Hornworms..how many?

[Goggles]

I bought a dozen hornworms (small) at the reptile expo in my area this weekend. I have a 4 1/2 month old veiled and in a couple days the worms will be too big for him. He ate 2 last night and I plan on giving him another 2 tonight.
Should I use them up or flatten the rest. He still gets about 10 1/2" crix a day. He was a little leary at first with the "new" green things wiggling in his cup, but once he ate the first one the second didn't last long at all.

Terry

 

[Vince]

Let him eat as many as he wants. They are a good nutritious meal. Also, a good way to hydrate a cham.

Chameleons wont over eat.

 

[Goggles]

Thanks Vince.
Apparently you haven't met Goggles! He is a piglet. That is why I was asking.
As long as they are not like the worm treats (high in fat) then it should be O.K.

 

[jannb]

I would not over feed him. My chams are adults and I'm careful not to let them over eat. Those hornworn even get to big for my guys. I just let them cocoon.

 

[ColorCham427]

Let him eat as many as he wants. They are a good nutritious meal. Also, a good way to hydrate a cham.

Chameleons wont over eat.

Chameleons will over eat.

 

[Goggles]

Agreed!
Mine will over eat for sure.
Thanks Jann. They are still small though and a couple a day should be ok until they are too big for him?

Terry

 

[Malicious]

Hornworms can be chilled to slow thier growth rate, that would buy you some time. Also, as Jann said you can let them cacoon and feed off the moths, and or breed them once they hatch.

-Jay

 

[Goggles]

Thanks Jay.. in the fridge they go.

 

[jannb]

Hornworms can be chilled to slow thier growth rate, that would buy you some time. Also, as Jann said you can let them cacoon and feed off the moths, and or breed them once they hatch.

-Jay

Jay; Would the frig be too cold? I've put them in a cooler with some ice before but for some reason thought the frig would kill them?????? Jann

 

[Goggles]

Let them turn into moths won't work unless they take a while to pupate because I've seen them and they are way too big for him right now.
Besides I didn't know if he would like them so I didn't get any extra chow besides what was already in the container.
Will the fridge be too cold?

Thanks again
Terry

 

[nick barta]

1 day in the fridge, 2 days out. Repeat as neccessary.

Nick

 

[Goggles]

Thanks Nick.
I would like to hatch out a couple because the moths are pretty cool but the girlfriend isn't that happy already with all the boxes of bugs sitting around

Terry

 

[Malicious]

Thanks Nick.
I would like to hatch out a couple because the moths are pretty cool but the girlfriend isn't that happy already with all the boxes of bugs sitting around

Terry

Decisions..decisions....

I Had a girlfriend that didn't like bugs...

 

[Zen Reptiles]

The moths are a bit smaller than the maximum size that a hornworm gets. They actually shrink quite a bit before pupating.

I wouldn't keep em in the fridge, just don't feed them as much and they'll slow down a bit.

 

[Malicious]

Jay; Would the frig be too cold? I've put them in a cooler with some ice before but for some reason thought the frig would kill them?????? Jann

I emphasize on the word "chilled", as the fridge will kill them fairly easily.

Mulberry Farms recommends chilling them be using a ice chest, placing ice packs on one end, and hornworms on the other. The chest should be right around 60 degrees using that method. Leave them in for 2 days take them out for a 1 day and allow them to feed normally. This will slow their growth rate significantly.


EDIT: 500 Posts w00t!

 

[Vince]

Chameleons will over eat.

I have always been told chameleon dont over eat. Vets, members on here ect. Now all of a sudden they over eat. What the hell is it??

 

[Vince]

Here is one site that will back what i said http://webhome.idirect.com/~chameleon/faq/index.html

 

[Syn]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]*Disclaimer[/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Please note, the "answers" offered in this section are mere suggestions. Every case must be treated on an individual basis, where all variables considered. As ALWAYS, the Chameleon Enthusiast encourages all pet owners to seek professional Veterinary care, and consider the opinions of other chameleon professionals.[/FONT]

*cough* Bottom of the page.

I've read this site before. It has a lot of generalized information, and some is even incorrect. It has good information, if you can pick it out, though.

 

[alhickabee]

I bought a dozen hornworms (small) at the reptile expo in my area this weekend. I have a 4 1/2 month old veiled and in a couple days the worms will be too big for him. He ate 2 last night and I plan on giving him another 2 tonight.
Should I use them up or flatten the rest. He still gets about 10 1/2" crix a day. He was a little leary at first with the "new" green things wiggling in his cup, but once he ate the first one the second didn't last long at all.

Terry

You feed him at night???

 

[Vince]

*cough* Bottom of the page.

COUGH COUGH Chameleons dont over eat. If anything they are fed to fatty of food to frequently. Or to large of insect for the age. Goggles is a young veiled. They eat a lot if im not mistaken, they are growing. Not over eating.

Take it as you want, i own a jacksons and he will never over eat. I have never owned a veiled but i do know they eat a lot when they are growing. I have been told by several reliable sources that chameleons do not over eat they simply eat until they are full.