For the first month or so that I had Rango, I only fed him Superworms and crickets, which were dusted in calcium (yes, with D3) 
.
When I first began researching what Chameleons should be eating, I quickly realized that superworms would not cut it and, eventually, might even make him obese. The moment I realized that his (then current) diet would eventually cause his health to deteriorate, I knew things needed to change.
I had avoided Dubia roaches because roaches are simply terrifying, but I quickly realized that fears were significantly less important than a malnourished Veiled. I have my mother’s love for animals, and I quite literally am incapable of watching something so innocent… suffer. It’s unfathomable to me.
I had some pocket money one afternoon, and I quickly decided to make a trip to a (somewhat) local pet store. There, I found Dubia roaches and Hornworms.
That night, Rango’s diet expanded.
I had purchased Calcium without D3 and a small container of Reptivite earlier that week (which I received a feeding schedule for, and have currently created a new one of my own).
At the time, I was still tong-feeding Rango, and it was hard so get his attention when the bug wasn’t able to move very much. I wriggled it gently in front of him and scratched it against the branch he sat on, and it worked like a charm. Rango flicked his tongue out, devouring a roach, and even attempting to munch on a Hornworm (although he immediately spat that one out and decided from then on that Hornworms were scary).
Feeding a Chameleon a diet mostly made of Superworms is like feeding yourself Twinkies and Donuts for every meal. You can live off of it— but it’s only a certain amount of time before an insignificant diet gives you a health defect.
In the end, Dubia roaches are not nearly as terrifying as you may make them out to be. Most bugs are that way, in fact— so don’t be afraid to try something new (unless they’re illegal in your state)!
A proper diet and the correct powders are very important in a Chameleon’s diet! A little change can always go a long way.
Side-by-side of Rango before VS after his diet change: (Casque is taller now; it’s just the angle!)
.When I first began researching what Chameleons should be eating, I quickly realized that superworms would not cut it and, eventually, might even make him obese. The moment I realized that his (then current) diet would eventually cause his health to deteriorate, I knew things needed to change.
I had avoided Dubia roaches because roaches are simply terrifying, but I quickly realized that fears were significantly less important than a malnourished Veiled. I have my mother’s love for animals, and I quite literally am incapable of watching something so innocent… suffer. It’s unfathomable to me.
I had some pocket money one afternoon, and I quickly decided to make a trip to a (somewhat) local pet store. There, I found Dubia roaches and Hornworms.
That night, Rango’s diet expanded.
I had purchased Calcium without D3 and a small container of Reptivite earlier that week (which I received a feeding schedule for, and have currently created a new one of my own).
At the time, I was still tong-feeding Rango, and it was hard so get his attention when the bug wasn’t able to move very much. I wriggled it gently in front of him and scratched it against the branch he sat on, and it worked like a charm. Rango flicked his tongue out, devouring a roach, and even attempting to munch on a Hornworm (although he immediately spat that one out and decided from then on that Hornworms were scary).
Feeding a Chameleon a diet mostly made of Superworms is like feeding yourself Twinkies and Donuts for every meal. You can live off of it— but it’s only a certain amount of time before an insignificant diet gives you a health defect.
In the end, Dubia roaches are not nearly as terrifying as you may make them out to be. Most bugs are that way, in fact— so don’t be afraid to try something new (unless they’re illegal in your state)!
A proper diet and the correct powders are very important in a Chameleon’s diet! A little change can always go a long way.
Side-by-side of Rango before VS after his diet change: (Casque is taller now; it’s just the angle!)
