Bump Bump!
I just figured I would bump this thread.
I aksed this question back in December, but it wasnt much of a hit.
You constantly see threads about chameleons eatting dirt.
Our husbandry is usually always spot on, but they still eat dirt.
I tried putting river rocks over the soil, but that didnt work.
My male Veiled, Igor, would turn the smallest rocks over to get to the dirt.
Why?
Now I have removed all the rocks and make sure I have organic soil in all my cages.
I have also been sifting the top most layer.
This makes sure no large chunks can be ingested, so you dont need to worry about impaction.
I've been doing a little experimenting with my Veileds.
I have a female Veiled that will most likely be producing several clutches per year, and I also have three adult male Veileds.
The results happened a lot faster then I anticipated.
For the past two months I have been trying different ways to offer calcium for my female.
She has never been a big dirt eatter, but I've seen her do it a few times.
The first thing I did was place a square of black plastic about 6"x6" on the base of her cage.
Then I sprinkled a small pile of calcium onto it.
It took a few days, but I did see her shot her tongue at it.
I tried it a week later and It she ate it again.
The next day I took a medicine cup and cut it in half or around the 1 1/2 tablespoon mark.
I filled it to the top with calcium and suspended it from the screen.
Now she shoots her tongue or takes a chomp out of it every couple of days.
My males were a bit slower to catch on, but are slowly getting there.
Usually when I offer calcium sprinkled at the base of the cage they will eat it.
I usually do it once a week.
I have also been offering different calciums/supplements each time.
MinerAll seems to be the favorite with the males and females.
Sometimes I will also mix in a bit of Herptivie or Sandfires T-Rex Chameleon Formula.
The dirt eatting hasnt stopped, but I dont see it nearly as much.
... Maybe I should get them some help...
