SauceGandhi
Avid Member
There is a staple feeder chart that I have some questions about.
But first, let's compare it to what chameleons are eating in the wild.
This is a chart from the most comprehensive diet study that I could find. It's important to remember that there are locality differences, but from my review of the literature, this is very representative besides caterpillars/butterflies and beetles being in higher numbers in some areas/seasons. The best part about this study is the specific breakdown of the food items. Let's take a look at the important ones, in no particular order:
1. Orthoptera - Acrididae (grasshoppers)
2. Heteroptera - Pentatomidae (stinkbugs)
3. Diptera - Muscidae (house flies)
4. Hymenoptera - Apidae (honey/bumble bees)
5/6. Lepidoptera/Coleoptera - not a much data for these here; various caterpillars/butterflies based on availability. The beetles seem to often be weevils which are somewhat represented here (Curculionidae), but more so I'm pulling from other studies.
It shouldn't really be surprising that chameleons overwhelmingly eat diurnal/arboreal herbivores and pollinators. If you've ever tried feeding any of these, you'll know the intense feeding response they get. Something they all have in common is that you can literally toss them in the cage without worrying about them burrowing/hiding and then coming out at night to chew on your sleeping pet. No need for a feeder cup/run/etc., because these are the natural foods that rise to the top and also share the same wake/sleep cycle.
There is a stark difference between the staple diet in the wild and what we have declared staples as a community. We only have 3 out of the 6 even represented our chart (grasshoppers [listed here as locusts], flies, caterpillars), not to mention it additionally has a bunch of other stuff listed as staples. Let's take roaches, for example. When did the community decide that these were a good staple? A nocturnal and often burrowing omnivore. Most chameleons don't even like them and can easily go on a hunger strike because they are so unappetizing. I get that they're really easy to breed, but are there any other benefits? Roach companies like to make wild health benefit claims with zero evidence. On the contrary, roaches often seem to be the problem when uric acid/gout issues arise. This is merely one example. There are other weird things like superworms and hornworms being considered treats, when I have never seen an actual outcome-based reason why they would be worse than roaches or a couple of those other "staples", although this part is not that important here.
Just to be clear, I'm not against feeding the other insects listed on our chart. We all make compromises, like sticking our pets in a cage that we wish was much bigger at least. Ease of breeding and acquisition are important because we all have lives and don't have time to figure out how to breed the freaking stink bug
. However, listening to Bill Strand recently talking about how we should be leaning towards what is natural unless there is evidence to prove the contrary, inspired me to dig into this. Should we have a higher tier on our chart, for the real staples, if we want to represent the best evidence-based husbandry?
But first, let's compare it to what chameleons are eating in the wild.
This is a chart from the most comprehensive diet study that I could find. It's important to remember that there are locality differences, but from my review of the literature, this is very representative besides caterpillars/butterflies and beetles being in higher numbers in some areas/seasons. The best part about this study is the specific breakdown of the food items. Let's take a look at the important ones, in no particular order:
1. Orthoptera - Acrididae (grasshoppers)
2. Heteroptera - Pentatomidae (stinkbugs)
3. Diptera - Muscidae (house flies)
4. Hymenoptera - Apidae (honey/bumble bees)
5/6. Lepidoptera/Coleoptera - not a much data for these here; various caterpillars/butterflies based on availability. The beetles seem to often be weevils which are somewhat represented here (Curculionidae), but more so I'm pulling from other studies.
It shouldn't really be surprising that chameleons overwhelmingly eat diurnal/arboreal herbivores and pollinators. If you've ever tried feeding any of these, you'll know the intense feeding response they get. Something they all have in common is that you can literally toss them in the cage without worrying about them burrowing/hiding and then coming out at night to chew on your sleeping pet. No need for a feeder cup/run/etc., because these are the natural foods that rise to the top and also share the same wake/sleep cycle.
There is a stark difference between the staple diet in the wild and what we have declared staples as a community. We only have 3 out of the 6 even represented our chart (grasshoppers [listed here as locusts], flies, caterpillars), not to mention it additionally has a bunch of other stuff listed as staples. Let's take roaches, for example. When did the community decide that these were a good staple? A nocturnal and often burrowing omnivore. Most chameleons don't even like them and can easily go on a hunger strike because they are so unappetizing. I get that they're really easy to breed, but are there any other benefits? Roach companies like to make wild health benefit claims with zero evidence. On the contrary, roaches often seem to be the problem when uric acid/gout issues arise. This is merely one example. There are other weird things like superworms and hornworms being considered treats, when I have never seen an actual outcome-based reason why they would be worse than roaches or a couple of those other "staples", although this part is not that important here.
Just to be clear, I'm not against feeding the other insects listed on our chart. We all make compromises, like sticking our pets in a cage that we wish was much bigger at least. Ease of breeding and acquisition are important because we all have lives and don't have time to figure out how to breed the freaking stink bug
. However, listening to Bill Strand recently talking about how we should be leaning towards what is natural unless there is evidence to prove the contrary, inspired me to dig into this. Should we have a higher tier on our chart, for the real staples, if we want to represent the best evidence-based husbandry?
it is the variety that is important. But I think is fine to feed hormworms for 2 weeks, then crickets for 2 etc if that is easier relative to using up the bugs. This happens naturally in the wild as bugs come in waves based on their prefered plant's bloom or foliage cycle.
