Chameleon tried to eat rock

[Vince]

Just went into my room where our jacksons chameleon is. As soon as i looked to see what he was doing he shot his tongue at a rock that was approximately an inch in diameter, lifted it to him mouth and gave it a good three to four chews before spitting it out. I could here his teeth hitting the rock.

Has anyone ever had a chameleon do this?? today is his feeding day, he had two roaches for breakfast. I just cant imagine that he is that hungry. The only thing that came into my mind was maybe he saw a shine because the rocks are wet, and just couldn't resist? What do you guys think??

 

[jake01]

Why are there small rocks in there in the first place?

 

[Vince]

I use them in my plants... most of the rocks are bigger than the one he went for.

 

[jake01]

Personally, I would only use large heavy stones if u are trying to cover the soil or something. That way you won't have to worry about him nabbing stuff that could potentially hurt him. Best way is to use the recommended coconut/sand mix or use organic soil, sifted so there are no large pieces. Even though I have my plant's soil covered with river rocks, my cham will still attempt to taste the dirt at the creases.

 

[Vince]

what kind of cham do you have? And yea i didnt think about it till now but when i first started using these rocks my cham was a lot smaller. I could prolly get some bigger ones so i dont have to worry about this.

 

[jake01]

Veiled.

10char

 

[Vince]

Cool beans. I would like to try a veiled someday. Compared to a jacksons, a veiled will eat and try a lot of different things. I have ever witnessed my cham trying to eat something that didn't move. He might have scene something i didnt though, and got the rock on accident.

 

[Goggles]

My veiled has shot his tongue at the large river rocks on top of his soil too.
He was either getting a drop of water or a gnat.
Terry

 

[philanddeb818]

I had the same question a while back when I observed two of our Chams in particular with this propensity.

It has been surmised that perhaps the Chams actually are deficient in a mineral and know what they need. Perhaps by sampling the stone, they are getting something healthful, but nonetheless the concern lies in possible impaction if ingested. Some Chams actually like to taste the soil and branches as well.

I read on another thread the Cham Keeper lays screen over his soil beds in order to keep the Cham safe. I would imagine this would also keep feeders out of the soil as well.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[jake01]

Wow, what a simple and perfect idea...can't believe I didn't think of this. I actually warped the pvc of my cage due to the extra weight from the rocks.

 

[philanddeb818]

^
Glad you found it helpful. Wish I'd thought of it! Just goes to show the more you read the forums, the more pearls of wisdom surface!

 

[tkilgour]

OMG you have a rock eater!!!! Wow, I have never witnessed this...it seems hard enough to get my panther chams to eat new things let alone rocks, but it doesnt totally surpise me. Maybe something caught your guys eye and he went for it. The last idea was a good one. I had a fungus gnat problem when the winter season changed over and considered rocks for the tops of the plants, but chose t-rex calcium sand. I cleaned the plants roots and re-potted, put sand at the bottom of the pots and a layer of sand at the top. No more fungus gnats and no need for rocks.

 

[philanddeb818]

OMG you have a rock eater!!!! Wow, I have never witnessed this...it seems hard enough to get my panther chams to eat new things let alone rocks, but it doesnt totally surpise me. Maybe something caught your guys eye and he went for it. The last idea was a good one. I had a fungus gnat problem when the winter season changed over and considered rocks for the tops of the plants, but chose t-rex calcium sand. I cleaned the plants roots and re-potted, put sand at the bottom of the pots and a layer of sand at the top. No more fungus gnats and no need for rocks.

I wonder if Calcium sand is okay for Chams to ingest. I'd like to hear other's thoughts about this. Thanks for this post.

 

[Vince]

Not a 100 percent but i would say calcium sand would be a no go for ingesting.

 

[tkilgour]

I had wondered the same, if it was okay if they did accidentally ingest it. So I purchased as advertised, T-rex brand safe for reptiles sand. My chams do not eat it, but it has never caused any issues either.

 

[tkilgour]

I also mix a little of it in my soil when my females have eggs and it works great. Again, my chams do not actually eat it, but while laying eggs they get covered in dirt and sand and even sleep in the tunnels. So if they have ingested any of it, it has not hurt them. I have read in other places in the forum it is okay to mix play sand in the soil also.