer. The Eco-Cup is for quick feed-off or testing.
Are hornworms high in calcium?
No. Despite common claims, they carry more phosphorus than calcium, like crickets, so dust them. Their real benefit is hydration and a soft, easy-to-digest body.
How do I care for them?
Keep them warm to grow, or cool to slow growth. Keep the cup upside down in a cool, dark spot, and add chow if growing them longer.
Can I feed wild hornworms?
No. Wild hornworms eat nightshade plants and can be toxic. Only feed captive-bred hornworms raised on a safe chow.
How often should I feed hornworms?
Use them as a treat or supplement, not a staple, since they are low in protein and high in moisture.
Learn More About Hornworms
These sources cover the biology of the tobacco hornworm and feeder supplementation.
- Manduca sexta Overview. A reference on the tobacco hornworm, including how a captive chow changes its color and how it differs from the tomato hornworm.
- NCBI: Diet and Growth in Manduca sexta. University research on how diet shapes the growth of hornworm larvae.
- ScienceDirect: Gut Loading (veterinary overview). A reference on why feeder insects need supplementation, which supports dusting hornworms for calcium.
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