Chameleon Food

[troyboy1900]

I am pretty new to chameleons and feel that I'm on my way with a bunch of help from you guys and want to now move up to not only giving my cham a minimal and sufficient amount of care, but the best possible. I am pretty busy now that I'm a full time college student and work whenever possible, so I've pretty much decided that breeding feeders is probably not possible (aside from crickets which my brother and I decided to breed because he has a bearded dragon).

The chameleon is about 5 inches long (from tip of nose to tip of tail) and weighs 7.4 grams. So I just wanted to make sure that I was feeding him a good amount of variety and good quality feeders. I give him about 5 crickets a day and a good shaking of about 30 to 40 flightless fruit flies a day. I am currently ordering small silkworms (1/4''-3/8''). So I will be feeding him crickets-about 2-3, silkworms- 1-2, and fruit flies- 10-20 each feeding. Just wondering if this is a good variety and if you have any suggestions on other cheap feeders I would appreciate any suggestions (even some constructive criticism, lol). Thanks guys.

 

[draetish]

You have come to the right place. If you will fill out the "How to Ask For Help" form you will get the best feedback on supplementing and general husbandry.


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Pictures are helpful

 

[troyboy1900]

Chief Complaint- Just trying to make sure everything checks out with food (see original post at the top)

Your Chameleon - Veiled, about 5 in long, 7.4 grams
Handling - 2-3 minutes per day or less
Feeding - crickets, flightless fruit flies, and silkworms on the way
Supplements - RepCal without D3 every day, RepCal with D3 twice a month, RepCal Vitamin/Mineral supplement twice a month
Watering - misted about 4 times today for about 2 min each time, dripper on the way
Fecal Description - black dropping and white dropping, tiny bit of yellow on the very end
History - bought him about a week ago

Cage Info:
Cage Type - 12'' wide, 12'' long, 18'' tall Exo-Terra glass sides, screen top, all screen cage on the way (2'x2'x4')
Lighting - UVB tube Reptiglo 5.0 and heating light by zoo med
Temperature - 75-85 degrees
Humidity - I measure with a digital hygrometer and it is at 20-30% without misting for a few hours and rises to 70%+ after misting
Plants - Golden Pothos
Placement - the top of the cage is about 4 feet from the ground and is kind of close to a window, but I monitor the temperature and it remains constant
Location - Westlake, Ohio

 

[draetish]

You're on the right track with all your husbandry as far as I can tell. One thing you didn't mention is that you are gutloading your crickets. Use dark green leafy veg like collard or mustard greens, yams, carrots, oranges for hydrating crickets. Veils will also eat plants like ficus and pothos leaves, and other dark leafy greens. Not knowing the age but sounds like it might be 3-5 months old due to size so everyday feeding is okay. When they reach adulthood feeding should be cut back to every other day. When they are eating that much they should be pooping alot so keep an eye on that and also check his eyes for signs of dehydration. Catching these two issues early is important. Also calcium and vitamins are most important in the first year when they are growing. Once they reach adulthood and their environment is adequate, supplements should be used sparingly. Be sure to change the UVB bulb every six months. Keep researching and reading this forum and you will be a successful keeper.
Regards,
Donna

 

[sandrachameleon]

...I give him about 5 crickets a day and a good shaking of about 30 to 40 flightless fruit flies a day. I am currently ordering small silkworms (1/4''-3/8''). So I will be feeding him crickets-about 2-3, silkworms- 1-2, and fruit flies- 10-20 each feeding. Just wondering if this is a good variety and if you have any suggestions on other cheap feeders I would appreciate any suggestions (even some constructive criticism, lol). Thanks guys.

Hi. Three types of feeders is fine. Especially if you are gutloading those crickets and dusting them with calcium. You can also lightly dust a few of the flies or silkies. Silkies are one of the best feeder choices, especially when combined with crickets. So I think you're on the right track. Do Add in a tiny superworm or roach nymph or small butterworm etc now and then as well, if you can.
In terms of quantity, well it depends on the size of the feeders and the growth rate of the chameleon. You want him to grow, but not really really fast. I tend to feed them as much as they can eat in about 5 minutes (and not more than that, even though Im sure theyd keep eating if I put in more), and do that three or four times a day.