Chameleon won't eat?

[Chameleoon]

Hi guys, I am a brand new chameleon owner and I just purchased a veiled yesterday. I put some crickets in a bowl this morning and when I came back there were still plenty of crickets still there. Is there any way I can try and get him to eat?

 

[jpowell86]

They have to go through a period of acclimation and the timeline of this period if very individualistic. It is best when getting a new chameleon to allow a 48 hour window of acclimation before attempting to feed. This will allow him to settle in a bit and feel out his new enclosure. So, don't feel worried about him not eating as of yet.

If there are husbandry factors that might be causing a lack of appetite, then filling out the "how to ask for help" form would give us a better overall picture of what is going on. Here is the link.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Just fill in the areas with your info and re-post it here.

Congrats on the new chameleon!!

 

[Lathis]

Give him some time to get settled. It is very common for them not to eat the first few days. Make sure he has plenty of access to water and try to leave him alone. remember, he's been torn from everything familiar, stuffed in a strange place, and now a giant predator keeps sticking its face in his every five minutes going "ooo he's so cool!"

Welcome to the forum! This is a great place for learning everything you need to know about chameleons. Below are the links to the caresheets - you should review these in detail. The information has been put together by people who have kept and bred chameleons for many, many years and can be trusted. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad and just plain wrong info on chameleon care out there, and people are given bad direction by pet stores all the time.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Good luck with your new friend!

 

[Chameleoon]

Thanks! But, should I still offer crickets just in case?

 

[jpowell86]

You can, but I would focus more on making sure he is hydrated properly and that he feels secure in his new home. Trust me, when he feels secure...he will eat non stop. PREPARE YOURSELF!