Do Axolotl Change Color? Why And How?

Wax worms are a popular feeder insect for many reptiles and amphibians, so it makes sense that axolotl owners would wonder if they can feed them to their pets. While wax worms are not toxic to axolotls, they are far from an ideal food choice. Here is what you need to know about wax worms and axolotls.

Can Axolotls Eat Wax Worms?

Axolotls can physically eat wax worms, and they are not poisonous. However, wax worms come with some significant drawbacks that make them a poor regular food choice. Most experienced axolotl keepers recommend avoiding them or using them only very rarely as an occasional treat.

Problems With Feeding Wax Worms to Axolotls

The first issue is fat content. Wax worms are essentially the junk food of the feeder insect world. They are extremely high in fat compared to other feeder options. While a little fat in the diet is fine, regularly feeding a high fat food like wax worms can lead to obesity and liver problems in axolotls over time. Think of wax worms as the equivalent of feeding your pet candy bars. Sure, they will eat it, but it is not doing their health any favors.

The second issue is the exoskeleton. Like mealworms, wax worms have a chitinous outer shell. While wax worm shells are somewhat softer than mealworm shells, they can still be difficult for axolotls to digest. Axolotls swallow their food whole without chewing, so anything with a tough exterior poses some risk of digestive issues.

Third, wax worms lack the nutritional balance that axolotls need. They are low in calcium and protein compared to better food options like earthworms. A diet heavy in wax worms would not provide the nutrients an axolotl needs to maintain healthy bones, organs, and gill function.

When Wax Worms Might Be Acceptable

There are a couple of scenarios where offering a wax worm or two might be okay. If you have a very underweight axolotl that needs to put on weight quickly, the high fat content of wax worms can be temporarily useful. In this case, they might serve as a supplemental food alongside more nutritious options to help the axolotl gain weight faster.

Some keepers also use wax worms as an occasional treat to add variety to the diet. If offered no more than once every couple of weeks as a supplement to a diet based on earthworms, the risks are minimal. Just do not let them become a regular part of the feeding rotation.

What to Feed Your Axolotl Instead

Earthworms should be the foundation of every axolotl’s diet. They are soft, easy to digest, and provide a balanced nutritional profile with good protein, moisture, and mineral content. Nightcrawlers from a bait shop or garden center are the most common and affordable option.

For variety, you can supplement with bloodworms (especially good for juveniles), blackworms, brine shrimp, and quality sinking pellets designed for carnivorous aquatic animals. These foods are all softer, more digestible, and more nutritionally appropriate than wax worms.

The best approach to feeding axolotls is to keep it simple. Earthworms as the staple, a couple of supplemental foods for variety, and skip the feeder insects that are designed more for terrestrial pets. Your axolotl will be healthier for it.