Feeding my Yemen Chameleon

[CorinnaRae]

He's a year old and he happily ate 15 locusts yesterday and then I offered him a few today just to see if he would go for them and he was straight on them like he was starving. I was told to feed 5 locusts every other day but I'm worried that's not enough, or maybe he's just greedy and I need to regulate how many he eats? Would love some advice because I don't want to overfeed him but don't want him to be hungry either. Also he seems a bit skinny to me, I weighed him yesterday and he was 55grams, is that about right for a year old Yemen Chameleon or should I be feeding him up a bit?
Thank you

 

[zlew]

Most chameleons aren't prone to overfeeding. I usually give mine as much as they will eat in one sitting. 55 grams is a little small, so I would let him eat what he wants. Make sure you are gutloading those locusts.

 

[kinyonga]

Chameleons are somewhat opportunistic feeders and especially veiled females will overeat. With male veileds, they can be fed more without any issues as long as they are not getting fat and as long as the supplementing is done properly IMHO.

 

[CorinnaRae]

Thank you so much for your advice, I have let him have a few more which he struck for straight away and then he showed no interest after that so at least I know he will stop. I just didn't want to make him poorly by over feeding, would it be an idea to get some wax worms to fatten him up or should I just continue with locusts? Also what's the best way to gut load locusts? I'm currently giving them kale, Apple and carrot and then vitamin coating before feeding them to him.

 

[kinyonga]

What do you mean vitamin coating them?? Its recommended that the insects are dusted at most feedings with a phos. free calcium powder, twice a month with a phos. free calcium/D3 powder and twice a month with a vitamin powder that contains a (prOformed) beta carotene source of vitamin A.

Locusts can be fed a wide variety of greens and veggies such as dandelion greens, mustard greens, collards, endive, escarole, kale, carrots, squash, zucchini, sweet red pepper, sweet potato, etc.

Wax worms are good to use once in a while but not too often. Variety is always good but crickets or locusts are a good staple because they can be easily gutloaded.