Eating habits?

[kayladye59]

I just got a 6.5month old chameleon yesterday. I fed him a couple crickets and silk worms and one superworm.. today I wanted to try to feed him dubia roaches so I put about 12 in a little cup so he can see them move and he still hasn’t touched them but I know it’s important that he eats.. any suggestions? As I don’t have any crickets gutloaded??

 

[LizardLurkin]

It's pretty normal that they're shy about eating when you first bring them home. It could take a couple weeks before he starts eating comfortably. On top of that, maybe this video will help you out. It can take them a while to come around to dubia roaches just because of their habit to move to a corner of the feeder cup, hide and stay motionless.

 

[Beman]

You will want to mix new insects in with insects they know are food. This helps them to know they are food and they will start eating the new with the ones they are already familiar with.

 

[kayladye59]

You will want to mix new insects in with insects they know are food. This helps them to know they are food and they will start eating the new with the ones they are already familiar with.

So I know super worms aren’t good for them a lot.. I gave him one yesterday if I put one in there with the roaches would you recommend that?

 

[GrannyK]

So I know super worms aren’t good for them a lot.. I gave him one yesterday if I put one in there with the roaches would you recommend that?

It can’t hurt to put a few superworms with the roaches but don’t be surprised if he picks out the worms. Roaches are an acquired taste to some mine came off roaches for months addicted to superworms, just keep offering.
He won’t starve while you gutload crickets for a day.

 

[kayladye59]

It can’t hurt to put a few superworms with the roaches but don’t be surprised if he picks out the worms. Roaches are an acquired taste to some mine came off roaches for months addicted to superworms, just keep offering.
He won’t starve while you gutload crickets for a day.

Thank you!! This is my baby so be stressin. Lol

 

[Beman]

So I know super worms aren’t good for them a lot.. I gave him one yesterday if I put one in there with the roaches would you recommend that?

So he is still young so his food intake requirements are still higher. What I always did with a new cham is put about a dozen crickets that they know in and then about 10 dubia. They will start picking them off with the others. I avoided superworms mostly because they can bite especially if they are a larger sized. I chose to remove larger sized feeders like larger supers and larger hornworms for this reason. Reducing the risk of bites to the mouth which can lead to mouth rot. Silk worms are a great option and healthy and are a good soft bodied feeder to mix in with your harder bodied insects.

He will figure it out. Go with smaller sized dubia though they are easier for them to grab up with other insects.