Can I feed these to my veileds?
- Thread starter smackey
- Start date
jamncristian
Established Member
yes you can
those are cut-worms
they will turn into nocturnal moths
that your chameleon will love even more!!
be sure you have regular vet visits and fecals done though
those are cut-worms
they will turn into nocturnal moths
that your chameleon will love even more!!
be sure you have regular vet visits and fecals done though
jamncristian
Established Member
thank you jann
wild caught bugs can give him parasites
you still can feed them
but you still should always take your cham
to the vet regularly to get check-ups fecals done to see
if he got parasites from any other source too
wild caught bugs can give him parasites
you still can feed them
but you still should always take your cham
to the vet regularly to get check-ups fecals done to see
if he got parasites from any other source too
Cool, good to know, they will love to eat these up and it makes me happy to know that my basil isn't being eaten anymore.
I am aware of the possible risks of wild caught bugs, but I think the benefits outweigh it. I would much rather my chams be getting dragonflies, hoppers, praying mantis's and now these as I think a varied diet is good for them. I have to get fecal tests done regardless so I think they should feast.
I am aware of the possible risks of wild caught bugs, but I think the benefits outweigh it. I would much rather my chams be getting dragonflies, hoppers, praying mantis's and now these as I think a varied diet is good for them. I have to get fecal tests done regardless so I think they should feast.
bongrod269
New Member
Why would you even risk feeding those to you chameleon if you knew there was a possibility of them getting parasites from it.
Lizardlover
New Member
Because healthy chameleons can handle a few parasites. Chameleons in the wild have parasites and live fine. The only problem is when the parasites are combined with stress, which is why so many wild caught chameleons have problems with parasites. Im with the OP, the small risk of parasites is not something people should fret over, a varied diet is very important to a chameleons over-all well-being.
laurie
Retired Moderator
VeiledOwner87
New Member
you should be able to go to a garden center and buy a pack of mantis eggs that you can hatch. theres tons in a pack for about 12$. just a suggestion
chamelisa
New Member
I agree about the parasites. They all carry them. So every time you feed your chameleon a wild insect, you are basically giving them parasites. Why take the risk?
For example, I started a colony of isopods a few weeks ago. Knowing they could have parasites, my goal was to get babies and separate them out, then raise those to adults and then breed them for their offspring to be feeders.
Well, I found some really nasty worms. Actually pulled a 4" long worm (I believe a horsehair worm) from the back end of a tiny little pillbug. Then the next day I found one just as long sitting in the soil, squirming.
For example, I started a colony of isopods a few weeks ago. Knowing they could have parasites, my goal was to get babies and separate them out, then raise those to adults and then breed them for their offspring to be feeders.
Well, I found some really nasty worms. Actually pulled a 4" long worm (I believe a horsehair worm) from the back end of a tiny little pillbug. Then the next day I found one just as long sitting in the soil, squirming.
laurie
Retired Moderator
That sounds gross. Poor little pill bug. Does this mean I should not have put the pill bugs I ordered into my terrariums? I do not want to make any of my babies sick.
These creatures have survived thousands of years eating "wild" insects, i think many are being overly cautious about feeding their chams. I would think chemical sprays would be a bigger danger than parasites. Also how can you tell if feeder insects arent infected? There could be larvae or salmonilla on the food we give the crickets.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would never feed my chams a wild insect althought I have seen them grab a fly and once Camille got a bee from outside. The treatment for parasites can kill your chameleons even when getting monthly fecals and so can parasites. Why take the chance. I fully agree with chamelisa.
Years ago Luie had Coccidia twice.....re-infected even after we thought we were doing the greatest cleanup every and I would never want to go through the treatment nor the clean up for that highly contagious parasite again.
Years ago Luie had Coccidia twice.....re-infected even after we thought we were doing the greatest cleanup every and I would never want to go through the treatment nor the clean up for that highly contagious parasite again.
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chamelisa
New Member
If you think I'm being overly cautious, get a microscope and test. Test your chams, test your feeders. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there or are harmless. They can very well kill a chameleon if left unchecked.
I made my recommendation to Laurie because she has somewhat rare captive hatched babies from a very special adoption animal from ChamEO. I am not being overly cautious.
Here are two videos of a worm that came out of an isopod. One in a dry cup, one in a few drops of water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_QeAhOZXbM&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPngniW2g8w&feature=youtube_gdata
I made my recommendation to Laurie because she has somewhat rare captive hatched babies from a very special adoption animal from ChamEO. I am not being overly cautious.
Here are two videos of a worm that came out of an isopod. One in a dry cup, one in a few drops of water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_QeAhOZXbM&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPngniW2g8w&feature=youtube_gdata
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Who is to say that all the feeders people have that aren't wild caught don't have just as many parasites? It seems like they might have even more because they are all kept together, just like when something attacks a farm it attacks everything I would guess there is the same problem with captive bread crickets, dubia etc.
Texas Panther Man
New Member
I have fed wild caught insects for years with no problems. I wouldnt give any to an obviously ill cham or one that i suspected had a compromised immune system. Personally I believe it has helped me to keep my chams from going on hunger strikes with picky eatters. Some chams just dont like dubia or worms it doesnt matter how long you starve them. So for variety I give them during the spring and summer months. Its amazing how a cham will relish a new prey item after having crickets and horns and silks and roaches all winter.
Lizardlover
New Member
I have been feeding my chameleons w/c insects every summer....the only thing I've noticed is their over all well being, and the enrichment they get from food variety.
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