Insects not climbing.

[culpepperc]

Hi, This is my first post, and I'm hoping to just get some feedback on feeding strategies for my panther chameleon. He just reached maturity, and I have just moved him from his hatchling cage. I built a nice 2x2x4' cage, but am having trouble getting the crickets and dubia roaches into the upper canopy where my cham hangs out most of the time. Whats the best way to allow them to reach over the pot and into the tree? I know Dubias can't climb, and I was just wanting to hear some different ideas that are being used to get the insects into the upper canopy. Thoughts???.......

 

[Carlton]

Hi, This is my first post, and I'm hoping to just get some feedback on feeding strategies for my panther chameleon. He just reached maturity, and I have just moved him from his hatchling cage. I built a nice 2x2x4' cage, but am having trouble getting the crickets and dubia roaches into the upper canopy where my cham hangs out most of the time. Whats the best way to allow them to reach over the pot and into the tree? I know Dubias can't climb, and I was just wanting to hear some different ideas that are being used to get the insects into the upper canopy. Thoughts???.......

You have to confine them to some sort of container. After all, you are wanting them to do something unnatural...climb toward heat and bright light...both feeders are night active.

I like to use a larger plastic box wedged or hung in the foliage along with a little fresh gutload. The box keeps them in "reach" of the cham during the day when it wants to hunt them, but is larger than a typical feeding cup. The cham can climb down to the rim of the box and shoot at the feeders from there.

 

[Elizadolots]

All my crickets climb to the light. They hang out there taunting my chameleon until he eats them.

I don't know about roaches. However, as Carlton has said, the obvious thing is to contain them at a point the chameleon can see them. If they aren't climbers, then all you really need is a shelf attached to the side of the cage. Instead of dumping them in (as I do) release them to the shelf. Go ahead and let the climbers loose there too...that way they won't have to make the huge climb to the top.

 

[culpepperc]

Thanks for the info guys. I will try a mounted container for the roaches tonight.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

It may take awhile for your cham to eat from a container. I still have some that wont eat unless their feeders are free to roam. My dubias will climb to the top and try to get in the basking area if possible. Same with crickets. The only prob I have is when trying to feed supers, horns,or any other worms. I have to hand feed those or try to make them climb the screen. grr

 

[draetish]

I use feeder bowls, this might give you some ideas.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/training-chameleon-eat-bowl-43550/#post405523