sphynx moths as feeder

[dodolah]

how old do you think a chameleon is ready to eat a sphynx moth (hornworms adult stage)? they are awfully big, aren't they?

I got moths about to emerge and i plan to give them to my veiled cham (8 months old) as soon as the moths lay eggs.

thanks guys!

 

[dodolah]

should i treat it like soft bodied feeders (meaning that i can bend the rule of the "width of forehead")?
anybody?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

My guess is your chameleon could handle the moth.
That is assuming he is not scared of it and will actually try and eat it.
Kitty is very cautious of large prey (ie: full grown dubia scare the s*#! out of him!)
He's a pussy.

-Brad

 

[dodolah]

hahaha.
Alright, i'll try releasing them in the cage as soon as they finish laying eggs.
Thanks Brad!

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Here's only photo's I have of this moth being fed off. I nursed this baby Pansonii back to health last year and offered a varied diet that included Sphynx moths. As you can see, the moth was a pretty big meal. I can easy see how these giants can take on birds later in life. Last picture is progress report of chameleons health. He just passed the one year mark with me last week. 1 year and growing.

 

[dodolah]

wow! how old is the parsonii, Steve?
what a gorgeous animal!
is he from kammers?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

wow! how old is the parsonii, Steve?
what a gorgeous animal!
is he from kammers?

In the picture of him with moth, I estimate him at under six months. I received two males from a group that Underground Reptiles sold last March. He was about 60 grams when I recevied him. I have yet to weigh him this year, but I'm sure he's in the 200 range now. Sounds like a good weekend job for me to do, I hate to disturb them when there bodies slow down for winter. but spring has sprung and there a bit more active these last few weeks.