Caught grasshoppers in back yard!
- Thread starter Adgbop
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Benton1576
New Member
I think its a bad idea to feed wild grasshoppers. They could have been eating plants that have had pesticide on them and harm your chameleon.
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
So the other day while playing with my dog I saw a green grasshopper on a bush and decided to catch him so I can feed him to my veiled Gimpy. I've caught plenty more I'm just not sure if I should feed them to him? What do you all think?
Green grasshoppers are the best! They have just molted so have a really soft body still. They brown up as the outer body hardens up. I just posted a video of one of my little girls eating a grasshopper on facebook, a few days ago.
Adgbop
Member
deadhd5
Avid Member
I would think that if you gutload them for 2-3 days you could reduce the risk enough to make feeding ok. If they had ingested pesticide they would have died by then. Variety in diet is very important for their health and chameleons love locusts. You have to think they would eat many in the wild.
Adgbop
Member
Yeah you have a point. They are kinda small so I don't plan on feeding them to him just yet, I wanna fatten them up a bit
ive been feeding them like romain lettuce and carrots. What other goods could I feed them?
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
Yeah you have a point. They are kinda small so I don't plan on feeding them to him just yet, I wanna fatten them up a bit
I raise mine up on rose.
Adgbop
Member
Rose as in the flower? Or the leaves?
Oh by the way I sent you a msg on Facebook about those Egyptian mantis ooths.. You still have some? I'm looking to buy maybe 2
Texas Panther Man
New Member
they eat the leaves. But be sure the bush has never been treated by pesticides if so it can have residual poison in the stems & leaves. Best to use greens & such unless you can be sure the bush was grown organically.
Texas Panther Man
New Member
Personally I dont feed bugs caught from within my neighborhood. I go to a location where I go fish. Open field with small chance of pesticides or fertilzers present. Then I catch my hoppers, katydids, etc.. & I keep them overnight and gutload then they are fed off the next day. If they had been subjected to poisons they most likely would die within a cpl of hrs or less. I just dont like all the fertilizers and such bugs are subjected too within a neighborhood setting. Jmpo...
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
I use rose bush, for covenience. Hoppers will eat leaves. You can cut some leaves off and feed, but they will quickly wilt. I keep a big screen cage, and place whole potted rose inside. And rotate roses as needed. I have you covered on the mantis ooths.. I just had one hatch this moring, so another 60 baby mouths to feed.
Adgbop
Member
Okay thanks a lot for all the info! You guys are great
I'm just trying to mix it up for my little guy. And thanks a lot for the ooths I'm excited 
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
So the other day while playing with my dog I saw a green grasshopper on a bush and decided to catch him so I can feed him to my veiled Gimpy. I've caught plenty more I'm just not sure if I should feed them to him? What do you all think?
Keep it for a day. Pesticides take effect pretty quick, so If it doesnt die, then go for it.
I offer wild caught grasshoppers every summer.
small risk of parasites. but that can happen from store bought stuff anyways
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Rose, Romain Lettuce and Blackberry is what I feed mine.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you are conflicted about parasites and pesticides I highly recommend looking into collecting your own brood stock then captive breeding a colony of hoppers. I'm still learning however I have been successful breeding two species.
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