Common Name(s): Goliath Worm, Hornworm, Tobacco Worm

Size: 12mm (Small) 25mm (Medium) 50mm (Large) 62mm+ (Jumbo)

Description: Hornworms are commonly found throughout North America where they are a pest to most farmers. They consume many plants in the wild, but this particular species thrives on tobacco. There are many kinds of hornworms, which feed on a variety of plants. Because they feed on such plants in the wild, wild caught hornworms are deadly and should never be used as a feeder.

Hornworms received the nickname "Goliath worms" from their sheer size. A full grown hornworm can reach over 90mm in length and is a nice thick bug. Because of their size they are a popular pick for people with large animals such as chameleons and dragons. Their bright green size often gets even the most stubborn eaters to try them.

Keeping a hornworm in a warm and humid place with plenty of food is the key to their survival. Hornworms must be allowed to feed constantly and that is the prime reason for their price. Our hornworms are sent out with a small amount of food that should last them through shipping. Hornworm chow is easily prepared and fed, allowing you to grow the worms to any size you wish.

Our hornworms are sent with a minimum size of 25mm, and anywhere up to a full grownsize of 75-85mm. If you would prefer your worms to be a certain size, please just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. We can only ship what we have available though, so any hornworm order may be any size in their listed range.

For cooking instructions for our chow, please contact us. Keep cooked chow it in the fridge. Remove and cut small pieces to feed to the hornworms as needed. You may wish to use a cheese grater. Do not handle the cooked chow unless you have washed your hands thoroughly, as hornworms are sensitive to bacterial problems. Dispose of any mouldy food immediately. Mouldy food has been linked to many problems and deaths in otherwise healthy animals. Cooked food can be kept in the fridge for one month or more if air tight. Powder can be kept for about 6 months if kept in a cool dark place, or longer in a refrigerator. One portion of food feeds approximately 50 hornworms to full size.

Additional Comments: Hornworms are a popular option due to their size, colour, and ease of growing. Reaching full size in as little as 14 days out of the egg, it is no wonder they are so popular. Why feed three dozen crickets when one or two hornworms can fill your animal up? In addition, they have a great nutritional value and a taste your pet is sure to love. Please note that hornworms should still be dusted with calcium and vitamins as per your veterinarian's recommendations.

Hornworms reach full size quite quickly. Feeding them less and keeping them cooler will slow their growth to help provide you with a constant supply of worms over several days. Breeding them can be accomplished but is not recommend. If you wish to start a culture at home please visit one of the sites that will give you details how to do it.

*All sizes and shelf lives are approximate.

Prices: (Large 62mm+, Medium 25-50mm, approx. 2.5" and 1-2")

Hornworm Chow