Feeding Termite?

[Matthew G]

Hello, where I live, during Spring, termites fly out of the ground. Today I saw some flying so I went and caught some. Could I feed these to my Cham?

Here's a picture of them.

 

[pigglett79]

I believe they are fine, but of course you need to be sure they have not been exposed to insecticide. If you look at sandrachameleon's prey intake diary below, she feeds wild caught termites, but keeps them for a while before feeding them off to be sure they are safe.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/806-prey-diary-april-may-2013.html

hope this helps.

 

[Matthew G]

They were from underground so I think they are safe. I put about 30 in his cage and they flew everywhere, and he was chasing them all over the place. I think he enjoyed them. The only problem was that some were small enough to slip through the screen...

 

[sandrachameleon]

I offer termites every year. Most of my chameleons eat them fine, but some don't seem to prefer them. I mostly use pale coloured "workers" taken out of logs more than the flying "new queen" ones.

however, your photo appears to show ants, not termites?
at least the flying termites here look a bit different than your photo. Maybe a different type of termite than what I am used to. Im mostly more dampwood termites, rather than subterranean termites.

 

[CarlC]

Flying ants and termites look very similar. Flying ants have a defined abdomen whereas termites would be shaped more like a grain of rice with no distinction of the abdomen. There are also difference's in wing design but this can be hard to see depending on the species. If you get a picture with them laying on their backs that would help.

Both are suitable food items either way as long as the area is completely pestiside free. I've only really ever used the workers like Sandra.

Carl

 

[Matthew G]

Thanks for clarifying, i know they were termites because i also found the regular white termites from a tree some were coming out of.