Diet

[Gotti]

I've seen videos on YouTube of peoples Chams eating small fish, pinkies, and even some small lizards.

And I was wondering is that good for them?
Because I've never heard anybody on here talking about feeding there chams such things.

 

[SamanthaElle]

I have heard members say they feed their adults pinky mice every now and then for the high protein content

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've seen videos on YouTube of peoples Chams eating small fish, pinkies, and even some small lizards.

And I was wondering is that good for them?
Because I've never heard anybody on here talking about feeding there chams such things.

Fish are not a normal part of an insect eaters diet. I cant imagine any benefits to offering them. Therefore, I say dont do it.

Pinkies are blobs of fat and dont have formed bones so arent even good for calcium. It would be rare for chameleons to eat rodents in the wild, certainly not baby rodents. Therefore, I say dont do it (unless you have a larger species of chameleon that you are trying to fatten up with fatty food).

Small lizards would be part of their diet in nature, occassionally. Be sure that whatever prey you offer is parasite free (ie not an anole likely wild caught).

More info on various feeders: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

 

[ShortStack]

I've seen videos on YouTube of peoples Chams eating small fish, pinkies, and even some small lizards.

And I was wondering is that good for them?
Because I've never heard anybody on here talking about feeding there chams such things.

Non of those should be used to feed chameleons. Chams are insectivores - they should stick to just eating bugs...

 

[Gotti]

Thanks guys

 

[lslcronk]

For a more specific reason other than it is "bad"...high protein diets are not recommended as it can cause gout - a very painful buildup of uric acid in their blood/joints. For this reason, be very careful not only in feeding your cham a high protein diet directly, you also need to watch how much protein is in your insect gutload. People have had issues when using things like dog/cat food, fish foods and chicken feeds to thier insects.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Non of those should be used to feed chameleons. Chams are insectivores - they should stick to just eating bugs...

Well, not strictly, as they will happily eat plants and meat, making them omnivores really..........but point taken. Especially in captivity it's best to keep meat away from Chameleons, and away from Chameleon food. I know of people who will feed a pinky when a female is gravid. It is not the sort of thing that is at all necessary, so feeding a pinky or anole once a year is going to be much more than enough. Anyone who feeds more often that that is asking for gouty trouble......