Cricket Cup Or no Cricket Cup?

[Matt1851]

Hey guys, I have my 3 - 4 month old panther and i had seen at a different store i had been at the the crickets were trying to eat the little baby veilds. I also just had one of my green anoles pass on me because a cricket bit her lip and it got infected :\ I made my panther a cricket cup so the crickets wouldnt get out and possible bite him and end up as my anole did but he wasnt eating out of it. I just saw him about an hour ago trying to eat my thermometer on the side of his terrarium so i put some loose crickets in and he ate about 3 right away. Should i keep the cup in there or leave it out?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I prefer to free range the crickets.
It is important when you do this to not overwhelm the chameleon by introducing too many at once. It is also a good idea to remove any uneaten feeders before lights go out at night.
After dark is when opportunistic crickets have their advantage.

-Brad

 

[Matt1851]

I prefer to free range the crickets.
It is important when you do this to not overwhelm the chameleon by introducing too many at once. It is also a good idea to remove any uneaten feeders before lights go out at night.
After dark is when opportunistic crickets have their advantage.

-Brad

ya i typically wanna give him 6 at a time. im thinking about removing the substrate because 1. the crickets hide underneath it and 2. chameleons really do not need substrate and it will be alot easier to find and catch any uneaten cricktes

 

[boj3434]

I free range I think its better for the chameleon since they have to work out their bodies and tongue alot more. I just kind of keep an eye on him but i usually only put about 5-8 in at a time and I he wants more ill just hand feed him a few. I have had problems with crickets in the past but it is usually in alot smaller cages ive found in the larger cages the crickets have alot more space as well as the chameloen and still havent had a problem but my chameleon does like to eat them pretty fast

 

[Brad Ramsey]

An additional idea is to put a small piece of apple or carrot on the floor of the cage at night. If you miss removing any crickets, they will have something to eat and leave the chameleon alone.
This would be a precautionary practice and would not replace removing the crickets.

-Brad

 

[Matt1851]

An additional idea is to put a small piece of apple or carrot on the floor of the cage at night. If you miss removing any crickets, they will have something to eat and leave the chameleon alone.
This would be a precautionary practice and would not replace removing the crickets.

-Brad

ok good idea thanks

 

[Leilaskeeper]

ya i typically wanna give him 6 at a time. im thinking about removing the substrate because 1. the crickets hide underneath it and 2. chameleons really do not need substrate and it will be alot easier to find and catch any uneaten cricktes

Well, if you have substrate, try patting it down so there are no clumps or peices that the cham can't eat .. and the crickets can't find a hiding spot. Brad gave you some good advice though!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Also you can keep trying to cup feed while free ranging feeders just remove all uneaten feeders each night. one day he will miraculously start to realize the cup is a free easy meal.

 

[Matt1851]

Also you can keep trying to cup feed while free ranging feeders just remove all uneaten feeders each night. one day he will miraculously start to realize the cup is a free easy meal.

ya i was reading the post about making a cup feeder and i think im going to try making the modle in the link brad posted. it would probobly work alot better than mine

 

[sandrachameleon]

I do both. It is handy for the chameleon to associate a particular bowl or cup with food, but its also good, imho, for them to hunt naturally.

Give him what he'll eat up free-range quickly, then leave one or two in a feeding cup.

 

[pantherlover]

i hold the cricket container against the cage & let them crawl up the screen, 4 or 5 at a time. i find its working well because they rarely go unnoticed by the cham & its easy to monitor the eating. he still gets his tounge exercise too.

 

[beeze]

I cup feed. It seems to cut down on the loose feeders in my house.