How do I know my Pygmy Chameleon is eating?

[Siejuban]

I just got my new Pygmy Lead Chameleon yesterday, once I put it in the new home, I saw it eat a fruit fly in 30 min.

My question is:
How do I know it is eating? Since I am not sure if the feeders are hiding somwhere.
And, how much does it need to eat a day? It is a baby, about 2 inch long.

 

[Shawntea]

at 2 inches it is plenty big enough to eat small crickets. My juvenile bearded pygmies eat every other day between 5 and 7 crickets.

 

[hbskeet]

Two inches with a the tail or nose to tail base? If you could show a picture it I could definetly tell you what to feed it and how so you can keep track...The picture should have something to compare it to so I can tell the size.

 

[Siejuban]

It is from nose to tail, a little more than 2 inches. I feeding it small cricket and fruit flies, and leaving small superworm in a cup. Just I don't know if it is eating, and I don't see the cricket I put inside, not sure if they are being eaten or hiding. I don't have photo, just video, but will take one once I am back home

 

[hbskeet]

It is from nose to tail, a little more than 2 inches. I feeding it small cricket and fruit flies, and leaving small superworm in a cup. Just I don't know if it is eating, and I don't see the cricket I put inside, not sure if they are being eaten or hiding.

Do you have a picture of the enclosure?It's hard to suggest things with see it bc everyones situations are different. If you are feeding small crickets you don't need the fruit flies...

 

[lisa h]

Get rid of the superworm. Your pygmy sounds large enough to eat small crickets. Put some crickets and/or fruitflies in, and leave him alone. He may not want to eat while you are looking at him. The best way to know if he is eating is too look for poops. When food goes in it has to come out. You will also be able to tell if he is drinking enough too.

Try not to look in on him all the time -- think how nervous you'd be if giant people were always peeking in your windows.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Do you know it's a baby? Two inches in length is pretty close to adult size, and baby pygs are not commonly available. I would start feeding pinhead to 1/8" crickets for better nutrition. He could eat 4-5 little crickets every other day. In all honesty you probably won't be able to keep track of it eating. If you have a densely planted cage like pygs like you won't be able to find extra feeders. As long as your pyg looks good he's eating. They have good little appetites. If you're lucky you'll see feces and then you'll know for sure.

 

[Siejuban]

It is juvenile as I was told.

So I can just leave 5-7 small cricket there every other day, and let it eat.

 

[lisa h]

It is juvenile as I was told.

So I can just leave 5-7 small cricket there every other day, and let it eat.

Yes, as long as they are the proper size and not too big.

 

[Shawntea]

please be sure not to get feeders too big, the pygies can choke, and the bigger crickets will bite your chams while they are asleep.

 

[Siejuban]

I am feeding them small size cricket, about 1/4 inch.

Just saw it ate 2 cricket, I am amazed to see it can shot its tongue to 3-4 inches far to catch its prey, longer than its body.