simply eating less or problem?

[flashjord101]

My 9 mth Ambilobe male is eating less. He was a bit dehydrated with orange urate but I corrected it with an early morning misting cycle (before the lights come on) and added a dripper, which he seems to take advantage of here and there. Now he has white urate. Nonetheless, I'm lucky to see him eat 2 large crickets a day. He also skips days without eating. I've also seen him miss his target a few times and lose interest, which is frustrating because I want to see him eat more. I feed him crickets gutloaded with tiki tiki cricket crack, water crystals and I'll also drop in greens and fruit for crickets here and there. I ordered some silk worms and horned worms to add to the diet.
I dust the crickets as per Kammerflage alternating days Herptivite w/beta carotine (twice a week), Phosphorus-free Calcium with vit D (3 times a week), phosphorus free calcium NO vit D (twice a week)

he's in a DIY screen cage 48X24X24 with a big umbrella plant and plenty of fake vines. basking area at 80 degrees. He was gaping any hotter, but is fine now. Humidity seems good. Its been dry here so I mist-king every 2 hours for 6 minutes per.

He seems healthy and happy besides this. Moves around his cage confidently and strong. I handle him here and there as he's always been a willing participant.

thanks for your comments.

also find some recent pics taken last night and today







J

 

[Sherlinwed]

He might also be borded eating the same feeders. If anything switch it up or just wait a few days and then give him the insects. usually that works. The same thing happened to me, but Thor was just bored, so now he has a variety of insects to eat

 

[flashjord101]

Thank you. that's what I figured. However I've seen him take about three shots today and miss every time... issue?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Are his cage temps a little lower now that it's winter? Cooler temps tend to slow their activity down, and subsequenly feeding. Up-ing the basking area temp., might boost appetite. Also insect variety helps simulate feeding. As chameleons mature they tend to eat less. I have a few big chameleons housed outdoors that have'nt eaten in over a month.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Two large a day is okay - kinda depends on how much he is moving around, temperature etc. Is he still slowly gaining weight? He looks to be in good condition in the photo.

I agree you definately want to be providing a variety of feeders.

If you are only offering crickets, and if your gutload and supplement do not contain a little pre-formed vitamin A, it is possible that a muscle control / tongue issue could arise. B vitamin deficiency, magnesium deficiency etc are also possible.
Dehydration can also effect tongue control.

This blog entry may be of interest to you https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/232-tongue-troubles.html

 

[flashjord101]

its def cooler. but raising basking temp makes him gape. I also watched him shoot and miss about 3 times today. Seems like he's been missing more and more.

 

[flashjord101]

Might adding silk worms and an occasional horned worm help this problem? He's had dehydration problems in the past. I know horned worms can help hydrate. How might you suggest boosting vitamin B?

 

[flashjord101]

btw: can't tell if he's gaining wait, but he certainly doesn't look malnourished or skinny.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Might adding silk worms and an occasional horned worm help this problem? He's had dehydration problems in the past. I know horned worms can help hydrate. How might you suggest boosting vitamin B?

Certainly silkworms (and occassional hornworms) couldnt hurt

dandelion leaves are a good source of vitamins, including B, and both crickets and silkworms will eat dandelion leaves. Many pastas are fortified with Vitamin B (crickets will eat cooked pasta). Nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains....lots of sources of B Vitamins.

whether this is helpful for the missing the target issue would depend on whether a B vitamin deficiency was at issue.

You may find the vitamin info / links within this blog entry useful: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html