No bugs! Feeder fish?

[ChaminKSA]

We have had our veiled cham for 10 months. We live in the Middle East and you cannot buy live crickets anywhere - and now that it is summer, there are no bugs to be found. We have had some success with canned crickets, but he is loosing interest and he does not seem to care for vegetation. If I had to supplement his diet until the weather cools, what do you think about feeder fish (guppies?). Any input, discussion, or other options would be appreciated. Thanks. (this next fall, I will collect enough bugs to start breeding - who knew they would all disappear!)

 

[sdheli420]

as far as i know..fish dont climb trees....and i wouldnt think that an animal that evolved to be "insectivorious" could properly digest fish...have you tried ordering a bulk amount and caring for them in large bins ..maybe even consider breeding your own insects to feed?

 

[icegecko]

try breeding your own Dubia roaches or other roach species. that's the best bet for you in my opinion. lots of sites carry them.

 

[ChaminKSA]

Thanks for your replies - we do have cockroaches - he ate a few in the beginning, but will not take them now - I believe that he is healthy - he will quickly take a moth (if I find one). I have read about chameleons eating small mice in the wild (opportunistic) - so I was wondering about fish - but if the consensus is no, then I will have to find some other food source - I do have pellets, and can hand feed him - but I think that is a little stressfull. I will try him on cockroaches again - funny story - had about 30 in a container - forgot to shut it after I fed him - woke up next morning to a nice surprise! Thanks again for your help.

 

[seanUTD]

he wont eat pellets, they are sight predators... Offer the cockroaches in a cup, if he is hungry he will eat.... No fish, no animals including mice, animal protein causes a buildup of Vitamin A which will lead to gout. Just find some insects or go to a pet shop Or order in bulk from the internet

 

[sdheli420]

he wont eat pellets, they are sight predators... Offer the cockroaches in a cup, if he is hungry he will eat.... No fish, no animals including mice, animal protein causes a buildup of Vitamin A which will lead to gout. Just find some insects or go to a pet shop Or order in bulk from the internet

couldnt be said better..he needs live insects for proper bone growth, healthy eyes, and a good life..no mice, no fish, no canned food..if you really have trouble with 'finding" insects, just order a whole bunch online and breed them..its pretty easy..i bred crix on my first try, and now they just keep making more..all i do is give them water, food, and a good cleaning once a month..now i have a constant supply of gutloaded crickets..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UOMX_jnKnU

 

[seanUTD]

couldnt be said better..he needs live insects for proper bone growth, healthy eyes, and a good life..no mice, no fish, no canned food..if you really have trouble with 'finding" insects, just order a whole bunch online and breed them..its pretty easy..i bred crix on my first try, and now they just keep making more..all i do is give them water, food, and a good cleaning once a month..now i have a constant supply of gutloaded crickets..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UOMX_jnKnU

You lucky SOB... I have been trying to breed crix for three months with ZERO success (( You must have a green thumb for those stinky little things haha

 

[sdheli420]

You lucky SOB... I have been trying to breed crix for three months with ZERO success (( You must have a green thumb for those stinky little things haha

haha..seriously its easy..they take misting as much as chams..i had to learn how much they love water..its weird..when you mist the chams..mist the crix set up..i mist them maybe 2 times a day if its really hot..the egg laying medium has to be wet, almost muddy, and i have a heat pad under the small one to speed up hatching times..i have TOO MANY!! they just breed faster than my pair of panthers and my lil leopard gex can eat..i may let some go in the back yard in the pile of bricks we have!!

 

[james L]

Guppies and canned foods are better then nothing. I'm not sure how often or how to even attempt feeding a cham guppies, but I bet theres a way. Maybe a shallow pan?
Do you have or can you get a black light and a white sheet? A black light turned on against the sheet right before dark and left on through the night should attract many insects that can be collected through out the night or in the early morning. I would imagine in the middle east summers, most insects roam at night since its cooler. This method has worked well for me.
Goodluck!

 

[sdheli420]

Guppies and canned foods are better then nothing. I'm not sure how often or how to even attempt feeding a cham guppies, but I bet theres a way. Maybe a shallow pan?
Do you have or can you get a black light and a white sheet? A black light turned on against the sheet right before dark and left on through the night should attract many insects that can be collected through out the night or in the early morning. I would imagine in the middle east summers, most insects roam at night since its cooler. This method has worked well for me.
Goodluck!

i would not reccomend guppies or fish..it will cause more issues than help..canned food would be your ONLY last resort..order some crickets from online, its only a click and a few days away..remember they are sending LIVE food in the mail..it has to be at your house within 2 days..your cham can wait 2 days for a real meal (most likley wont eat anything else anyway..and NO fish!)....place an order for crickets and horn worms!

 

[chachilla]

Just place an order online for some live crickets or insect for your chameleon. A HEALTHY chameleon can go for more than a few days with out eating.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I don't know if crickets are as easy to just order online in the middle east as they are here...I have a feeling this person would have already done that if it were.

 

[sdheli420]

I don't know if crickets are as easy to just order online in the middle east as they are here...I have a feeling this person would have already done that if it were.

i thought that too..but there are lots of places here that will still ship international..like to canada as well..of course its not fun to pay for express mail..but then again..its not fun paying for somthing you cant feed correctly and it dies...

 

[kinyonga]

Veiled chameleons will take some greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.), veggies (carrots, squash, sweet red peppers, sweet potato, zucchini, etc.) and fruit (apple, berries, melon, pear, etc.)...you could give him some and see if he will eat that.

If you could get some crickets you could try breeding them.

 

[sdheli420]

Veiled chameleons will take some greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.), veggies (carrots, squash, sweet red peppers, sweet potato, zucchini, etc.) and fruit (apple, berries, melon, pear, etc.)...you could give him some and see if he will eat that.

If you could get some crickets you could try breeding them.

totally!..there are still options to work with..as for the fruit..i got mine to eat it if it was sliced into worm shapes, like a short thick string (strawberry peices)..

 

[kinyonga]

Even fruit or veggie babyfood will work in a pinch.

 

[Hoj]

my veiled loves friut and veggies try diff, things tho they can be picky my guy loves kiwi but wornt touch peach but loves mango as well. chop them into little slivers about 3/4inch long and wiggle it a bit. basially try eveything untill you find something he likes and u gain trust then introduce new things.. dont forget to dust your friut and veggies if you are using the for extended periods.
jmo
hoj

 

[ChaminKSA]

Excellent ideas - Thank you - I will try a black light and white paper, also I will try cutting fruits in worm shapes. No chance of ordering crickets here (KSA) - we thought of sneaking them in but thought they would die when xray suitcases (irradiated crickets!). I will also try the cockroaches again - like you said, if he is hungry enough, he will eat them (since he stopped eating them, I thought maybe they weren't good for him). Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[azgnoinc]

What about house flies? I have spent some time in the middle of the desert in the Middle East, and flies had no problems finding us? Do some online homework on how to perhaps breed your own. We can have them shipped to us here and they come as maggots in a medium - most any cham will love anything that flies.

 

[kinyonga]

Aren't there any WC insects you could collect there (Saudi Arabia)?