3 month old Panther not eating much

[Armortura]

Hi,

We've had our 3 month old male Ambilobe for 1 week now and he doesn't seem to be eating much. He eats 3 or 4 small locust and 1 or 2 wax worms. I can't get him to eat crickets. I'm wondering if this is normal after moving into his new home or if there is something I'm doing wrong, so I've turned to this forum for advice.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - ~3 month old male Ambilobe Panther. Had him for 1 week.
• Handling - 1-2 times a day for about 5 mins.
• Feeding - small locusts and wax worm? 3-4 locusts as this is all he'll eat. 1 or 2 wax worm? Fed in the morning about 30 mins after lights on and fed at 4.30pm. Feeders are gut loaded with green cabbage or kale.
• Supplements - komodo calcium dusting powder at every feed. Nutrabol multivitamins fortnightly, although only had home 1 week.
• Watering - mist 2-3 times a day with a pump action mister for 30s at a time. Hygrometer drop to 60 then up to 80pc after misting. Also have a water dropper running through the day. I haven't seen him drink.
• Fecal Description - not tested for parasites . Pooing about twice a day, formed well, brown bit is 10mm long with 5mm white at the end. Today the white was a slight yellowish.
• History - only had him one week. Came from a private breeder who had many healthy chams and very clean.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - exo terra 90x90x45 glass terrarium with vented top
• Lighting - light and heat on 7am-7pm. Ceramic lucky reptile dark spot150w bulb located 50mm above mesh. Arcadia t5 uva/uvb canopy with 12% uvb 39w fluorescent.
• Temperature - 92 f at basking spot set with lucky reptile tc2-pro controller with temp probe 200mm below heat source. Ambient is low 80s and the temp in the bottom is about 75f. Measured with ir digital temp gun.
• Humidity - misting with pump spray twice a day and humidity reaches 80% lowest is about 55%
• Plants - All artificial plants and hanging leaves. Viv is fairly denselypopulated.
• Placement - Viv is located in our dining room which is relatively quiet, but our 6 yr old son plays in there after school and weekends. No fans or vents nearby.
• Location - Norther UK.

Current Problem - Concerned that he isn't eating enough.

Thank you for any help or advice

 

[RobTheChameleonLover]

Im not an expert and im sure more experienced members will give their thoughts. But when i got my jackson and veiled chams it took a few weeks for them to get settled in and eat more. My jackson would only eat one a day or every two days. Then about two weeks later he started eating like he should. As long as it’s eating something don’t worry too much it is normal for them to do that. But if not eating at all or dont aprove after another week then worry. Can you get roaches in your area?

 

[Armortura]

Im not an expert and im sure more experienced members will give their thoughts. But when i got my jackson and veiled chams it took a few weeks for them to get settled in and eat more. My jackson would only eat one a day or every two days. Then about two weeks later he started eating like he should. As long as it’s eating something don’t worry too much it is normal for them to do that. But if not eating at all or dont aprove after another week then worry. Can you get roaches in your area?

Hi and thank you for the reply.

Yes, I can get roaches, at least by mail from the internet, if not locally.

I think because I'm stressed, I'm stressing him too, as just today I've been hassling him too much trying to get him to feed more.

I think I'm probably trying too many feeding methods too, e.g. cup, hand, free roam, tweezers....

I hope I'm just being paranoid, but your reply does give me some comfort, so thanks.

I realise he's gone into a much larger enclosure too, so that could be adding to it all.

Cheers.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

If he is eating 3-4 locusts and worms every day or two then he is eating more than most chams do when they are first brought home, your doing fine!

I suggest you buy your feeders from EBay, the have every feeder that can be sold legally in any size or quantity you want. Never had a bad buy, good prices.

 

[Armortura]

If he is eating 3-4 locusts and worms every day or two then he is eating more than most chams do when they are first brought home, your doing fine!

I suggest you buy your feeders from EBay, the have every feeder that can be sold legally in any size or quantity you want. Never had a bad buy, good prices.

That's reassuring . Thanks for the reply. I'll keep on what I'm doing and hopefully he'll settle in soon.

Cheers.

 

[Armortura]

A quick update to say he's eating fine now and seems happy. He's shedding and growing bigger by the day. His colours are coming in nicely too.

Thanks!