When can I feed my chameleon fruits and veggies?

[Ivy2020]

Hello everyone, I am just wondering when can I feed my veiled chameleon fruits and veggies? I am a first time chameleon owner and I heard that you are supposed to feed your chameleon insects when they are young. However, I've had my chameleon for 2 months now (I do not know her exact age as I got her from petco) but she is pretty big now. Does any one have any advice? Thank you.

 

[AmandaS]

You feed the insects veggies and leafy greens, and a little fruit. You chameleon is an insectivore and doesnt need plant matter. In fact, i have read that they cannot digest it.

If you have a veiled it may occassionally nibble on its plants, and you can offer a leaf of kale or a blueberry once in a while, but it is not neccassary. In fact, some suggest against it.

 

[kinyonga]

Is it a male or female?

 

[NashansCamos]

Can we see some photos of him/her and their nclosure?

 

[Ivy2020]

Is it a male or female?

Female

 

[kinyonga]

Since it's a female it will likely eat things like pothos that may be in her cage....so make sure your plants are real, non toxic and well washed bothe sides of the leaves. She may also try to eat substrate in her laybin and plant soil. Does she have a laybin in her cage?

All want to see photos.

 

[Ivy2020]

Can we see some photos of him/her and their nclosure?

Here are a few. I guess she's still small lol.

 

[Ivy2020]

Since it's a female it will likely eat things like pothos that may be in her cage....so make sure your plants are real, non toxic and well washed bothe sides of the leaves. She may also try to eat substrate in her laybin and plant soil. Does she have a laybin in her cage?

All want to see photos.

Yeah she sure loves her pothos plant. She does have a lay bin.

 

[Ivy2020]

You feed the insects veggies and leafy greens, and a little fruit. You chameleon is an insectivore and doesnt need plant matter. In fact, i have read that they cannot digest it.

If you have a veiled it may occassionally nibble on its plants, and you can offer a leaf of kale or a blueberry once in a while, but it is not neccassary. In fact, some suggest against it.

This was very informative, thank you so much!

 

[AmandaS]

It appears you need a T5HO light bar as the coil bulb your currently have are inadequate for chameleons.
The light bar should span the entire length of the enclosure. It will also help add some light some to the other places in there. It looks awfully dark.

 

[Ivy2020]

It appears you need a T5HO light bar as the coil bulb your currently have are inadequate for chameleons.
The light bar should span the entire length of the enclosure. It will also help add some light some to the other places in there. It looks awfully dark.

You're right. I have an 18" t5 light at the moment (hard to see in photo) but it does not reach the entire cage. I went to my reptile store today, but they were out of stock for 36". I might have to buy online.

 

[AmandaS]

You're right. I have an 18" t5 light at the moment (hard to see in photo) but it does not reach the entire cage. I went to my reptile store today, but they were out of stock for 36". I might have to buy online.

I do see it now that you said that. You will want to get a longer one, but its a good thing you do have one. Lol

 

[Ivy2020]

I do see it now that you said that. You will want to get a longer one, but its a good thing you do have one. Lol

Lol yeah, it's hard to believe how expensive it is to have a chameleon! They only cost about 60 bucks, but their lifestyle is expensive! They are truly a labor of love.

 

[NashansCamos]

I use the 24" bulb

 

[Chameleomom]

How hot is your basking area? seems that long stick in the middle of the pics goes right to the top, just under the lamp. Should be 6 to 9 inches down. Just don't want your cham to get a burn

 

[MikeC]

Hello everyone, I am just wondering when can I feed my veiled chameleon fruits and veggies? I am a first time chameleon owner and I heard that you are supposed to feed your chameleon insects when they are young. However, I've had my chameleon for 2 months now (I do not know her exact age as I got her from petco) but she is pretty big now. Does any one have any advice? Thank you.

I would feed them fruits after they ate their crickets. I feed my chameleons watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes(they love grapes), bananas and the obvious greens. Its good for their diet. Take say a half of a grape then cut that in half and squish it a little. I would give each one a half a grape. Use that serving size for everything fruit and vegetable aside from greens. I would give a little more greens. When your chameleon gets older start giving them superworms in their diet as you will see it helps them poop better. Not the mealworms the superworms.
I give my chameleons fruits about every three days. I load my crickets with mainly carrots but potatoes are good too but no where near as much as carrots. Hope that helps.

 

[Chameleomom]

@MikeC You gut load the FEEDERS with the chart I will provide below. You are feeding too much sugar to your chameleon

 

[MikeC]

@MikeC You gut load the FEEDERS with the chart I will provide below. You are feeding too much sugar to your chameleon

View attachment 273040

Thanks for that. I have never seen that before. Is there a direct link for that chart?

 

[Chameleomom]

Yes under the resources tab

 

[MikeC]

Yes under the resources tab

Wow. This is a great site. Everything is here. You cover everything on here. What a great website. There is plenty of good reading under that resources tab. Thank you.