supplementing feeders

[kpritch17]

Hello,

I am getting close to getting my chameleon and I know the different supplements to use, but I was wondering if you could tell me which feeders need(or don't need) which supplementation. For example, I know phoenix worms are high in calcium so you don't dust them with calcium powder. Also, I heard hornworms are the same. Would you still dust them with multivitamin or minerall? Thanks!

 

[jannb]

You will want to use crickets or dubia for your staple food. They will need to be gutloaded with greens such as collards & kale and fruits & veggies such as apple, orange and carrot. You can also buy a good pre-mixed gutload here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/gutload-sale-30579/ Then the feeders will need to be lightly dusted just about every day for a young cham with calcium without D3, twice a month with calcium with D3 and once a month with a multi vitamin. This is what I use....the 1st, 3rd and 5th http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/
Silkworm and Phoenix I do not dust.

 

[kpritch17]

Could you explain in detail the schedule of supplementing chameleons at different ages? My chameleon that I will be getting will be 6 months old. What should his supplements be on a weekly basis and when do they change? Thanks!!

 

[jannb]

Calcium without D3 5 to 6 times a week until 12 months old......then go to every other feeding. Calcium with D3 and the multi will stay the same. D3 twice a month and the multi once a month. What kind of a cham are you getting?

 

[sandrachameleon]

How much and how often you dust depends greatly on what you feed the feeders, what feeders you use, and the Brand of supplement you use, whether or not the chameleon goes outside, its age and gendre....
really only you can determine the best supplementation schedule, based on all these factors. what other do, what works for me, may not be right for you/your chameleon.

Check out this blog entry for more info:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html

Also if you look at the various nutrition tables available, it will help you.
Those bugs with a poor calcium to phosphorous ratio (higher phos than cal) such as crickets and zophoba morio / superworms need to be fed a calcium rich diet and lightly dusted with a calcium supplement. Those naturally higher in calcium, like soldier fly larva (pheonix), butterworms and terrestrial isopods do not need to be dusted.

 

[kpritch17]

Thank you guys so much for your help! I have a schedule down for supplementing him now. I'm getting him tomorrow morning-hes a 7 month old ambilobe

 

[sandrachameleon]

Enjoy! Post pictures