Panther eating things outside.

[Oski]

Hi I had my panther outside today.

And I noticed, he ate something crunchy sounding on a branch lol,

I was watching him and he aimed at something again which turned out was a snail?? The bush he was on has quite a few small snails on it so I took him off as he seemed to like them.

Would this of caused him any harm? Worried if they are known to have any parasites etc?

Does anyone know if they eat these in the wild as he seemed to know they were food, and they were not even moving just in their shell stuck on the branches,

Thanks.

 

[Hoj]

good question i didnt think about snails i have them all over wouldnt think the shell is good for them but who knows? i too am curious

 

[MINItron]

A lot of chameleons eat snails in the wilds. The shells are just extra calcium. The problem I have heard of with wild snails and slugs is that they can carry parasites.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I wouldnt be too concerned. I dont think a snail could survive very long after being subjected to a pesticide. I wouldnt sit there and let him eat a bunch of em either but I wouldnt freak out. I would be more concerned with the shell than anything. But obviously if they eat them in the wild I guess they can digest and pass it. I'd make sure he got plenty of water for the next day or so just to be safe.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I used to give mine snails. Still would if I had time for breeding snails (its not fast!)
wild snails almost always carry parasites. Be sure to have fecal tests done regularily if letting it eat wild snails. Dont let him eat more than one a week, if possible, to reduce chance of impaction. ensure it doesnt eat snails that are larger than the crickets you would normally feed. If he doesnt chew really well, consider keeping him away from snails.

check out:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/snails-feeder-26373/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...33-snails.html
http://www.amentsoc.org/insects/care...nd-snails.html
http://www.nilesbio.com/subcat340.html
http://www.petsnails.co.uk/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/213-use-wild-caught-insects.html

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

I was wondering about snails myself, thanks for the info!
I have babies hatching everywhere and no pesticides.
I might let Krash try just one!

 

[Echoezra]

What about snails like from someone's aquarium or pond? (I apologize if this is addressed in the links, I haven't read them yet.)

 

[Oski]

Thanks and thanks for the links too