Gut load/and diets
- Thread starter Jay1501
- Start date
deadhd5
Avid Member
Hi Jay. Its a great thing that you are focusing on gutload, it is one of the most important aspects of chameleon keeping.
Forum member Sandrachameleon's gutload blogs is where you need to go for all information regarding gutload. She has many posts, which you should go through, but here is the best place to start:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html#comment1725
I generally always have one leafy green, one fruit/veggie, dinofuel, and a few water crystals in my available for my crickets and roaches. Other bugs get more specific gutloads based (which can also be found in sandra's blogs).
Forum member Sandrachameleon's gutload blogs is where you need to go for all information regarding gutload. She has many posts, which you should go through, but here is the best place to start:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html#comment1725
I generally always have one leafy green, one fruit/veggie, dinofuel, and a few water crystals in my available for my crickets and roaches. Other bugs get more specific gutloads based (which can also be found in sandra's blogs).
jshaffer740
New Member
Something I was wanting to clarify that I don't usually see in posts on gutloading. What is the appropriate format for the veggies, fruits, etc. for a given feeder? For instance, should we puree the leafy greens and fruit and give them a sort of paste? Or just chop it up finely? Or do we even really need to chop it all up at all?
I'm sure it may depend on the type of feeder as well. But I've always wondered this.
I'm sure it may depend on the type of feeder as well. But I've always wondered this.
ReptileLove18
Established Member
check out this blog for gutloading! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
Psychobunny
Avid Member
If you dont grind, mix, chop, etc. the cricks are likely to only pick out the
stuff they like and leave the rest.
I put my veggies and fruit in a food processor and grind it up so it's like a textured slurry
Ummmmm
jshaffer740
New Member
If you dont grind, mix, chop, etc. the cricks are likely to only pick out the
stuff they like and leave the rest.
I put my veggies and fruit in a food processor and grind it up so it's like a textured slurry
Okay, that's exactly what I do as well. I just wanted to make sure that was correct. I'm still working out getting the consistency right I think. As I have had a couple drown/get stuck in the mixture, so I'm thinking it was a little too wet.
ReptileLove18
Established Member
check out this blog about different feeder insects for you cham, lots of info on how much they can make up of their diet https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
your cham may also like some fruits and veggies. these are pretty much just for their enjoyment and for a treat as they should be getting most of their nutrients from gutloaded insects and supplements. you can see if your cham may like romaine lettuce, cilantro, spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, shredded carrots, kale, turnip greens, bananas, pears, strawberries, blueberries, and apples. make sure to cut hard fruits up real small so they are easy to eat. keep in mind your cham may not recognize this as food at first, if you hand feed you could wiggle it arround a little to intice your cham to try it. you can hang the leaves and greens in the enclosure so that your cham can munch as it pleases
let us know how it goes!
Psychobunny
Avid Member
When it's too wet, runny, just add stuff like sweet potato, carrots, stuff that does not have much water.
You should end up with something like a thick pudding.
You can also heat the mixture in the microwave and add a teaspoon of unflavored gelatin, stir, and put in the fridge.
That way, you can slice it, like home made bug burger
ISA my Veiled
New Member
Honestly I get way less complicated than anyone else lol I just use fresh oranges, mangos and potatoes and sometimes even carrots and put them into an even mix. No need to get real complicated, let the water in the oranges and mango do all the work for you, they have enough water content to give adequate hydration. Then maybe you can possibly add bug burger as a sprinkle on top.
Psychobunny
Avid Member
I serve them a blob of my home-made stuff with a blob of prepared bug burger in a feeding bowl for my cricks and roaches.
The bug burger ALLWAYS disappears first!!
The bug burger ALLWAYS disappears first!!
