cham arrived today, chewing on plants

[hilltowner]

Hi, Our 3-4 mo. male panther came today through the mail (yay! Our first one). We've let it hang out in it's cage and chill. Just to make sure he wasn't hungry, we offered him some crickets in a cup, but he wasn't interested. We knew that after travel it might be a couple days before he ate. However, a few hours later, he was chewing on some of the live plants in his cage, so we thought he might be hungry. So, we put him in a smaller tank with a stick and the crickets. Even when they crawled on his feet, he didn't eat them. Could he be chewing on the plants because he's nervous, not hungry?

Thanks!

Marla

 

[carol5208]

put him back in the cage and remove him from the tank. Sometimes chameleons will not eat for days when they arrive. As long as the plants are chameleon safe(are you sure they are?) then let him chew on them as long as they are real and not plastic. You are going to confuse him more switching him from one environment to another and stress him out worse. Congrats on your new cham and try and relax!

 

[Sticktongue]

Some chameleons eat plants as a food source. What kind of plants are they?

How come you moved him into a different tank with crickets? Most (if not all) of us either let the crickets free in the normal cage, or put them in a feeder cup.

By the way.. Welcome to the forums and congrats on your first cham!

 

[carol5208]

what are you housing him in? you said smaller tank...like you had him in a larger tank????

 

[hilltowner]

Thanks for your responses. I have a Schefllera plant, a Dracaena, and a Jade plant within the cage. He was chewing on the Schefllera plant. I tried the cup method and putting him in a smaller tank for feeding because we have him in a large air screen cage (24x24x48) and I read that he might not be able to catch crickets in a large cage. So, we figured we would do the cup method or a smaller tank (just for a few minutes to see if he was hungry, not for any length of time) until he was capable of hunting within the cage. I also read that if any crickets are left in the cage and he doesn't eat them that they will chew on him.

Thanks again for your input! Marla

 

[chase leb]

I will be getting my chemeleon in the next couple weeks and I have the same cage I think you are talking about. What is a feeder cup and will I need one of these before I order him?

 

[Sticktongue]

Thanks for your responses. I have a Schefllera plant, a Dracaena, and a Jade plant within the cage. He was chewing on the Schefllera plant. I tried the cup method and putting him in a smaller tank for feeding because we have him in a large air screen cage (24x24x48) and I read that he might not be able to catch crickets in a large cage. So, we figured we would do the cup method or a smaller tank (just for a few minutes to see if he was hungry, not for any length of time) until he was capable of hunting within the cage. I also read that if any crickets are left in the cage and he doesn't eat them that they will chew on him.

Thanks again for your input! Marla

Yes, he could have trouble finding them in that large of a cage. What kind of cup feeder did you try to do?

LIke mentioned before. He could take a few days to actually start eating. And the best chance for him to eat, will be inside his normal enclosure.

 

[Cainschams]

He is claiming his territory!!!!

 

[Miasdaddy]

Mine didn't eat for a week after I got her was the long trip stress so try n relax he will be ok

 

[carol5208]

Everyone talks about the young chameleons not being able to find the crickets. How do they find their food out in the wild then? The biggest cage of all!!! lol!!!

 

[Miasdaddy]

Lol so true carol mine hunts every inch of her cage till she's full

 

[MamaD]

be careful to make sure he is drinking well during his adjustment period. And congrats! can't wait to see some pics!

 

[creddjobs]

I will be getting my chemeleon in the next couple weeks and I have the same cage I think you are talking about. What is a feeder cup and will I need one of these before I order him?[/QUOT

use the search feature. I have read several posts about this

 

[xeonic]

toxic oxylate

Plants of the genus Schefflera contain fine, needle-like calcium oxylate crystals within the plant cells. If ingested, these crystals can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

I would be careful with the umbrella tree. Some plants containing Toxic oxylates like the Pothos can be ingested in small quantities. It shouldn't be it's main diet. Hopefully your Chameleon will eat crickets soon once it settles. Maybe your Chameleon has been spoiled like mine and wants some silk worms. Often mine ignores crickets completely, or will only eat fresh ones I put in the cage. He can tell by the supplements coating the cricket I guess. On Monday he wouldn't eat crickets at all. Yesterday he pigged out on silk worms.

Anyway try a silkworm or a hornedworm.

 

[MamaD]

Good point...not all plants within a specific genus are safe. However, the Schefflera Arborcola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)is most certainly safe. I'll admit, I am not sure about any other Schefflera, but I am about this one.

 

[xeonic]

The only info I can find on Schefflera Arborcola is that they contain toxic oxylates. Does your Chameleon eat any of the plant?

 

[MamaD]

Yes, mine do nibble on the leaves from time to time and to date, I've seen no problems.This is only my experience.I've learned that the amount of toxins in the schefflera arborcola are very low and consumed in small amounts are not dangerous. It sounds like you know your stuff and I would not want anyone trying to decide on a plant not to do their research and make an informed decision on their own. Better safe than sorry, right?! Thanks so much