What to feed a year old veiled.

[agentmccool]

So when I first got my chameleon, Boga, I did all the research and everything, it all said to feed gut loaded crickets, mealworms, etc. And that is what I've been doing. But when I went to the vet, she told me that's not okay, and that even when fully gut loaded, crickets still lack nutritional value. Then she said the mealworms are too fatty for her, and to feed her gut loaded earthworms. But everything I see on the internet says they should only constitute like ten percent of their diet. If anyone has any tips, that would be great.

 

[jannb]

Silkworms are great and I also use hornworms, superworms, dubia and flies. Are you dusting his feeders with calcium? He needs 3 supplements; plain calcium, calcium with d3 and a multi vit.

 

[Dunnigan]

gut loaded earthworms

How do you gut load an earthworm?

I feel that you should choose a staple, crickets, silk worms, dubia, ect...and then add some variety to it with, well anything, flies, hornworms, superworms, moths, and if it is a Veiled you can even see if it will eat leafy greens.

But i do feel that earthworms should be offered sparingly

 

[agentmccool]

Jees. What the hell. I thought I could trust my vet hahaha. So you DO recommend gut loading crickets and mealworms? This is so confusing. I do dust the crickets with...let me see...2:0 T-Rex 'calcium no phosphorus with D-3'. But obviously I don't do it enough, because Boga didn't look too good, according to the vet. but I'm working on changing that.

 

[Miss Lily]

Check out this blog - there's loads of information on keeping veileds, especially females, on here! http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

 

[jannb]

Instead of mealworms (they are hard to digest) use superworms and yes gutload everything that you feed him except silkworms. Silkworms are excellent feeders. What kind of lighting are you using?

 

[agentmccool]

For UVA, 150W Zoo Med, and for UVB...I'm not sure. I got it from my brother's friend. For all my other animals, Zoo Med is the UVB I provide, so when her UVB goes out, I'll probably be using that brand. Is that a good brand?

 

[Dunnigan]

For UVB lights you do not want to wait for them to stop working before you change them, you should chage them about every 6 months or so because the UVB output drops over time.

 

[agentmccool]

That's what I heard. And that's kind of annoying that they work that way...But whatever. LLLReptile has them for what, like twenty bucks? SO much better than forty at retail stores.

 

[Dunnigan]

Indeed! I think they are cheaper then 20$, but it be 20 after shipping.

 

[agentmccool]

I've also read that you need to have day time and night time bulbs, so the light doesn't interfere with sleeping. To cut back costs, couldn't I technically just cover the light with something that shields the light, and not the heat?

 

[Dunnigan]

Turn the lights off at night. They need dark to sleep.

 

[chambabysitter1]

I've also read that you need to have day time and night time bulbs, so the light doesn't interfere with sleeping. To cut back costs, couldn't I technically just cover the light with something that shields the light, and not the heat?

Total myth, unless you live somewhere freezing cold at night. They can handle drops in temp in the 60s, depending on species of course. Even then, chameleons are interrupted by any form of light, they can see spectrums well outside of our range, so a red light or black light is very visible to a chameleon. Ceramic if everything, but more than likely you need no light at night, as most keepers dont.

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
Miss Lily provided this link. It sounds like you might still be confused on some things. It is a short read and very very comprehensive. 15 min spend reading now could save you alot of money and heartache later.

 

[Dunnigan]

Even then, chameleons are interrupted by any form of light, they can see spectrums well outside of our range, so a red light or black light is very visible to a chameleon.

I have read that black lights can damage their eyes, not sure how much truth is in this statement tho.

 

[agentmccool]

I considered just turning out all of their lights at night. But then I stopped. I think because I was worried they would get cold, ya know? Well that is good to know. I will start turning it off. And can someone who has good experience with Veileds clarify what is the best type of enclosure for them? Again, my vet said that the best kind is a closed off kind, to trap heat and humidity. But there's the thing. It's trapping air in, and everywhere I've read says that they like fresh air, not stale. So many things contradict! I live in Oregon, by the way.

 

[Dunnigan]

What is the average temp/humidity in the room? Most people on here use all screen cages, because they allow for a good air flow. Veileds have been successfully kept in mainly glass/wood enclosure, but i these circumstances there was an exhaust fan of sorts to keep the air moving.