Superworm Addiction

[deadhd5]

I purchased a Jackson two weeks ago who was eating like a beast for the first 10 days. Anything I put in front of him he gobbled up in seconds, dubia, crickets, silkworms, butterworms, waxworms, and finally superworms.

In the past 4 days he has stopped eating anything except superworms. He ignores all the other previously mentioned insects but gobbles up the supers immediately.

I am hoping for advice on two fronts:

1.) Since he is still gobbling up supers, can I rule out other causes of this pickiness?

2.) He is 3-4 months old and should be eating a lot to support his growth. How do I break him of this habit and at the same time provide enough nutrition?

Thanks to this great community!

 

[twatts704]

I purchased a Jackson two weeks ago who was eating like a beast for the first 10 days. Anything I put in front of him he gobbled up in seconds, dubia, crickets, silkworms, butterworms, waxworms, and finally superworms.

In the past 4 days he has stopped eating anything except superworms. He ignores all the other previously mentioned insects but gobbles up the supers immediately.

I am hoping for advice on two fronts:

1.) Since he is still gobbling up supers, can I rule out other causes of this pickiness?

2.) He is 3-4 months old and should be eating a lot to support his growth. How do I break him of this habit and at the same time provide enough nutrition?

Thanks to this great community!

Stop feeding him superworms. They are notorious for being like crack lol. I would suggest doing a cup feeding method with some crickets for a couple of days and don't offer any superworms. If he still hasn't eaten in a couple of days then choose a new method.

 

[tkilgour]

Just discontinue feeding for the next couple days. Then re-introduce a new feeder. When he is hungry he will eat. Superworms are addictive and many chameleons go through this.

 

[deadhd5]

Just discontinue feeding for the next couple days. Then re-introduce a new feeder. When he is hungry he will eat. Superworms are addictive and many chameleons go through this.

Thanks Tom, I went through this with Moe recently and now he is back to eating everything I put in front of him. This one worried me a little more because of my jackson's dramatic decrease in eating coupled with his age. I guess I will have to show little Reggie Jackson who's boss!

 

[arnau666]

dont ever feed him again superworms..... i know this becose my veiled went on a 30 day hunter strike only wanting supers.....

 

[twatts704]

dont ever feed him again superworms..... i know this becose my veiled went on a 30 day hunter strike only wanting supers.....

I wouldn't say don't ever feed him superworms but make them a treat. I feed them only once every other day AFTER they eat there other feeders. Works like a charm.

 

[deadhd5]

I wouldn't say don't ever feed him superworms but make them a treat. I feed them only once every other day AFTER they eat there other feeders. Works like a charm.

I think this is a smart strategy.

Its always nice to have a feeder that you know they will immediately gobble down. Its a good test to see how they are feeling and also a sure fire delivery system for calcium, medicine, and nutrients.

 

[Swayne8998]

Oh boy. I have heard this story far too many times...

Some chameleons have a tendency to be like this. Others will just be goats and eat anything. I have one of those chams. Anyway...

As others suggested, discontinue feeding. He will not starve himself. Continue to offer small amounts of crickets, roaches, silkworms, etc. When you notice him taking them, offer more. You may slowly introduce supers over the next few weeks (i.e. 1 a week, the next week is 2 a week, etc.). Superworms are not a bad feeder at all, if they are gutloaded properly.

 

[arnau666]

I wouldn't say don't ever feed him superworms but make them a treat. I feed them only once every other day AFTER they eat there other feeders. Works like a charm.

i said dont ever feed supers becose my cham only wanted them for 30 days...plus they are hard to digest .
from my point of view there are a lot of feeders that are way better for chams .
so this feeder can be replaced with better worms,roaches,locust etc etc - just my opinion - at least thats what i am doing since i had that horror episode .

 

[ASublimeDay]

Blue bottle flies. Flies are the best hunger-strike breaker out there. The chams can't resist them buzzing around the cage. My dad's male veiled can take down 20+ in a day.