Chameleon wont eat crickets...

[supermrchameleon]

This is my first chameleon, he is a male veiled and about five months old. I named him Lennon. He has not been eating crickets for some reason. I put about three in his cage a day (and no, they're not bigger than the space between his eyes so its not a size factor) and if Im lucky, he'll eat one but only about every other day. I do also feed butterworms and silkworms. I've heard that butterworms are high in nutrients so would it make an acceptable replacement of a primary food source? Or is there any way I can get him to be less picky? He doesnt have a very vicious appetite in general.

 

[stickytongue]

butterworms are not a good staple diet. they are really high in fat. if he is not eating crickets another good staple diet is dubia roaches.

 

[boj3434]

I wouldnt feed to many butterworms they arent a good staple diet. He might not be eating becaue of the butterworms and silkies. He might get a little addicted to them so try crickets and silkies mainly with a treat once or twice a week with one butterworm. You could try offering more at that age they still can eat alot daily.

 

[sandrachameleon]

No single bug should make up the bulk of the chameleons diet, IMHO.

Silkworms are an excellent insect feeder option. You can alter their nutrient content by occassionally gutloading them with dandelion and squash in the hours before feeding off.

Butterworms do not need to be considered "treats" only. They can make up a regular portion of the chameleons diet. Weekly if you wish. They are LESS fatty than superworms, for example.

However, you do need to ensure some of the bugs the cham eats have chinton content. And something easily gutloaded is a good idea too. Such as crickets, roaches, superworms.

Try cup feeding. Try NOT offering anything except crickets for a couple days, to encourage him to accept them. Try offering roaches.

Ensure the temperature is right (if he's not warm enough he wont eat well)
Ensure the lighting is right (they eat better with proper UVB and brightness)
Ensure that he is well hydrated (if dehydrated, they dont eat well).

 

[supermrchameleon]

I did try feeding him strictly crickets while I waited for the worms to come in the mail. This was probably for about two weeks and he barely touched them. I have tried appetite plus but it didn't seem to work either. Could it be Im feeding him too much? I though young ones ate much more than this but he only eats about three insects/bugs every other day. All his cage conditions seem up to par and he looks in good health and has grown since I got him regardless of his pickyness... hmm... stubborn little fellow.

 

[sandrachameleon]

That he is growing, gaining weight, that's a good sign. But still at five months they are usually eating more than 3 bugs every other day. Have you had him checked for parasites or other health issues? You are certain he is getting sufficient water, is warm enough, etc? You are gutloading?

 

[supermrchameleon]

That he is growing, gaining weight, that's a good sign. But still at five months they are usually eating more than 3 bugs every other day. Have you had him checked for parasites or other health issues? You are certain he is getting sufficient water, is warm enough, etc? You are gutloading?

I do gutload and his lighting and water supply are great. He has a water drip and in the mornings I mist him anyways. As you can see from my avatar he drinks straight from the nozzle. I checked him myself for external parasites but I may have to get him checked for internal parasites if this continues.

 

[graydon]

I do gutload and his lighting and water supply are great. He has a water drip and in the mornings I mist him anyways. As you can see from my avatar he drinks straight from the nozzle. I checked him myself for external parasites but I may have to get him checked for internal parasites if this continues.

Idk if its the photo but that cham looks very dehydrated.

 

[supermrchameleon]

Well the lighting is from his heat lamp so maybe its just that. It could have been dehydration though. That was taken a day after I got him from an EXPO but here is some more current photos.

Gotta love the cat in the background.

Gettin plenty of water.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I...I checked him myself for external parasites but I may have to get him checked for internal parasites if this continues.

Couldnt hurt. A fecal test is cheap.

 

[draetish]

This is your first cham right? Now would be a good time to bite the bullet and answer the following questions "how to ask for help". I can see your cham is sitting next to the couch and there is a big black cat starring at it. That's a 'red' flag and you might be headed for trouble with your cham.

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful