Hedgehog Insects: Which Are Best?

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Hedgehog insects need to be clean and nutritional. When adding together the nutritional values of the insects plus the 2 tbsp of daily cat kibble, make sure not to go over daily intake requirements. We will discuss which insects can benefit your hedgehog most, where to get them, and how to store your hedgie's bug cuisine. The nutritional values of each insect below will vary depending on where you purchase them and how you feed them. Use the nutritional values below as loose guidelines. Within this article, you will find a helpful, downloadable insect guide on storage, handling information, and nutritional values – so read this gut loaded article from start to end.

hedgehog-exhibiting-flehmen-respnose-to-insects

Hedgehog Fun Fact

Flehmen Response: Ever see a hedgehog sniffing the air? When they have their noses in the air, their mouths open, and their teeth showing – this is the Flehmen Response! It is an INTENSE interest in smell or taste causing them to curl up their upper lip, expose their teeth, and stick their tongues out! Anointing may follow after the yummy scent has been located. Have you ever seen your hedgehog do this?

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Why Do Hedgehogs Eat Bugs?

Nutrition – Enrichment – Exercise

Hedgehog insects and bugs are valuable because...

What is The Nutritional Value of Insects?

A study conducted by the University of Helsinki revealed some interesting benefits of bugs. First up is chitin. The armored outer layer of mealworms and crickets were extracted and measured in the study. Chitin levels in the mealworms and cockroaches were 45% their total body weight when water content was removed (called dry matter content). Why is that cool? Because chitin is a polysaccharide, which helps store energy gained from food and helps with healthy bodies and minds. It basically helps hedgies digest their food.

Another reason for feeding bugs is that when fed an assortment of types, your hedgehog receives all their essential nutrients. Some worms have a heavier exoskeleton which gives fiber, some bugs are high in calcium naturally, others high in protein and amino acids like taurine. Taurine is a naturally occurring essential amino acid inside of the insect's organs and skeletal tissue. The amount of taurine your hedgehog receives in their their cat kibble or raw diet plus the insects a hedgehog can eat, helps with metabolic and neurological functions like eye health. A study on amounts of taurine in some insects can be found here.

Chitin
[ki-ten]

Did you know that Chitin is also called animal fiber? And, its Greek name is χιτών, literally meaning covering.

Hedgehog Insects Cause Enrichment

Enrichment

Your little hedgie is equipped with some hunting skills they need to ensure the proper consumption of healthy sources of nutrients. While hunting, they should be encouraged to hunt for their food to work those calories they consume. When they exercise they transform calories into things their body can use to improve things like bone strength, gut health, and healthier temperaments. Take them back as close as you can to their roots in nature.

If the hedgehog can run after, chase, chomp at, and dig for their meal, they are getting a very rewarding experience. Some hedgehogs will not do this right away (or at all), so just keep offering your hedgie different kinds of bugs. Maybe they'll soon accept the bug cuisine life, or you can just easily supplement to fit their needs by sprinkling something like this on their food.

The Hunt Promotes Exercise

Running after their meals will increase their heart rates quite a bit. For overweight hedgehogs, this is actually a method of weight loss – offering more active meals that require running after. Digging is a favorite activity for most hedgehogs, and we bet they will love hunting too. But then again, some may not. If that happens, try bug feeding in the water or in a dig or sand box! One of our favorite things to do is to place the hedgehog inside a plastic tote and then offer dubia roaches so they cannot escape your quilly friend's chompers! We talked about healthy hedgehog weight in a previous article in case you're curious for more weight management tips, like the ones we mentioned above.

How to Gut Load Hedgehog Insects

Gut loading is feeding the hedgehog insects the food and moisture that you want them to break down for your hedgie. Otherwise, your hedgehog may not benefit from vegetables and fruits when eaten directly. That's because of their lack of cecum which is needed to break down plant cells. How do we get those nutrients into them? Gut loading and supplements! Feeder insects may be high in fiber and protein but they are low on other nutrients. Feeding hedgehog insects a special diet 24 hours before they are consumed by your hedgie will be enough time for the bug to process the benefits. It is a great way to make the insects more nutritional and tastier for those pickier quilly eaters.

When the insects are in their tubs, give them an oatmeal bedding to lay in. For food, give them a fresh potato, apple, or even a carrot and some lettuce to consume. If you feed them Repashy's insect gut loader, you won't need to give the insects moisture during this process because the powder is mixed with water. Additionally, you may sprinkle the insects with some calcium supplement like this Repashy Calcium Plus shortly before feeding. According to Science Direct's Gut Loading article: Sprinkling supplement powder on the hedgehog's insects before consumption is not enough, and storing the gut loading mixture improperly can decrease nutrient values.

Mealworms For Hedgehogs

Mealworms and are they really that fattening?

mealworms are not the best hedgehog insects but can be gut loaded for better value.

Nutritional Content:

  • Fat: 6-13%
  • Protein: 20-22%
  • Fiber: 2%
  • Calcium: 169 mg
  • Phosphorus: 2850 mg
  • Thiamine: 2.4 mg
  • Moisture: 61.9%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:17

Are Mealworms Nutritious?

Mealworms are not the most nutritious and should not be fed daily or in large quantities. In fact, according to this research paper on improving the calcium levels of mealworms, the crawlies have a high phosphorus to calcium ratio. Why is that bad? Because high levels of phosphorus leads to heart disease and kidney issues and calcium depletion according to Science Daily. Like with anything, portions are important, but this is one worm that hedgies can do without.

Feeding Your Mealworms

Hedgehog owners can gut load mealworms 24 hours before feeding to their hedgies by using something like Repashy Superfood Insect Feeder. and fruits or vegetables. Add moist fruits and veggies like potatoes and apple slices for food and water sources. Do not put water bowls inside your insects enclosures. They could drown and you can then no longer feed them to your hedgehog. A few hours before feeding, sprinkle some Repashy Calcium on them. Speaking of feeding insects to your hedgehog, you can feed two or three mealworms 3 times a week along with other insect types.

Safe Mealworm Storage

Do not put them straight into the fridge. First, mealworms should be kept on a bed of oatmeal, wheat bran, or grain cereal. They like a room temperature around 80°F/27°C. You can keep them out and continue feeding them for up to 5 weeks, assuming they are already a few weeks old when they enter your home.

Keep checking for spoilage and molting. Molting is where the mealworm will grow a chitin rich exoskeleton that becomes white and soft then extremely thick. It does this several times before transforming into its beetle form within 8 weeks or less after purchasing. Hedgies can still eat them when they do this.

To prolong the metamorphosis stages, put them inside the fridge for up to one month at 45°F – 50°F/ 7°C – 10°C only after you have fed them nutrients. While in the refrigerator, they become dormant so they are not consuming any nutrients at that point, so you should gut load them beforehand. Mealies in small to large quantities can be purchased online at a pet store in live form, or freshly canned in juice.

Superworms

superworms make super hedgehog insects

Nutritional Content:

  • Fat: 17.7%
  • Protein 19.06%
  • Fiber: 2.6%
  • Calcium: 177 mg
  • Phosphorus: 2370 mg
  • Thiamine: 0.6 mg
  • Moisture: 57.9%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:13

Are Superworms Nutritious?

Superworms are the larvae of the darkling beetle. Superworms look intimidating, but they are really harmless. They have what looks like pinchers but we assure you, you and your hedgehog are safe. Your hedgehog should be a good hunter to start with. These worms have a lot of chitin as a result of all their armor, although the calcium phosphorus ratio isn't ideal enough to make this worm worthy of daily feedings.

If you choose to remove the heads, you will be removing the part which contains a lot of nutrients like chitin and calcium. You can actually just knock the superworm out by squeezing their head with some tweezers so you get that chitin and taurine value. But, even if the superworm attacks, it's nothing to be alarmed about and appears to be more hype over the internet than its worth giving. They don't hurt.

Superworm Storage and Feeding

Refrigeration will kill them, and we never recommend giving your hedgehog deceased bugs. Inside their container you should cover them with wheat bran, oatmeal, or mealworm bedding. They should be kept at room temperature, between 75°F – 82°F/23°C – 28°C for one month. For food and water sources, they require moist vegetables like potato, carrots, and apples. The Repashy insect food is also a good nutritional food for the superworms, and you can sprinkle some extra calcium on top using this Repashy vitamin and calcium supplement. Make sure to avoid mold by removing old food and changing the bedding every 1 -2 weeks. You can feed three of these per week. Superworms can be purchased at Rainbow Mealworms and shipped to Canada, U.S., and Puerto Rico.

Waxworms: Nutrition and Storage

Waxworms

COVID-19 Update on Hedgehog Insects

Due to the increase of online orders for insects not sourced in China, Rainbow Mealworms has limited stock on Superworms. We have found another trustworthy source for hedgehog insects that has them in stock, but that is a constantly changing situation. Mulberry Farms has superworms for shipping within the United States only.

hedgehogs like to eat waxworms for their calcium content!

Nutritional Value:

  • Fat: 24.9%
  • Protein: 14.1%
  • Fiber: 3.4%
  • Calcium: 243 mg
  • Phosphorus: 1950 mg
  • Thiamine: 2.5 mg
  • Moisture: 58.5%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:8

Storage of Waxworms

These hedgehog-approved waxworms are actually the caterpillar larvae stage of wax moths. Inside their containers, they will spin webs around themselves, so expect to have to go digging for these. They are actually capable of living 1 – 2 months inside your fridge or in a cool place. Speaking of the fridge, it is better to keep them in the fridge door ensuring they maintain a temperature of 55°F – 60°F/12°C – 15°C for one week. Anything below or above that and they will spoil.

Feeding Waxworms

Inside of the waxworm storage container, use grains or bran mixed with honey as a substrate/bedding to keep them fresh and fed. Add the insect nutrient powder of your choice for additional health benefits. Other foods or moisture do not need to be added, they feed off their substrate. Feed these worms twice a week just because of their fat content, and waxworms may be purchased at a pet store or from a breeder.

Calci Worms for Hedgehogs: Black Soldier Fly Larvae/Phoenix Worms

Black soldier flu larvae are probably the best hedgehog insect they can eat.

Nutritional Value:

  • Fat: 9.4%
  • Protein: 17.5%
  • Fiber: 3%
  • Calcium: 9000 mg
  • Phosphorus: 3560 mg
  • Thiamine: 7.7 mg
  • Moisture: 61.2%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 2.5:1

Are Black Soldier Flies/Phoenix Worms Nutritious?

These are two different names for the same larvae, just different brands. The phoenix worm/soldier fly (BSFL) is a calcium-packed hedgehog insect that is possibly the most nutritious and enriching. Why? Because soldier flies/phoenix worms are considered to be a calci worm for hedgehogs. Meaning it has a high naturally occurring calcium value! AND it's perfectly balanced wit a 2.5:1 Ca:P ratio! This is an insect that does not need to be gut loaded. Why? Because they already contain good amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, colbalt, and zinc! They make a delicious treat when given once daily. Their delicious smell and movements entice the hedgie to want to catch them and gobble up their other important nutritional benefits! And as a bonus, back soldier fly larvaes don't have mouth parts so they can't bite, eat, or defecate.

How to Keep BSFL/Phoenix Worms

To keep them alive once they arrive, just use the bedding bottom covered cup they come in. Remember to drop water on the bedding every two days. Keep the lid closed, and maintain at a temperature of 50°F – 60°F/10°C – 15°C for 20 days. If a substrate needs replacing, use dried sugar beet pulp or grains. You can buy them at your local pet store, insect breeder, or purchased online from Phoenix Worms. Make sure to use them within 3 weeks of arrival.

Dubia Roaches

Dubia Roaches

Dubia Roaches are an enriching treat for hedgehogs.

Nutritional Value:

  • Fat: 6.1%
  • Protein: 21.4%
  • Fiber: 2.6%
  • Calcium: 700 mg
  • Phosphorus: 2600 mg
  • Thiamine: Not Analyzed
  • Moisture: 65.6%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:4

Are Dubia Roaches Nutritious?

Another favorite suggestion for hedgehog insects, is the one that is known for fun enrichment: the dubia. Yes, it is a cockroach, but it's a clean one when raised properly They are also known as blaptica dubia, orange-spotted roach, Guyana spotted roach, or the argentinian spotted roach. They are a great source of calcium, protein and fiber. And, even though the males have wings, they cannot fly.

Keeping Your Dubias

Dubias can survive at a room temperature of 60°F – 70°F/15°C – 21°C for one month with food, moisture, and darkness. They like to hide inside of egg cartons, so if you're storing more than five, place some inside a safe plastic container like a Sterlite plastic tote. Position the egg flats vertically so their excretions can fall to the bottom of the tote. Feeding the Dubias 24 hours before you feed your hedgie will be easy, just place dried fruit, some grain, or plant-based food in their enclosure including:

We recommend the Repashy insect food because it contains moisture along with essential nutrients. If insects are fed food like Repashy's, you won't have to provide a water source for the roaches. And adding extra calcium is easy by just lightly sprinkling some of this supplement on before feeding to your hedgehog. Be careful to always remove stale fruits and veggies because mold is lethal.

Feeding Dubias to your Hedgehog

Offering these jumpers could be intimidating at first, so wear gloves or use tongs and offer them in a separate inescapable space. If you're feeding inside a cage like the Critter Nations with the bars, be prepared to go chasing roaches that have escaped. To avoid that, you can have a safe plastic tote to put your hedgie in for feeding them dubias. Either grab the dubias with bare or gloved hands and hand-feed, or you can grasp it with tongs like these and hold it until your hedgie grabs it. Try to feed your hedgehog dubia roaches once per day or at least three times per week. They can be purchased online from a pet store, or from an international or local breeder like rainbow mealworms.

Hornworms

Hedgehogs love hornworms if they won’t eat anything else.

Nutritional Value:

  • Fat: 3.07%
  • Protein: 9%
  • Fiber: 2.5%
  • Calcium: 46.4 mg
  • Moisture: 85%
  • phosphorus: 1,394 mg
  • Thiamine: Not Analyzed
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:3

Storage and Feeding Information

This is a hedgie favorite and sometimes does the trick for fussy eaters or hedgies who need some extra water. The horn is just an illusion of armor and will not sting anyone. They can be kept at room temperature around 75°F – 85°F/24°C – 29°C for about 4 weeks, or refrigerated at 50°F – 55°F/10°C – 13°C for two weeks. Inside of the containers they come in, no substrate is needed. If moisture builds up, just blot it up with paper towel and do the same for the tiny poops that happen. They may come with food called hornworm chow, but additionally you can place fresh pieces of eggplant or some potato slices covered in the Repashy gut loading mixture. You can feed these insects to your hedgie three times per week. You may also add this calcium supplement to the insects before feeding. Hornworms can be purchased online at Rainbow Mealworms, or online at a pet store like here.

Crickets

Crickets are one of the fastest moving hedgehog insects

Nutritional Value:

  • Fat: 3.3%
  • Protein: 16%
  • Fiber: 2.2%
  • Calcium: 275 mg
  • Phosphorus: 2,950 mg
  • Thiamine: 0.4%
  • Moisture: 76%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:11

Are Crickets Nutritional Hedgehog Insects?

Crickets are really active and likely to get away from you, so for inactive hedgehogs try freezing the crickets 5 minutes before offering them. Any longer than that and you'll have a cricketsicle that your hedgehog may not want. Crickets are great for naturally providing protein, fiber, thiamine, and calcium! Start off by purchasing less than five or six crickets at first to see how keeping and feeding them goes. This would be a great opportunity to use your feeder plastic bin with a lid on top that has ventilation to trap the crickets when offering to your hedgehog. You can feed these twice daily!

Keeping Crickets for your Hedgehog

To keep them, they can stay in the enclosures they arrived in. If you order in bulk to save money, you will need a tiny glass aquarium. The lid of the aquarium would need to have a screen for ventilation and the cage can be cleaned using vinegar and water once per week to remove bacteria. Take the bottom of egg cartons and rip that material up then sprinkle strands of it on the bottom of the aquarium. They feed on oatmeal or cornmeal placed in a bowl. They get their moisture from fruits like peaches or apples. The temperature to keep them at is 75°F – 90°F/ 24°C – 32°C for about 8 days. They could need their own CHE heating system or a space heater. If deceased crickets and feces happen, diligently remove them as soon as possible. Crickets can be purchased live, freeze dried, or stored in juices.

Hedgehogs like to eat silkworms.

Nutritional Contents:

  • Fat: 1.1%
  • Protein: 9.3%
  • Fiber: 1.1%
  • Calcium: 177 mg
  • Phosphorus: 2,370 mg
  • Thiamine: 3.3%
  • Moisture: 82.7%
  • Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio: 1:13

Nutritional Information and Maintenance

Silkworms do not have an exoskeleton, but make up for it with their rich thiamine, calcium, and protein levels. The are also low in fat! They are sustained in your fridge for about a month in temperatures between 35°F – 37°F/ 1.1°C – 2.7°C or at a room temperature of 78°F – 85°F/25°C – 29°C for two weeks. Silkworms should come with their own food, but if you run out, they only eat mulberry leaves.

To maintain the silkworm, they should be transferred to an open container once received. Place fresh mulberry leaves on the bottom and add more mulberry leaves on top. Don't worry about adding moisture, they require a dry environment. You will know its time to replace your leaves when you find worms laying on the top layer. Like the hornworm, do not worry about the horn, it is just a soft growth. They should be fed to your hedgehog about 3x per week.

Hedgehog Insects: CONCLUSION
AND DOWNLOADABLE GUIDE

A variety of insects should be a part of a hedgehog's feeding routine. Black soldier flies, dubia roaches, crickets, hornworms, superworms, wax worms, and mealworms are the main hedgehog insects. How do you know they're safe? They have to come from a clean source, never from the wild, and be fed well using fresh veggies, fruits, and gut loading mixture. Use this free downloadable guide to keep track of insect nutritional values, storage, and feeding recommendations. Get a separate feeder bin with a breathable lid to feed your hedgehog the insects that are likely to escape. Insects are where hedgies will get their chitin, calcium, taurine, phosphorus, and so on. Bugs may be intimidating, but at least feeding tongs exist! Of all the insects that hedgehog's eat, our favorite is the phoenix worm and the dubia roach! Which ones have you tried?

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Further Suggested Reading:

Why are Calcium to Phosphorus ratios important? Come learn about metabolic bone disease now!

What does the ultimate hedgehog food list look like? Check it out here!

Wondering if your hedgehog is a good weight? Learn how to tell if your hedgie needs to lose or gain weight.

Feel like you've tried everything to make nice with your spike potato? Discover our *new* bonding tips and tricks

Hedgehog choosing his next insect bug cuisine choice froma gum ball machine
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Yellow heavenly hedgies hedgehog insects magazine cover
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Hedgehog supplies from Chewy

2 thoughts on “Hedgehog Insects: Which Are Best?”

  1. Thank u so much for the very useful hedgie information! We are getting our hedgehog next week at the exotic pet expo in Nashville, TN. We have been reading & researching every thing possible so we will be good hedgie parents. We are so excited for his arrival.

    1. Thank you Karol! We believe that an informed hedgie parent makes a better hedgie parent. We’re so happy to help you along that journey.

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