feeder geckos-reptiles for chams
- Thread starter salty dog
- Start date
Brodybreaux25
Chameleon Enthusiast
It’s not going to damage them but they’re definitely not built to process that kind of food daily. I guarantee if a wild Cham happens upon a gecko he’s not going to pass it up...
Carter42
New Member
It's definitely not recommended. Chameleons are insectivores, and their digestive systems simply aren't designed to process bone and animal tissues. A hungry cham might eat it, but that doesn't mean it's healthy.
This is directly from the "Food & Nutrition" section under the "Resources" tab:
"Vertebrates (pinkies, lizards, etc.) are not a notable part of a chameleon's normal diet in the wild. Too many animal proteins in the diet of an animal that's not a carnivore can wreak havoc on their kidneys leading to kidney damage and gout due to the difference in protein breakdown. Everything your chameleon needs can be obtained through an all-insect diet with good gutloading and supplementation."
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
I believe @nightanole was just talking about a veiled from back in the day fed exclusively pinky mice and lived for 6 years(correct me if I'm wrong!). I wouldn't recommend it, but as a once and awhile thing I think It could be very beneficial.
And if we're talking about parsonii or melleri, I'd be surprised if half or more of a wild adults diet wasn't made up of small birds, rodents, and lizards. Whole prey organs are very nutritious. And for montanes that can be sensitive to supplementation I think it's a good idea when done correctly.
In general though, I probably wouldn't feed vertebrates regularly to anything other than those large species. If I had a large veiled I'd consider giving him a mouse or lizard once and awhile. With vitamin supplementation, gutloading, varied feeders it's definitely not a must.
And if we're talking about parsonii or melleri, I'd be surprised if half or more of a wild adults diet wasn't made up of small birds, rodents, and lizards. Whole prey organs are very nutritious. And for montanes that can be sensitive to supplementation I think it's a good idea when done correctly.
In general though, I probably wouldn't feed vertebrates regularly to anything other than those large species. If I had a large veiled I'd consider giving him a mouse or lizard once and awhile. With vitamin supplementation, gutloading, varied feeders it's definitely not a must.
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yea i dont think there liver/organs like a large amount of "meat", but maybe 10% or so might be fine, and like coffee in humans, im not sure were the benefits stop and the detriment begins. I did raise a veiled with no insects and just pinkies, he did great and got good marks from the vet, but i still wouldnt recommend it.
Could be worse, imagine have a several several pound monitor, that requires half its "meat" diet to come from insects. You have to hope they really like dubia, and you have an ample supply of tossed produce from the local market
Could be worse, imagine have a several several pound monitor, that requires half its "meat" diet to come from insects. You have to hope they really like dubia, and you have an ample supply of tossed produce from the local market
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
No way in hell I am doing it! Lol
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yea i dont think there liver/organs like a large amount of "meat", but maybe 10% or so might be fine, and like coffee in humans, im not sure were the benefits stop and the detriment begins. I did raise a veiled with no insects and just pinkies, he did great and got good marks from the vet, but i still wouldnt recommend it.
Could be worse, imagine have a several several pound monitor, that requires half its "meat" diet to come from insects. You have to hope they really like dubia, and you have an ample supply of tossed produce from the local market
Thank you for posting!
Definitely not something that is a must or even recommended, but I can see why someone would do it with certain species.
insectovore
Established Member
Most feeder lizards offered for sale are wild caught and held in places with lots of other reptiles. Could be loaded with any number of parasites. I think it is a very bad idea.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
That's why you start your own colony or find a clean source if you can.
