Locusts

[sandrachameleon]

if I have it right, this species can be recognized by they never grow wings right?

bright colours, small wings - don't fly well
not found in Canada

 

[sandrachameleon]

Is it necessary to rip off the hind legs? I read a article about the legs making small tears in chams throats, but then I also remember reading about super worms eating through stomachs and that's a myth. I try not to believe everything I read :/

Not necessary to remove the legs, no. But yes the legs can prickly and yes they can possibly scratch the mouth and throat, especially if your chameleon isn't much of a chewer. Its not a significant issue IMHO. I don't remove the hind legs and my chameleons are fine. But I only offer grasshoppers about 6 -10 times a year, in the summer, less than 40 grasshoppers per chameleon spread over a couple months.
Perhaps f you are using these as a major part of the diet, you might use smaller ones or remove the spiky legs. This advice would go for some roach species as well.

You are right, the story about superworms eating through stomachs is ridiculous myth.

 

[italian chameleon]

According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the bright color of Eastern lubbers "is a warning to predators that the lubber contains toxic substances" which have been known to kill birds and make small mammals violently ill. Chameleons are closer to birds than opossums. If their colouration fails to keep a predator away, a lubber can produce a phenolic secretion that consists of a number of phenolic and quinone compounds, some of which are irritants or toxins that deter predation

previous thread about lubbers:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/grasshopper-safe-feed-my-cham-60063/

very interesting! are these locusts found in europe too? i hope not!!

AHHHH Italiano io pure!!! pero vivo in Inghilterra. si vorrei comprare hornworms!!!!

grande! io vivevo a Brighton!

 

[sandrachameleon]

very interesting! are these locusts found in europe too? i hope not!!

native to the south-eastern /south-central United States and possibly some of Mexico, but I think not south America and I don't think they are in Europe. Definitely not in Canada.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

native to the south-eastern /south-central United States and possibly some of Mexico, but I think not south America and I don't think they are in Europe. Definitely not in Canada.

Do not quote me about this however there is a similar species of grasshopper (Lubber) that is found in Australia and possibly South East Asia. If I locate more information I am going to post a link.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Do not quote me about this however there is a similar species of grasshopper (Lubber) that is found in Australia and possibly South East Asia. If I locate more information I am going to post a link.

that would be good info to have. thanks!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

that would be good info to have. thanks!

Here's a link to one species Leichhardt's grasshopper Petasida ephippigera. However they appear not to be poisonous they just taste terrible. This Australian species appears to be extremely rare in their native habitat.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2013/01/30/3679273.htm

Here's a toxic species that is similar to Lubbers from South Africa.

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/02/20/koppie-foam-grasshopper-from-south-africa/