Can you feed earthworms?

[sugar]

New to chameleons. Are earthworms a good feed for them? Haven't seen any postings for earthworms for chameleons. Is there a reason? I feed earthworms to my turtles.
I'm growing my own for them. Just got some European Nightcrawlers to start my new project. Cool offer at http://www.earthwormworks.com/European_Night_Crawlers_FREE/European_Nightcrawlers__Free.htm They are so big compared to red worms. And I don't have to refrigerate them.

 

[Sancho]

In my opinion earthworms are not a good choice for chameleons.
Parasite issues aside, I think this feeder would be hard for them to eat.
Worms are slimy and I don't think they would stick to the tongue well.

Best Feeding Options
1.) Dubia Roaches
2.) Crickets

For Snacks:
Hornworms
Superworms
Silk Worms

Also the search button is a great function
https://www.chameleonforums.com/earthworms-grubs-ok-6978/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/earthworms-3747/

 

[Debmonster]

Good question.

I generally think about how the animal (any animal) get it's food. Since chameleons are arboreal then I think of flying insects and crawling things. But meal worms and crickets are usually earthbound (not in trees) and they eat those while in captivity.

I'm curious as to what the more experienced chameleon keepers have to say.

 

[Vegas Chad]

save the earth worms for fishing, composting or to throw to a bird... for the pain that they would be your better off with the easy to feed food that is on hand.

 

[sandrachameleon]

If you are raising your own worms, you know what they are ingesting and will thus avoid all the worries about parasites, etc. But dont use worms from bait shops or your back yard.

Earthworms can be a good source of calcium.

Many chameleons will not eat them though.

 

[ciafardo 4]

they dont stick

 

[sandrachameleon]

Stick to what? Tongues? Yes they do. Especially if you rinse them.

 

[dodolah]

a part of the misnomer in chameleon tongue action.
They don't rely solely on sticky surface of their tongue. If that's the case, then they would have problem grabbing certain large preys like bird and other lizard.
Chameleon tongue "grips" and when shot, the muscle tip form a conical depression that creates vacuum. Essentially, it acts like a suction cup.

 

[sandrachameleon]

KEWL I did not know that

 

[jejton]

Not to mention that a chameleon will sometimes just eat something without grabbing it with its tongue. I've seen my cham walk up to grubs, worms and just chomp them down, just like they do with veggies.