Feeding Mealworms Everyday

[rmhawk]

I do not do this.

However, i know someone who mentioned that they feed their 5-6 month old Veiled Cham 4-6 mealworms everyday, on top of 8-10 crickets. I have read that this is bad. What can i tell this person the end result will be if he continues to do this.

 

[TylerMcCoy]

probably mbd

 

[Jonas]

Its a matter of nutrition. There are two things commonly addressed, their hard chitin(?) outer layer and their fattiness.

Larvae is often fat due to the fact that their "job" is to collect energy for metamorphosis. Fat is a common way to store energy.

 

[Miss Lily]

Mealworms have a high chitin content (their exo skeleton) which is hard for chams to digest. If fed too many, the cham may become impacted (blockage of the intestines) which can lead to proplapse and even death. Mealworms should be fed as treats - Amy loves them, but she only gets the white newly moulted ones and only one or two a week at the most. Superworms are a better alternative.

 

[Jonas]

Are superworms zophobas?
If so, they should be quite equal, no? If anything they must have more chitin and fat than mealworms?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Apparently the qualities of the mealworm chinton and the superworm/zophobas are different, even though they look similar.

Feeding off freshly molted (white) mealworms is unlikely to cause impaction.
Wouldnt hurt to use freshly molted superworms too, if you happen to have them.
Both are fatty. Both can be gutloaded to somewhat improve an otherwise low nutritional value.

In my opinion, neither the mealworm nor the superworm should be a "staple". Once a week or so is fine though! They need some "roughage" and fat in their diet, and offering up a variety of feeders which includes the restricted use of larva is fine/good.

rmhawk, perhaps your friend/aquaitance could add silkworms, superworms, butterworms, roaches, grasshoppers, flies etc to their chameleons diet, along with crickets and occassional mealworms.

 

[jojackson]

However, i know someone who mentioned that they feed their 5-6 month old Veiled Cham 4-6 mealworms everyday, on top of 8-10 crickets. I have read that this is bad. What can i tell this person the end result will be if he continues to do this.

probably mbd

Rofl...........Are you sure your "The real McCoy" ? I 'heard' handling causes mbd too, and changing color too much, and sleeping pointing down (the Mbd rushes to their head!)

 

[Jonas]

Apparently the qualities of the mealworm chinton and the superworm/zophobas are different, even though they look similar.

Thats interesting, thanks for the information. Have you seen this in a chart for insct nutrition values or something like that?

 

[TylerMcCoy]

i also heard that sarcastic people go to hell and by the way... what does being a misinformed new chameleon owner have to do with being "the real McCoy" ... next time you make derogatory comment make sure your info is are credible or just stfu

 

[tkilgour]

just give them as snacks 1 time a week

 

[sandrachameleon]

Thats interesting, thanks for the information. Have you seen this in a chart for insct nutrition values or something like that?

I've read about it on credible sites. Some point to actual research and I believe the information is well founded. I've also a good deal of personal experience that supports what I've read in this regard.

I've a big believer in providing a wide variety of gutloaded insects. I feel this not only makes the chameleon "happier" but it greatly reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies and health issues.
Also I like bugs, so it gives me a good excuse to raise many sorts of them.

 

[Jonas]

I agree, I have always said that all forms of variation in food intake is a good way to prevent deficiency diseases of all kinds. Its just a matter of amount one have to consider, it often doesnt take much to get a good variation.

 

[dannigrrl]

Before I got George, I read that veilds do not eat crickets naturally, they are worm-eaters.

I fed George silkworms, super worms, mealworms and the occasional waxworm. He had crickets only about once every 1-2 weeks.

He also ate spinach, kale and broccoli.

I don't know if this is "good or not" and you might read otherwise but it definitely worked for me becuase George lived until he was 7 and was healthy as a horse his whole lifetime.

I gutloaded the worms with catfood and veggies and used dusting powder every 3rd feeding.

 

[jannb]

I've read on here that spinach, broccoli and cat food should not be used.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

I've a big believer in providing a wide variety of gutloaded insects. I feel this not only makes the chameleon "happier" but it greatly reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies and health issues.
Also I like bugs, so it gives me a good excuse to raise many sorts of them.

I to have become a multi insect raiser. Crazy how one hobby (keeping chams) morphs into another (keeping live insects).

 

[jojackson]

*******************
Mealworms every day will eventually lead to impaction. Ontop the other insects (unless its young and growing fast) will lead to a fat unhealthy lizard.

 

[panthercrazy]

probably mbd

MBD definition found online "Metabolic bone disease is an umbrella term referring to abnormalities of bones caused by a broad spectrum of disorders.

Most commonly these disorders are caused by abnormalities of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium or vitamin D leading to dramatic clinical disorders that are commonly reversible once the underlying defect has been treated"

Rofl...........Are you sure your "The real McCoy" ? I 'heard' handling causes mbd too, and changing color too much, and sleeping pointing down (the Mbd rushes to their head!)

Jo, some of us totally understand your sense of humor. I, for one, got a good chuckle at the above possible result of 'too many meal worms'

i also heard that sarcastic people go to hell and by the way... what does being a misinformed new chameleon owner have to do with being "the real McCoy" ... next time you make derogatory comment make sure your info is are credible or just stfu

Tit for tat, sarcastic remarks shared but no need to end off such a way. The OP asked a simple question, to which a simple, possible, & realistic result - based on fact was the only answer required.

Too many meal worms usually add to the possibility of impaction due to levels of chinton being hard to digest by the cham as simply stated a few times thus far.

Variety is the best key to any animals well being and good health/nutrition.

 

[rmhawk]

Before I got George, I read that veilds do not eat crickets naturally, they are worm-eaters.

I fed George silkworms, super worms, mealworms and the occasional waxworm. He had crickets only about once every 1-2 weeks.

I cannot get my veiled to eat worms at all. He will down 10 crickets in a blink, yet he lets worms just crawl all over the place.