Feeding question

[GarynTampa]

My sub-adult Ambanja is < 1 week old from the Pet Store and is used to "feeding" when the employees get to work (~ 10:00AM). Their idea of feeding was to throw a 1/2 doz + crickets in the cage, then move on. I'm sure this was a regular routine for them (and him).

Now that he's home, I'm wanting to get him used to a little earlier feeding schedule, since I'm "at work" a little earlier than his previous owners.

His basking lights are on by 7:00 AM and he is already under the light soon thereafter.

How soon would you recommend I start feeding him?

I don't want to just "throw" his food in, rather hand feed him.

Any comments?

Gary
Tampa, FL

 

[Wykd]

Well when do you goto work?

My lights are on @ 7am, 1st misting is 7:30-7:35. I start gathering crickets and dusting them after the misting stops. Then once that is ready I start feeding. I put some in the feeder and tong feed a few as I am doing that. This way they can eat some at that point and know that I am a good dude and not to be afraid as I bring food! Then they can come hit the cricket feeder as they want thru the day till its empty.

You need to mix it up some do not get them so spoiled they will not hunt for themself or at least eat from a feeding cup. If they only eat from YOUR hand what would it do if something happened and you needed someone else to feed them?

 

[GarynTampa]

Wykd:

What are you using for a cricket feeder? Unless I break off the back legs, they will jump out of my little feeding station (I currently have the 2-cup magnetic version which I use for superworms).

As I have read many times, it's not advisable to let crickets roam the cage a they may nip at the Cham.

Gary
Tampa, FL

 

[Drago]

As I have read many times, it's not advisable to let crickets roam the cage a they may nip at the Cham.

Gary
Tampa, FL

Maybe someone esle can chime in with more knowlage, but I belive this only happens at night?? I "only" free range my crickets, my cham will not cup feed. If there are any big ones left roaming around before lights go out, I pull them out. If their pins and only a couple, I don't bother. I just leave them in the cage.

 

[Wykd]

I use various things for cricket feeders... a 20oz mt dew bottle, a big apple juice container, etc... just cut them in the middle and put screen mesh in them so the crickets can climb up but not climb out.

 

[jlee17]

feeding

hi everyone,
I just joined this group and am still trying to find my way around it. I purchased an ambilobe blue bar 5-7 inch chameleon and he came in the mail yesterday. I have been doing a lot of research but I can't seem to find concrete answers..
Maybe you guys could answer a few questions for me..
1. how many crickets SHOULD a baby chameleon eat daily?
2. Can he have mealworms? (I've heard and read mixed answers about this) I gave him two today.. Should these guys be on a feeding schedule?
3. This is a big one. should babies receive calcium with D3 1x daily or once a month?
Thanks everyone for your help. I want to be as responsible as possible and give my guy the appropriate life he deserves.
Jamie

 

[jamjam]

hi everyone,
I just joined this group and am still trying to find my way around it. I purchased an ambilobe blue bar 5-7 inch chameleon and he came in the mail yesterday. I have been doing a lot of research but I can't seem to find concrete answers..
Maybe you guys could answer a few questions for me..
1. how many crickets SHOULD a baby chameleon eat daily?
2. Can he have mealworms? (I've heard and read mixed answers about this) I gave him two today.. Should these guys be on a feeding schedule?
3. This is a big one. should babies receive calcium with D3 1x daily or once a month?
Thanks everyone for your help. I want to be as responsible as possible and give my guy the appropriate life he deserves.
Jamie

young chameleons eat ALOT as much as they will eat in a span of 5 mins and can do that several times a day. will prob be between 12-25 crickets daily. meal worms are meh, they can be offered but i wouldnt do it regularly, supers are a better choice. silks, horns and phoenix worms are other great choices. ideally d3 and vitamins should be offered twice a month and calcium without d3 at almost every feeding. however yesterday read an increased amount for young chams.