Feeder Progression from baby to adult?

[SamanthaElle]

My cham is now one month old and eats just fruitflies.

I tried introducing him to pinheads a few weeks ago but he only ate them the first day. I guess he didn't approve of him new feeder option.

So what's next on his menu? Im a bit stumped since he doesn't enjoy a well-gutloaded cricket hour devours. What's small enough for a baby cham?

Enlighten me with your experience! Because I have none!

Thanks in advance!

Samantha

 

[clarkrw3]

If you can get some silkworm eggs you might want to feed out some 1-2wk silkworms...just be warned that they grow fast so don't hatch too many at once...they will be as big as your 1mo in no time

 

[DavidBuchan]

My male Veiled decided he didn't like crickets anymore after his terrible teen phase (perhaps it was partly because I gave him too many waxworms to make him like me again......). Now I use locusts as a staple for him and he loves them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vU9wM6atm8
They grow slower than even crickets I think, but my breeding programs are a bit stop-start right now. I try to always have one or two wild caught things a week too - spiders, woodlice, flies, etc.
You can buy Phoenix worms in bulk for cheap online (also known as Calciworms). They are awesome for many reasons - no need to feed them, they are jam packed with calcium so no need to dust them, they turn into cool Black Soldier Flies which are loved by most chameleons.

 

[SamanthaElle]

Thank you both!

I am going to start workin some variety into his diet...

Hubble is starting to sprout like a weed so in a week or so he will be chowin down on some mixed bug salad

Oh, and I just ran out to get some Calcium Plus! I'm a huge fan of Superfly, so i figured i would give it a try!

Wow...I have never been more excited about bugs in my life. Can't wait!

 

[SamanthaElle]

My male Veiled decided he didn't like crickets anymore after his terrible teen phase (perhaps it was partly because I gave him too many waxworms to make him like me again......). Now I use locusts as a staple for him and he loves them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vU9wM6atm8
They grow slower than even crickets I think, but my breeding programs are a bit stop-start right now. I try to always have one or two wild caught things a week too - spiders, woodlice, flies, etc.
You can buy Phoenix worms in bulk for cheap online (also known as Calciworms). They are awesome for many reasons - no need to feed them, they are jam packed with calcium so no need to dust them, they turn into cool Black Soldier Flies which are loved by most chameleons.

Oh great! I was worried because crickets are the go-to and so avaiable....but locusts sound great. So you think in a week or so locusts would be a good choice?

And I meant to ask what age would be old enough to phase out fruitflies?

 

[DavidBuchan]

Oh great! I was worried because crickets are the go-to and so avaiable....but locusts sound great. So you think in a week or so locusts would be a good choice?

And I meant to ask what age would be old enough to phase out fruitflies?

Get the smallest locusts you can find and he'll be ok with them now (probably )

You'll know when to completely phase out the flies because they'll start to look even smaller and he just won't bother to eat them any more.........

 

[roxychic3253]

Are calciworms the same as reptiworms? I have a bug dealer near me that told me about these so called reptiworms that have a lot of calcium, protein and fat in them...not too sure what they are though and if they are safe to feed. She said they are a good alternative to crix.

 

[SamanthaElle]

Get the smallest locusts you can find and he'll be ok with them now (probably )

You'll know when to completely phase out the flies because they'll start to look even smaller and he just won't bother to eat them any more.........

Awesome! Thank you David! I am going to start shopping around online for some locust stat!

 

[reptoman]

How little is he? When i fed only fruit flies (it was all i had for a week) to baby panthers after a clutch has hatched they started to show orange in their urate indicating they were not getting enough moisture. Misting was not enough but crickets solved that issue. Within the first week a baby panther can handle 1/8" crickets so you might try getting some a little larger than pinheads and dont dust them every time. He may have gotten one with too much powder on it and does not like them anymore.

 

[theAfamily]

true siblings lol

Well Hubble's brother Pascal is doing the same exact thing. tried crickets again, even cup feed but nothing. I was just going to post the same question lol.
Everyone here is awsome thank you all!

 

[reptoman]

Awesome! Thank you David! I am going to start shopping around online for some locust stat!

I don't think you can get locusts in the US. The UK has them and I wish they were available here. Another option is newly hatched mantids. You might get an ooth from someone on here and try that. Panthers cannot resist mantids!

 

[DavidBuchan]

I don't think you can get locusts in the US. The UK has them and I wish they were available here. Another option is newly hatched mantids. You might get an ooth from someone on here and try that. Panthers cannot resist mantids!

Well, the US is a big place, with different state laws I hear......I bet there's some dodgy people willing to break a silly little law or two..........just sayin'

 

[SamanthaElle]

How little is he? When i fed only fruit flies (it was all i had for a week) to baby panthers after a clutch has hatched they started to show orange in their urate indicating they were not getting enough moisture. Misting was not enough but crickets solved that issue. Within the first week a baby panther can handle 1/8" crickets so you might try getting some a little larger than pinheads and dont dust them every time. He may have gotten one with too much powder on it and does not like them anymore.

Thats so strange because it was the exact oppisite with Hubble. The one day he ate crickets he ended up having orange urates the day after. With c he's usually white with the occasional yellow in his urates.

He ate a few that one day...so I don't know what it was. I watched him hunt and he would eye crickets down then turn around and shoot at the flies.

Hubbles a weirdo.

 

[byrnesr]

My young veiled (~5 months) loves locusts and can't resist them. In fact it's the only bug he will climb out on my arm for, hornworms are a close second. Seems natural considering where veileds come from. We have mantids here in late summer around the porch lights, but since it was so hot food was hard to find for them. The heat brought the locust and it was a boon for my little guy who's not so little now. Now as it chills off the locusts are harder to find and crix appear to be a last resort food for him. What of these reptiworms/calciworms/phoenix worms? Are they a good subsitute for crix? Or better used as a variety food? Roaches are a no according to my wife. She's been patient, and I don't want to push it.

 

[SamanthaElle]

Well Hubble's brother Pascal is doing the same exact thing. tried crickets again, even cup feed but nothing. I was just going to post the same question lol.
Everyone here is awsome thank you all!

I love the name! Pascal!

Thats so weird! What did they teach our little chams!?!!!

Seems like Pascal is doing well! I was in the shop today and they had one panther left. Hopefully someone snatches it up!

 

[SamanthaElle]

Well, the US is a big place, with different state laws I hear......I bet there's some dodgy people willing to break a silly little law or two..........just sayin'

I like your style

 

[theAfamily]

I love the name! Pascal!

Thats so weird! What did they teach our little chams!?!!!

Seems like Pascal is doing well! I was in the shop today and they had one panther left. Hopefully someone snatches it up!

he is other than the food issue, but there's still poop to clean up lol.

I was in there the other day too, he;s starting to look good also.

I found some mantis eggs online but they hatch 50 to 100 lol.

oops, here's the pics

https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-baby-panther-66330/
Pascal bout a week ago

 

[kolorburst chams]

I personally think when they are hungry enough they will eat,i may be wrong though lol never have had one die from starvation