What Are Live Mealworms?

Many of us may not have heard of what are mealworms, but we sure have seen them in movies and commercials. These creatures are about the size of a grain of rice, and they are very alive and active, which is what makes them interesting to eat. So, what are the uses of live mealworms?

Mealworms are crustaceans

The first thing you should know is that these animals are crustaceans. As you probably already know, they have hard bodies just like fish, but their upper and lower shells do not have any outer protection. These creatures have been around for a long time. They were probably part of the ecosystem millions of years ago because there is evidence of them living in the caves of Africa. There are also many fossils of these animals that were discovered in Europe and the United States.

It’s important to understand that mealworms are not the same as worms. While both creatures may look similar, there is a huge difference between the two. Although both share the common trait of feeding on various vegetable matter, live mealworms are actually insects. Their scientific name is Lepisma saccharina, and they do not feed on blood. For that reason, it’s safe to assume that we can give them any type of vegetable we like as long as they are not poisonous.

Although it is pretty clear what mealworms really are, there are still a few mysteries about this critter. To begin with, these animals are carnivores, and they eat meat. That means you can feed them raw meat or cooked meat, although they are also omnivorous. You will have to purchase the dried meal for them to ingest, and the moisture level has to be high enough for them to consume well.

Mealworms have both oral and anal appendages

Another thing that you should know about what are mealworms is unlike insects such as cockroaches and aphids that do not have any external appendages; mealworms have both an oral and anal appetite. They have mouthfuls of flesh that they can suckle from, and of course, they have a way of sealing their insides so that no air can get in. Therefore, they are sealed off inside their shell, hence the term “Mealworms.”

If you are wondering what mealworms are, the next question that you should ask is what makes them thick. Well, to begin with, these creatures are voracious eaters, able to eat a few times their own body weight in food each day. And they love it raw as well! In fact, their flesh is one of the tastiest foods that you will ever come across, and they can consume over one thousand times their body weight in food every single day.

Excellent source of protein, zinc and copper

Besides being an excellent source of protein, they are also a rich source of minerals such as zinc and copper. If you want to make sure that your pets are healthy and strong, you should feed them a good mix of grains, vegetables, fruits, meat and healthy fats. And the best thing about mealworms is that they love to chew and nibble on anything they can find! Their favourites include leafy green plants, seeds, nuts and whole grains.

The outer covering of these little creatures is called lecithin, which helps them absorb nutrients from their environment. The reason why they are considered to be such a good dietary supplement is that they are high in protein, have a low glycemic index, and do not cause gastrointestinal problems. 

Where can you buy live mealworms?

If you want to take care of your pets properly and ensure that they live a long and healthy life, you should purchase a good supply of healthy mealworms. You can either purchase them in bulk at a local pet store or even order them online. Online stores usually offer better prices and delivery services, so if you want to take advantage of these benefits, you should definitely shop for live mealworms online. 

If you decide to purchase them for pets, ensure that you buy them from a reputable dealer so that you get to enjoy their benefits and use them wisely. Most importantly, remember to regularly feed them so that they develop strong immune systems.