Won't eat Crickets

[brighteyez]

For some reason, my jackson won't eat crickets. Is that normal?? He will occasionally, but most of the time he just stairs at me like he doesn't get it.

If I put a slug, or a worm in his cage, he goes staight for it. So I know he's hungary. He's eaten crickets sometimes, but it's always hard. It takes for every and then most of the time he won't eat it in the end.

What should I do?

 

[lrg83caleb]

My panther has been doing the same thing. I completely took crickets out of his diet for a couple of weeks to see if that would spark his interest. The other day he ate 6 crickets at one time. I have found that variety is key to keeping my guy interested in eating. He tends to get bored if I offer him the same stuff everyday.

 

[SimonBolivar]

Its probably just a mater of choice. Like caled said, variety could spark up your cham interest in yum crickets again.
Try making a flavour spice and sprinkle it on the crickets too. I done that easily and reptiles love it.

 

[brighteyez]

Its probably just a mater of choice. Like caled said, variety could spark up your cham interest in yum crickets again.
Try making a flavour spice and sprinkle it on the crickets too. I done that easily and reptiles love it.

A flavour spice????
Do you mean using just regular spices from the kitchen? Do you have a recipe I could use?

I just got some silkworms and superworms in the mail today. So far he hasn't eaten any, but I've only tried once. I know he loves slugs because I gave him some that I caught at my mom's house, but I can't get any here because the spray my apartments with insecticide once a month.

 

[SimonBolivar]

Not really. Is a bit of a science spice making. I wouldn't give a recipe because you could end up poisoning your cham. Don't want that to happen
It's a tricky art, look it up. If you succeed your cams expression will finally show a smile.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Are you cup feeder? Free-range feeding?

Some chameleons will find one bug or another (often fatty larva) more tasty than another (like crickets) and will stubbornly wait until its preferred food is provided. One way to avoid this is to never offer the same prey twice or even three times in a row - lots of variety. AND dont offer too many of less nutritionally sound prey (not too many larva). Chances are it will eat the crickets or whatever else when it gets hungry enough, if you dont give in Its a little like human 5 year olds who wont eat their veggies, unless you dont give them dessert until they have done so.

 

[brighteyez]

I'm a cup feeder for the most part. I'm starting to think that he really just doesn't like it when I watch him eat. If I hold a worm in a cup he often won't eat it, unless I'm looking away, or put it on a leaf and walk away.

Could lack of eating have anything to do with not getting enought light? He doesn't really eat much of anything.

 

[albacheck]

How often and how much do you feed him? How old is he?

 

[MEPOKEU]

My jackson rarely eats crickets. Usually he wont ease lose ones. If i hold a cricket in front of his face he sometimes eats it.


Try blue bottle fies. My jackson loves them and will eat every single one.

 

[chrisarc]

Some animals just prefer some foods just like us. If ur offering a varied diet thats gutloaded well and ur guy is drinking well dont even worry about it. Try a horn worn or 2 every now and than. I guarantee he will luv em.Mepokeu; luv the ferret got 2 myself.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Secure the cup to the cage, add food, walk away. Come back later to remove uneaten food.

 

[brighteyez]

Secure the cup to the cage, add food, walk away. Come back later to remove uneaten food.

I've tried that many a time. I don't think he really gets it. Not of the food is ever eaten.

 

[brighteyez]

My jackson rarely eats crickets. Usually he wont ease lose ones. If i hold a cricket in front of his face he sometimes eats it.


Try blue bottle fies. My jackson loves them and will eat every single one.

Blue bottle flies, can do! Where can I get those?

 

[warpdrive]

Blue bottle flies, can do! Where can I get those?

a good place is mantisplace.com

http://www.mantisplace.com/feederinsects.html

Harry

 

[sallyb]

I totally agree with the variety thing - as probably seen on my last thread, i was having the same trouble with Gizzy. She suddenly decided she did not want crickets anymore, but after inroducing a bit more variety she has begun eating them again over the last two days. I can`t help but wonder if wild rocket increases the appetite as all of a sudden this morning she wolfed down 6 crickets as well as several small pieces of rocket too ! Anybody any idea about this ?