Would removing fruit grub mandibles mean u can handle them?

[KatCham]

Hi,

As these little blighters have a hell of a bite on them (you can hear them nipping tweezers!), I'm wondering if anyone hand feeds them to their chams?

Can you remove their mandibles or would you have to squash the head or something?

 

[bradley]

I dont hand feed incase I get a nip LOL. Imaging if they got inbetween your fingers, it is gonna hurt!

I have clipped their out parts off before. My chams eat them so quick though. Just make sure you feed head first so they cant turn around and bit the chameleon.

 

[KatCham]

So when u clipped off the mouth parts could you handle them?

I'd really like to know as I want to start hand feeding them if possible.

Could I just squish/remove the head and then wriggle the worm to get Simba to shoot at it!

Anyone hand feed them at all?

 

[djfishygillz]

Can you post a picture of the fruit grub? I am curious about what they look like.

 

[djfishygillz]

Nevermind I found a picture of them on Google. Those things have got to be like candy for the chams LOL with how big and juicy they are.

 

[KatCham]

Here's a pic anyway:

Yeah, Simba loves them! Like giving chocolate to a child! LOL The eyes light up and it's gone in seconds! LOL

Only a treat feeder though as so big and juicy (fatty)

I was hoping to be able to hand feed them to strengthen Simba's trust in me

 

[djfishygillz]

Juicy littler boogers. What fruits are they found in? Do you just leave fruit outside to rot and the bugs make their way over? I guess what I am asking is how do you come across them. What are the temperatures/location?

 

[pssh]

In the UK/Europe they sell them as feeders. I've heard that some people will crush/cut off the mandibles first. If they are anything like crushing the mouth of a hornworm, expect some of the fluid to come out. A lot of bugs will still wiggle after having the mouth parts crushed in my experience. It might still wiggle for you for a few seconds, even if you smash the whole head.

 

[crocky]

EWWW... Those grubs look gross. Reminds me of the ground grubs you find here.
Pssh, I have never heard if crushing hornworm heads. I have handled a thousand of them and never been bit.

 

[pssh]

I was trying it out for the sake of trying it out. I did the same with a silkworms and a superworm. It wasn't worth it, they all started leaking fluids.

 

[KatCham]

LOL! Getting right into the smashing of heads there mind!!! Ewwww!!!

I'll give it a go. Will nip the head hard before I feed it. Better than it nipping me! And Simba will love me!!! (she said very convincingly!! )

 

[KatCham]

OK , so I've TOTALLY changed my mind on this!

What a mess they make when u cut off the head!!!

Simba still ate it like after I dusted it with calcium and wiggled it about a bit but I couldn't bring myself to touch it with all that goop coming out, so feeding tongs still got used LOL!!

He looks no happier colourwise either so I reckon I'm gonna have to wait a few days till he gets over his shedding to see his happy greens and blues again.

One can only try! LOL (Cheeky bugger got a treat for nothing! LOL)