I'm quite new to this forum and have been researching as much as physically possible to ensure the highest quality of life for my chameleons, and have stumbled upon a lot of changes I need to make to their enclosures and things I can do to keep them happy.
One of the most important things I've noticed I'm seriously lacking on is diet variety and proper nutrition. Currently, I have a male and female veiled pair that are approximately 4 months old and should be the same age, as well as a male panther around 6-7 months. I haven't had either for that long (perhaps a month, maybe 2?) and have just been feeding them gut loaded crickets. The gut loads have been water crystals/gels, cricket food (from the orlando repticon) and potatoes. I know this is extremely lacking, and I intend on buying some mustard greens or better gut loads for the little guys. I've also been dusting my crickets before feeding the last week or so. My calcium supp has D3 in it though, so I've only dusted maybe 3 times, as I am to understand D3 is a weekly thing not an every day thing.
My main question to the community is what should I invest time and money into for proper nutrition for veiled/panther care? I've been diving into research on the best roaches I could get for the guys, they're all small so large roaches seem like they wouldn't work as well. I can't easily access dubia roaches because of Florida's terrible laws and the fact that I don't know any breeders.
So far, I've gathered that it would be reasonable to order some green banana roaches or death heads and start a colony for roach feeders, using oranges/mustard greens/dandelion and water crystals as gut loads in addition to anything else the community would advise. I was also thinking of ordering some silk or hornworms as well, and gut loading crickets occasionally. I am looking into ordering a D3 free calcium supplement for dusting (Anyone know any really good brands?). I'm looking to be cost-friendly since I'm no rich man, so I want to start some feeder colonies.
I've looked into a few blogs that get posted a lot on here, particularly sandrachameleon's, and have a general idea of what to do, but I'm not completely sure.
Anyone with experience in veileds and panthers know a good roach to use, or other bugs? Again, I'm in Florida without a connection so dubias are something I can't do. Any advice is appreciated.
One of the most important things I've noticed I'm seriously lacking on is diet variety and proper nutrition. Currently, I have a male and female veiled pair that are approximately 4 months old and should be the same age, as well as a male panther around 6-7 months. I haven't had either for that long (perhaps a month, maybe 2?) and have just been feeding them gut loaded crickets. The gut loads have been water crystals/gels, cricket food (from the orlando repticon) and potatoes. I know this is extremely lacking, and I intend on buying some mustard greens or better gut loads for the little guys. I've also been dusting my crickets before feeding the last week or so. My calcium supp has D3 in it though, so I've only dusted maybe 3 times, as I am to understand D3 is a weekly thing not an every day thing.
My main question to the community is what should I invest time and money into for proper nutrition for veiled/panther care? I've been diving into research on the best roaches I could get for the guys, they're all small so large roaches seem like they wouldn't work as well. I can't easily access dubia roaches because of Florida's terrible laws and the fact that I don't know any breeders.
So far, I've gathered that it would be reasonable to order some green banana roaches or death heads and start a colony for roach feeders, using oranges/mustard greens/dandelion and water crystals as gut loads in addition to anything else the community would advise. I was also thinking of ordering some silk or hornworms as well, and gut loading crickets occasionally. I am looking into ordering a D3 free calcium supplement for dusting (Anyone know any really good brands?). I'm looking to be cost-friendly since I'm no rich man, so I want to start some feeder colonies.
I've looked into a few blogs that get posted a lot on here, particularly sandrachameleon's, and have a general idea of what to do, but I'm not completely sure.
Anyone with experience in veileds and panthers know a good roach to use, or other bugs? Again, I'm in Florida without a connection so dubias are something I can't do. Any advice is appreciated.
