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Waxworms and Butterworms for Reptile and Amphibian Feeding: Top 5 Options in Canada for 2025 — Expert-Recommended Picks, Feeding Uses, and Buying Guide

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

High fat, palatable moth larvae used as occasional treats or to help stimulate feeding in picky or recovering animals; often offered chilled or live. Waxworms and butterworms are popular among Canadian reptile and amphibian keepers because they reliably entice reluctant feeders, provide a quick source of energy, and are simple to store and offer either chilled or live. Buyers in Canada tend to choose based on shipping reliability in cold weather, supplier transparency about breeding and handling, product size and life stage, and whether the feeder can be gut-loaded or dusted before feeding. Hobbyists also weigh tradeoffs: waxworms are widely available and very palatable but higher in fat, while butterworms are prized for soft bodies and strong scent that many frogs and small lizards prefer. As an occasional treat or targeted appetite stimulant, these feeders remain a staple in many collections when used with routine supplementation and moderation.

Quick Menu

1. Best Trusted Brand Waxworms

2. Best Bulk/Value Waxworms

3. Best Butterworms for Hydration

4. Best Canadian Waxworm Source

5. Best Specialist Butterworms

1
BEST TRUSTED BRAND WAXWORMS

Josh's Frogs Waxworms

Josh's Frogs Waxworms

Josh's Frogs holds a best-in-class position for waxworms thanks to its strong husbandry reputation and careful selection for reptile and amphibian nutrition; its products are consistently fresh and come with husbandry guidance that newer keepers find valuable. Compared with the other suppliers on this list, Josh's Frogs trades a slightly higher price for dependable quality and customer support, making it a top choice when reliability and animal health are the priority.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • High-fat treat

  • Easy portioning

  • High-fat treat

  • Easy portioning

Review Summary

90%

"Generally praised for high-quality, plump larvae and reliable packaging, though a minority report occasional mortality during warm shipping."

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Clean, farm-reared live waxworms commonly sold in 25–100 count packs.

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Clean, farm-reared live waxworms commonly sold in 25–100 count packs.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Josh's Frogs holds a best-in-class position for waxworms thanks to its strong husbandry reputation and careful selection for reptile and amphibian nutrition; its products are consistently fresh and come with husbandry guidance that newer keepers find valuable. Compared with the other suppliers on this list, Josh's Frogs trades a slightly higher price for dependable quality and customer support, making it a top choice when reliability and animal health are the priority.

  • High-fat treat

  • Easy portioning

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Clean, farm-reared live waxworms commonly sold in 25–100 count packs.

  • High-fat treat ideal for boosting appetite in reptiles and amphibians.

  • High-fat treat

  • Easy portioning

  • Picky-eater magnet

  • Clean, farm-reared live waxworms commonly sold in 25–100 count packs.

  • High-fat treat ideal for boosting appetite in reptiles and amphibians.

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$8-20 CAD

2
BEST BULK/VALUE WAXWORMS

Timberline Live Waxworms

BASSETT'S CRICKET RANCH

Timberline Live stands out as a market leader for live waxworms by focusing on high-volume breeding and efficient logistics, which delivers very competitive per-unit pricing for frequent feeders. In contrast to boutique suppliers here, Timberline's technical advantage is scale—lower cost and reliable availability—though it may offer fewer conditioning or specialized feeding options than premium vendors.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Plump, hearty worms

  • Fast-shipped fresh

  • Plump, hearty worms

  • Fast-shipped fresh

Review Summary

93%

"Customers consistently highlight excellent freshness and low mortality with fast shipping, making them a go-to for regular feeders."

  • Breeder-approved favorite

  • Offers larger-quantity options for frequent feeders and breeders.

  • Breeder-approved favorite

  • Offers larger-quantity options for frequent feeders and breeders.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Timberline Live stands out as a market leader for live waxworms by focusing on high-volume breeding and efficient logistics, which delivers very competitive per-unit pricing for frequent feeders. In contrast to boutique suppliers here, Timberline's technical advantage is scale—lower cost and reliable availability—though it may offer fewer conditioning or specialized feeding options than premium vendors.

  • Plump, hearty worms

  • Fast-shipped fresh

  • Breeder-approved favorite

  • Offers larger-quantity options for frequent feeders and breeders.

  • Consistent size grading helps portion control and feeding schedules.

  • Plump, hearty worms

  • Fast-shipped fresh

  • Breeder-approved favorite

  • Offers larger-quantity options for frequent feeders and breeders.

  • Consistent size grading helps portion control and feeding schedules.

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From 134.11$
3
BEST BUTTERWORMS FOR HYDRATION

Rainbow Mealworms Butterworms

Rainbow Mealworms Butterworms
🏠 Local Product

Rainbow Mealworms' butterworms earn a strong position by combining targeted nutrition for amphibians and reptiles with cold-chain shipping options that help preserve worm condition upon arrival, a key technical advantage for sensitive species. Compared with U.S.-based vendors on this list, Rainbow often offers competitive regional pricing and variety for Canadian customers, while remaining a premium option relative to bulk-focused suppliers.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Colorful snack party

  • Calcium-friendly option

  • Colorful snack party

  • Calcium-friendly option

Review Summary

80%

"Buyers appreciate the variety and strong feeding response but note variable sizes and occasional dead worms on arrival; refrigeration is often needed to maintain quality."

  • Soft-bodied delight

  • Butterworms are soft, high-moisture larvae that attract picky eaters.

  • Soft-bodied delight

  • Butterworms are soft, high-moisture larvae that attract picky eaters.

Recreational Enjoyment

Rainbow Mealworms' butterworms earn a strong position by combining targeted nutrition for amphibians and reptiles with cold-chain shipping options that help preserve worm condition upon arrival, a key technical advantage for sensitive species. Compared with U.S.-based vendors on this list, Rainbow often offers competitive regional pricing and variety for Canadian customers, while remaining a premium option relative to bulk-focused suppliers.

  • Colorful snack party

  • Calcium-friendly option

  • Soft-bodied delight

  • Butterworms are soft, high-moisture larvae that attract picky eaters.

  • Lower chitin and easier to digest than many dry feeders.

  • Colorful snack party

  • Calcium-friendly option

  • Soft-bodied delight

  • Butterworms are soft, high-moisture larvae that attract picky eaters.

  • Lower chitin and easier to digest than many dry feeders.

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$18-40 CAD

4
BEST CANADIAN WAXWORM SOURCE

Recorp Inc. Live Waxworms

Recorp Inc. Live Waxworms
🏠 Local Product

Recorp Inc. is notable as a reliable wholesale and bulk supplier of live waxworms, offering cost-effective packaging sizes and consistent live counts that make it attractive for breeders, rescues, and serious hobbyists. Versus boutique brands, Recorp's financial advantage is clear in lower unit prices for large orders, though it may not include the same level of husbandry guidance or specialized conditioning some smaller brands provide.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Bulk live packs

  • Consistent sizing

  • Bulk live packs

  • Consistent sizing

Review Summary

86%

"Solid, consistent feeders with competitive pricing and generally good survival rates; some users report higher mortality during hot-weather shipments."

  • Budget-friendly feeder

  • Canadian supplier offering locally available live waxworms to Canadian keepers.

  • Budget-friendly feeder

  • Canadian supplier offering locally available live waxworms to Canadian keepers.

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Recorp Inc. is notable as a reliable wholesale and bulk supplier of live waxworms, offering cost-effective packaging sizes and consistent live counts that make it attractive for breeders, rescues, and serious hobbyists. Versus boutique brands, Recorp's financial advantage is clear in lower unit prices for large orders, though it may not include the same level of husbandry guidance or specialized conditioning some smaller brands provide.

  • Bulk live packs

  • Consistent sizing

  • Budget-friendly feeder

  • Canadian supplier offering locally available live waxworms to Canadian keepers.

  • Good quality control and quick shipping to minimize stress on insects.

  • Bulk live packs

  • Consistent sizing

  • Budget-friendly feeder

  • Canadian supplier offering locally available live waxworms to Canadian keepers.

  • Good quality control and quick shipping to minimize stress on insects.

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$10-22 CAD

5
BEST SPECIALIST BUTTERWORMS

The Worm Lady Live Butterworms

The Worm Lady Live Butterworms

The Worm Lady is recognized for premium live butterworms conditioned for maximal palatability and nutrient density, making her stock especially useful for picky eaters and breeding amphibians. While typically priced above bulk wholesalers, this brand's technical focus on hand-rearing and conditioning delivers superior feeding response and health benefits compared with mass-produced alternatives, justifying the extra cost for specialized collections.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Tender, fatty worms

  • Specialty breeder source

  • Tender, fatty worms

  • Specialty breeder source

Review Summary

92%

"Highly rated for exceptional freshness and attentive customer service, with many repeat buyers, though they are often pricier than mass-market suppliers."

  • Mild-mannered morsels

  • Specializes in butterworms with careful handling and freshness guarantees.

  • Mild-mannered morsels

  • Specializes in butterworms with careful handling and freshness guarantees.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Worm Lady is recognized for premium live butterworms conditioned for maximal palatability and nutrient density, making her stock especially useful for picky eaters and breeding amphibians. While typically priced above bulk wholesalers, this brand's technical focus on hand-rearing and conditioning delivers superior feeding response and health benefits compared with mass-produced alternatives, justifying the extra cost for specialized collections.

  • Tender, fatty worms

  • Specialty breeder source

  • Mild-mannered morsels

  • Specializes in butterworms with careful handling and freshness guarantees.

  • High moisture and palatable texture make them excellent for amphibians.

  • Tender, fatty worms

  • Specialty breeder source

  • Mild-mannered morsels

  • Specializes in butterworms with careful handling and freshness guarantees.

  • High moisture and palatable texture make them excellent for amphibians.

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$20-45 CAD

What the Research and Keeper Experience Say

Scientific studies and practical keeper reports converge on a few clear points: waxworms and butterworms are effective appetite stimulants and high-energy treats, but their nutritional profile requires careful use. Research in herpetological and veterinary nutrition literature highlights the high lipid content and relatively low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of these larvae, which makes them excellent short-term energy sources but unsuitable as a staple without gut-loading and dusting with calcium and vitamin D3. Controlled trials and controlled-feeding studies also show that offering chilled or moribund feeders can increase acceptance in stressed or recovering animals. Practical recommendations from university extension guidance and experienced breeders stress moderation to avoid obesity and fatty liver disease, and emphasize proper storage and humane shipping methods to maintain feeder quality.

High fat, lower calcium: Waxworms and butterworms have a high lipid content that provides quick calories but a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, so they should be used as occasional treats and supplemented.

Appetite stimulation validated: Multiple keeper studies and clinical reports show chilled or live moth larvae often trigger feeding in picky or recovering reptiles and amphibians.

Gut-loading and dusting improve nutrition: Research and practice both confirm that gut-loading feeders with nutrient-rich diets and dusting with calcium/vitamin D3 reduce the risk of metabolic bone disease when used occasionally.

Storage and handling matter: Refrigeration (chilling) is widely recommended to slow activity and extend shelf life, while rapid, temperature-managed shipping reduces mortality and stress in Canadian climates.

Risks of overuse: Long-term or frequent feeding can contribute to obesity, fatty liver, and imbalanced diets; monitoring body condition and rotating feeder types is advised.

In Canada for 2025, waxworms and butterworms remain essential tools for keepers who need reliable appetite stimulants or occasional high-energy treats. Among the main products listed here, Josh's Frogs Waxworms stand out as the best overall choice for a balance of availability, consistent quality, and keeper support. Timberline Live Waxworms and Recorp Inc. Live Waxworms are strong alternatives for live-feeder reliability; Rainbow Mealworms Butterworms are a good option where softer-bodied bait is preferred; and The Worm Lady Live Butterworms is a specialist choice for amphibians and small, scent-driven feeders. We hope you found what you were looking for — you can refine or expand your search using the site search to compare shipping options, sizes, and feeding guides for each product.

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