Top 9 Live Feeders in the United States for 2025: Expert-Vetted, Pathogen-Screened & Ethically Farmed Prey to Protect Your Pet's Health

Josh's Frogs Live Banded Crickets are positioned for hobbyists who prioritize health, careful husbandry, and species-appropriate gut-loading; their banded strain and hands-on rearing produce robust feeders with lower mortality than many mass-market crickets. They command a premium compared with big-box options like PetSmart or Fluker's, but that higher upfront cost is offset by better survivability and nutrition — especially important for delicate amphibians and high-value reptiles. Compared to Timberline and Reptile Deli, Josh's Frogs emphasizes education and detailed care recommendations, making them a top choice for keepers seeking consistent, high-quality feeders.

The Roach Guy is known for consistently healthy, well-sized Dubia colonies and holds a top position for dependable stock and fast dispatch within the U.S. market, which makes it a go-to choice for reptile and amphibian keepers needing reliable, frequent resupplies. Compared with the American suppliers on this list, The Roach Guy often offers competitive pricing and quicker domestic transit for U.S. customers, while matching them on brood quality and handling standards.

Fluker's Live Mealworms are a widely distributed, reliable choice known for consistent sizing and strict quality control, making them the go-to for routine feeding of reptiles and amphibians. They hold a leadership position for availability and value—often cheaper per worm than boutique suppliers—while providing a predictable nutritional profile compared with specialty options like Timberline giants or Josh's superworms. For keepers who need dependable, frequent supplies at a reasonable cost, Fluker's balances price and performance better than most freeze-dried or premium live alternatives.

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.

The Worm Lady Hornworms are a market leader for hornworms thanks to a broad size range, rapid growth stock, and repeatable high-moisture, gut-loaded worms ideal for geckos, frogs, and other amphibians. Technically they outshine many competitors by offering specialized hornworm strains and predictable shipping survival, making them the go-to choice when hornworms are specifically required versus silkworm alternatives in this list.

ReptiWorms' Drosophila melanogaster cultures focus on value and flexibility, offering affordable bulk and varied-size starter options that make them attractive to intermediate keepers and small breeders. While they may not match the branded packaging or nationwide distribution of Josh's Frogs, their competitive price-per-fly and customizable orders provide a financial advantage for steady, high-volume feeding schedules.

Big Al's is often considered best-in-class for feeder guppies because they breed high-volume, uniform-size stock specifically for feeding, which yields predictable portioning and lower per-feed costs for amphibian keepers compared with retail-sourced fish. Technically these guppies are selected for hardiness and transit survival, reducing losses and the disease risk that can come from mixed-source suppliers.

Omega One Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp is a market-leading convenience option valued for shelf stability and minimal prep, making it attractive for hobbyists who need quick, low-waste feeding solutions for amphibians. While it sacrifices some of the hydration and live-movement stimulus provided by frozen or live products, its long shelf life and simple dosing typically make it more economical for casual keepers than regularly purchasing live cultures or deep-frozen specialty prey.