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

Reptile Deli Inc. Live Crickets are presented as a boutique supplier focused on premium handling, specialized gut-loading options, and attentive shipping for delicate reptiles and amphibians. They typically cost more than mass-market brands yet provide technical advantages such as customized diets and higher post-shipment survival, making them attractive for keepers of exotic or sensitive species who value nutritional consistency. Compared with Fluker's and PetSmart, Reptile Deli prioritizes quality and service, and while Timberline and Josh's Frogs also offer high standards, Reptile Deli positions itself as a concierge option for targeted feeding needs.

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.

Josh's Frogs Live Superworms are favored for offering larger, higher-fat/high-protein larvae ideal for medium-to-large reptiles and amphibians, and the brand is known for careful handling and live-arrival guarantees. They command a premium over standard mealworms but deliver technical advantages—bigger prey size and higher caloric density—making them more time-efficient for feeding larger animals compared with smaller mealworms from Fluker's or Nature Zone. For keepers who prioritize nutrition per feed and reliable live quality, Josh's Frogs is a market leader among superworm suppliers.

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.

This Melanogaster Wingless culture from Josh's Frogs is positioned as the go-to option for small reptiles and amphibians because it reliably produces high-density, flightless D. melanogaster with minimal escape risk. It beats many competitors on consistency and shipping reliability, offering a lower cost-per-feeding for hobbyists who need frequent, small feedings compared with larger Hydei flies or single-use starter kits.

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.