Irregular Feeding

[EChip]

Hello,
Recently my male panther chameleon has been odd with how much he's eating. I usually give him around 5 medium-large hoppers a day and a few mealworms. Usually in the morning he will go straight to them and eat them, but on Saturday something changed.
I gave him his food as usual, and he refused to eat the hoppers and the mealworms. At first I assumed it was just because he was going to start shedding as he usually goes off his food before he sheds, but he hasnt so far.
I took out his food and then put 5 hoppers and mealworms in on the Sunday and again he refused to eat. He eventually ate one hopper and a few mealworms from my hand but that was it. Once again I removed the food from his enclosure when it was nearing night.
On the Monday I tried giving him mealworms first and he immediately ate them. I then put his 5 hoppers in and he ate one and left the rest. When I came back from college later in the day (around 5PM) I searched his cage and he had eaten them all. I then offered him some mealworms and he ate them too.
Today I offered him some mealworms and he refused them. I put in the usual 5 hoppers too hoping he would eat them throughout the day but he has only eaten 2.
Is there any chance he's starting his adult feeding schedule? I thought that was a bit odd since he is only 9 months old and looks like he still has some growing to do.

Info:
Chameleon: 9 Month Old Male Ambilobe Panther Chameleon (Got Him In November)
Handling: Every now and then if he wants to come out (I dont force him out unless I need to check him or give his cage a thorough clean)
Feeding: 5 Hoppers and 3-7 mealworms every day
Supplements: Vitamin and Calcium Supplement every other day (As advised)
Enclosure: Reptibreeze Mesh/Screen Cage (61cm X 61cm X 122cm)
Misting: 4-5 times a day for 1-2 minutes (or until cage is thoroughly wet) with spray bottle
Water: Dripper system that is on all day
Faeces: Normal brown colour/size with white urate
Basking Spot: 28-29C
Ambient: 25-27C
Heating/Lighting Equipment: Arcadia 100w D3 UV Basking Lamp and 80w Ceramic Heater (I only use this when its cold)

I've also uploaded some pictures
Thanks for any help

 

[Dragon1516]

First do not feed him meal worms no nutritional value in it for him as all mealworms are one of the crappiest feeder if not the worst. And yes switch him to an adult schedule but do not feed him mealworms any more they are cheap and don't do anything good for him. Invest in some roaches for him those are %100 better for him. you need more foliage too its too open and plain for him.

 

[kinyonga]

You should be using a phosphorous-free calcium powder at most feedings GS and a phosphorous-free calcium/D3powder twice a month and a vitamin powder twice a month. What are you feeding/gutloading the insects with?
I don't use mealworms at all...there are better options.

Is the basking light on during the day? Are all the lights off at night?

Mealworms might cause constipation. Low calcium can too...affects muscle contractions.

Is the cage drying out before the chameleon goes to sleep?

Don't know if any of this is the problem...but it still needs to be addressed.

 

[EChip]

You should be using a phosphorous-free calcium powder at most feedings GS and a phosphorous-free calcium/D3powder twice a month and a vitamin powder twice a month. What are you feeding/gutloading the insects with?
I don't use mealworms at all...there are better options.

Is the basking light on during the day? Are all the lights off at night?

Mealworms might cause constipation. Low calcium can too...affects muscle contractions.

Is the cage drying out before the chameleon goes to sleep?

Don't know if any of this is the problem...but it still needs to be addressed.

Yeah I make sure the cage is dried out before he sleeps and the lights are on a timer so they come on in the morning and go off at night. Tend to feed the locusts on leafy greens such as cabbage, kale, lettuce and occasionally other veg such as carrots. I'll be on the lookout for some more supplements.
I'll look for different food types for him as well. We get our insects from pets at home which only seem to sell locusts, crickets and mealworms, might have to start a subscription service to get different insects.

 

[kinyonga]

Forgot to mention...phosphorous-free calcium should be dusted on the insects almost every day. I only do vitamins twice a month.

 

[EChip]

First do not feed him meal worms no nutritional value in it for him as all mealworms are one of the crappiest feeder if not the worst. And yes switch him to an adult schedule but do not feed him mealworms any more they are cheap and don't do anything good for him. Invest in some roaches for him those are %100 better for him. you need more foliage too its too open and plain for him.

Would Dubai roaches be the best option? If so, how many would you recommend me feeding along side the locusts?

 

[kinyonga]

I live in Canada so we can't get roaches so I don't know how good they are. Hopefully others will chime in.

 

[ChamLB]

9 mos is normal for them to go to an every other day feeding schedule. I agree drop the mealworms and try to find super worms if you can. They look similar but are a better feeder.

 

[ChamLB]

We use dubia for our panthers. They seem to run hot and cold on them. Our babies and females are the most consistent at eating them. If you have time to hand feed they go for them better when the dubia are on their backs.

 

[Chameleon Crazy Chick]

We use dubia for our panthers. They seem to run hot and cold on them. Our babies and females are the most consistent at eating them. If you have time to hand feed they go for them better when the dubia are on their backs.

My new cham refused to eat dubia one day, but the next day he was going crazy over them. (i.e: I keep the food next to his cage most of the time. He was sitting on the lowest branch in the cage staring at them. I walked in to see him trying to shoot at them. Got the hint, he ate 7 in 3 mouthfuls!)

 

[dboddy31]

I would suggest getting his cage off the floor and putting him on a table. Chams like to be high off the ground.

 

[dboddy31]

You could also try si.kworms if your boy likes worms. Silks are very good for your cham and can be part of his staple diet. Nutrition is great and they help keeping your animal hydrated.You can order them from coastal silkworms. I order them their all the time. They come in a pod. Food already in the pod. Very easy

 

[JacksJill]

I don't think the OP is in the U.S. but Echip might be able to find silks on their side of the pond. There is a great thread by Remkon on growing silks from eggs. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/silkworms-care.153416/ It got me started.