Cup feeding fail - new keepers take note

[Franquixote]

I have a panther about 4 months old, the "cup" I try to feed out of is a small plastic square 5X5 or so ventilated feeder holder. I noticed that he will take crickets out of there but NEVER roaches. Hornworms he will also grab from a small cup or container.
I was shocked today when after he had a half dozen orange head roaches in the feeding "cup" for almost 36 hours (which is located midway up the enclosure in a tangle of vines) that as soon as I put one on a branch he went for it.

Note that the roaches in the container were active at times and he definitely knew what they were. He took the crickets out of there and left them. The second I put a roach on a branch he went right for it.

I am in the process of renovating the enclosure and right now I know that it isn't 100% secure so I don't want bugs free roaming but I was floored by the difference it made.

I just wanted to pass this along, I'm sure experienced keepers know this, but I had no idea that it would make such a huge difference. I'm wondering if I put a bowl with a stick epoxied or siliconed in the center so that bugs could crawl up and down it if it would make a difference. It is shocking that the chameleon would be so picky about taking an insect from a clear container vs. a branch in the exact same spot.

Anyone have similar experiences or know why feeding is triggered so much differently when the prey is not in the cup?

 

[nightanole]

I have 2 cham feeders.

I have the style with the bottle cut in half vertically with screen on the back, so the bugs can crawl up and down it.

I also have a pretty big tub at the bottom of the cage (or free range hangout) with sticks accross it, with bugs running around on the bottom.

I have never had luck with the "bowl" style.

 

[Katacara]

I to have tried both styles of feeding "cups", and although Peepers prefers to free-hunt, he will eat out of the milk jug/screen "cup" (not dubia though), but never out of an actual cup. No matter the style.

Maybe I will try the stick in the cup method with a few of the dubia and see how that goes. Thanks for that tip!

 

[Franquixote]

If anyone can post pics of their modified "semi free range" setups please do! I'm looking for ideas.

 

[nightanole]

 

[Katacara]

OMG thank you @nightanole that just filled my cuteness quota for the next like 3 months!!!!!!!!!

Are those veilds yours? I think I counted 12 at one point, maybe only 11???

Thank you again for sharing that!!

 

[nightanole]

OMG thank you @nightanole that just filled my cuteness quota for the next like 3 months!!!!!!!!!

Are those veilds yours? I think I counted 12 at one point, maybe only 11???

Thank you again for sharing that!!

Nah, thats just how breeders feed them. Give them a few more months/weeks and they wont be so friendly to each other

 

[Ceycham]

Aww I feel so bad for th two who didn't make the Ledge, lol