New chameleon not eating much

[TRMHAAS]

I just bought my first male juvenile veiled chameleon two days ago and he seems to be eating less than most people say their juvenile veileds eat.

I have been feeding him mealworms for the time being until my order of dubai roaches arrives. Hes been eating ~6 a day. Is this a normal stress thing that he will grow out if or do you think he just doesn’t like them and I should try another type of bug?

 

[Grayson Payne]

I just bought my first male juvenile veiled chameleon two days ago and he seems to be eating less than most people say their juvenile veileds eat.

I have been feeding him mealworms for the time being until my order of dubai roaches arrives. Hes been eating ~6 a day. Is this a normal stress thing that he will grow out if or do you think he just doesn’t like them and I should try another type of bug?

I would just think that it’s stress induced. Although I’m not sure. My little guy didn’t eat until the third day!

 

[TRMHAAS]

I would just think that it’s stress induced. Although I’m not sure. My little guy didn’t eat until the third day!

Thats a relief. One more question while i’m here. Since we got him hes been gray. The only time I have seen him as green as when we got him has been when he goes to sleep at night. Could this also be something that will pass as the stress reduces? Maybe i’m just being paranoid, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Grayson Payne]

Thats a relief. One more question while i’m here. Since we got him hes been gray. The only time I have seen him as green as when we got him has been when he goes to sleep at night. Could this also be something that will pass as the stress reduces? Maybe i’m just being paranoid, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Not really sure about that. Maybe @kinyonga or @Beman can help

 

[Beman]

Looks more like he is trying to warm up... Could you post pics of your entire enclosure lights down for me please?

 

[TRMHAAS]

Looks more like he is trying to warm up... Could you post pics of your entire enclosure lights down for me please?

He sits on the hammock in the top left under the light quite a lot. The temperatures where he sits is around 90 degrees, which I thought would be too hot for a juvenile.

 

[KittyB]

He sits on the hammock in the top left under the light quite a lot. The temperatures where he sits is around 90 degrees, which I thought would be too hot for a juvenile.

I just bought my first male juvenile veiled chameleon two days ago and he seems to be eating less than most people say their juvenile veileds eat.

I have been feeding him mealworms for the time being until my order of dubai roaches arrives. Hes been eating ~6 a day. Is this a normal stress thing that he will grow out if or do you think he just doesn’t like them and I should try another type of bug?

Hi!

I kinda suck at this quote/reply thing lol

Here's my input and hopefully more knowledgeable members will chime in/correct me

I have no idea how old your lil boy is but he sure looks wee <3
My boy was so much bigger than the pic of your boy when I brought him home.. and he ate around 9 small crickets 10 small mealworms (not at the same time .. varying days)

Since your Chameleon is so wee, I am going to defer to others here as to what his basking temps can/should be.

I can tell you however that my Chameleon always turns a very dark grey color when basking, especially after a big a meal! when he moves away from his basking bulb or climbs around his enclosure he looks colourful and more vibrant, my Vet told me some Chameleons appear dark to absorb more heat while basking which in turn helps their digestion

 

[MissSkittles]

There are much better feeders than mealworms that you can buy at pet stores than mealworms. Bsfl aka Phoenix worms, calci worms are great and small enough for a little one. Small crickets too. Mealworms are poor sources of nutrition and their chitin is hard for chams to digest.

 

[KittyB]

There are much better feeders than mealworms that you can buy at pet stores than mealworms. Bsfl aka Phoenix worms, calci worms are great and small enough for a little one. Small crickets too. Mealworms are poor sources of nutrition and their chitin is hard for chams to digest.
View attachment 267554

Not sure where the OP lives... but where I live Silkworms are done... no availability for at least 3-4 months. Black soldier is scarce.
Unpopular opinion... My Cham existed on small meal worms for several months and had zero digestive issues (I also gave him fruit and greens which I know is also not popular)

Attached is a pic of my boy with controversial watermelon action shot... not flattering ? (once a month treat)

 

[twistychams]

try some black soldier flys! my chams go insane for them

 

[Grayson Payne]

try some black soldier flys! my chams go insane for them

Same! This is what I first got him to eat and then added some roaches in and other things. I bought mine from joshs frogs.

 

[Beman]

He sits on the hammock in the top left under the light quite a lot. The temperatures where he sits is around 90 degrees, which I thought would be too hot for a juvenile.

If your temp is in fact 90 then that is too hot for baby. Needs to be more like 85. How exactly are you measuring your temp? digital thermometers with probes at the basking level are the best way to get an accurate reading.

I would remove the hammock... these are for bearded dragons. Chameleons can get their nails caught in the hammocks. sticks are your best bet for them.
Your cage should go up on a table not on the floor. Being on the floor will cause stress. They are canopy dwelling animals so they like to be above everything.

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Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
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• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
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Please Note:

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