Chameleon Won't eat much

[MP Get Back]

Got a bit of a problem at the moment, I have a 10 month old veiled chameleon who has lost his appetite some what, and barely eats. I offer him a range of feeders but he's only partial to the odd locust and wax worm, and his eating behaviours are very erratic. I don't really know what to do so though i'd just post to ask if anyone else has had the same experience or have any ideas to help.

Thanks.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

How often are you feeding him? And how many feeders is he eatting at each meal? It could just be that he's getting older and his appetite is decreasing. You can start feeding him every other day at about that age. Ive found that by feeding adults every other day their feeding response is much better than feeding fewer feeders every single day. But you should prob fill out the ask for help form so we can review your husbandry just to be certain something isnt wrong there.

 

[MP Get Back]

We try to feed him morning and night, around 4 to 5 crickets/ locust is what he used to take, waxworm every couple of days too. He's eating about 1 each meal now.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

It could be that your cham is just older now and his metabolism is slowing. I'd still fill out that help form though. And as stated try feeding every other day and see how his response is. I'd also try adding some new feeders to his diet. Try: silkworms, hornworms, superworms, blue bottle flies, etc...

 

[jrh3]

Bump what texas said, you can also try blue bottle flies, i think a memeber is selling them on here taking orders now. It is hard for a chameleon to turn down anything that flies.

 

[carol5208]

When you say you are feeding him at night, how late do you mean? He should have plenty of time to bask and digest his food before going to sleep. Not saying that is why is food intake is less, just an observation I was making. My chameleon is 10 months old also. He does not eat as much as he used to either. Try changing up the feeders like the other members suggested.

 

[MP Get Back]

More evening than night, around 5-6ish. I've been looking online to get some different feeders, however, can't find any of the ones mentioned in the UK. Not much choice over here! I'll try feeding him less frequently then, see if it helps. Also, we've just moved him to a new mesh viv, much bigger than what he was used too, perhaps his appetite is going down as he's getting accustomed? I'm not too sure, anyone with experience your help is greatly valued

 

[carol5208]

I only feed my chameleon once a day. Maybe try that. If you are feeding him late in the day and his food is not digesting properly by the time he goes to sleep maybe he is still feeling full the next day when you go to feed him. I feed mine early in the morning usually and then the next time is definitely hungry.