jamncristian
Established Member
am i able to obtain these in Florida??
giant spiny stick insects
- Thread starter jamncristian
- Start date
Lizardlover
New Member
Yes, but they are illegal 
and dont make the best feeders.
and dont make the best feeders.
Chameleonboy
Avid Member
I think they are considered pests in Florida. Why not go looking for grasshoppers? Arenty they common in Florida?
-Clemonde
-Clemonde
Lizardlover
New Member
Not where I live lol
jamncristian
Established Member
is there any stick insect species legal in florida??
i just want variety for my future cham
(my parents don't like roaches and i don't like crickets)
i am planning on breeding:
giant green katydids
super worms
american silk moth (unsure)
stick insects
silk worms (unsure)
millipedes
let me know if any of these are unsafe
and any suggestions are welcome
i just want variety for my future cham
(my parents don't like roaches and i don't like crickets)
i am planning on breeding:
giant green katydids
super worms
american silk moth (unsure)
stick insects
silk worms (unsure)
millipedes
let me know if any of these are unsafe
and any suggestions are welcome
CleaTheChameleon
New Member
Whenever i go to a park that has a big field i go looking for grasshoppers. I can go in front if my house and find any. Its not easy lol
PantherVeileD
Avid Member
why dont you breed roaches in your room and have your parents breed crickets in theirs.. works out!!
CleaTheChameleon
New Member
lol thats a good idea. The problem with cricket breeding in the room is when they chirp i cant stand it while im sleeping. Some people find it peaceful but not me
jamncristian
Established Member
my parents dont like crickets either and they dont want roaches in the house at all
and it will be pretty hard to get them here since roaches are illegal in Florida
millipedes are not poisonous they are herbivores, centipedes are poisonous because they hunt other bugs and lizards
i was thinking about grasshoppers but i don't want to take a chance on parasites or pesticides
but maybe ill get some captive bred
and it will be pretty hard to get them here since roaches are illegal in Florida
millipedes are not poisonous they are herbivores, centipedes are poisonous because they hunt other bugs and lizards
i was thinking about grasshoppers but i don't want to take a chance on parasites or pesticides
but maybe ill get some captive bred
Jakedn
New Member
Here it states that some are indeed poisonous.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060904204402AADqRub
"Due to their lack of speed, millipedes' primary defense mechanism is to curl into a tight coil—protecting their delicate legs inside an armoured body exterior. Many species also emit a somewhat poisonous liquid secretion or hydrogen cyanide gas through microscopic pores along the sides of their bodies as a secondary defense. Some of these substances are acidic and can burn the exoskeleton of ants and other insect predators, and the skin and eyes of larger predators. As far as humans are concerned, this chemical brew is fairly harmless, although it should never be eaten or applied to the eyes. Because of this, caution should be used when handling millipedes."
When picking a species of millipede please do research on that species and make sure that is not poisonous. I also think that they should be fed only as a treat due to a highly chitinous exoskeleton.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060904204402AADqRub
"Due to their lack of speed, millipedes' primary defense mechanism is to curl into a tight coil—protecting their delicate legs inside an armoured body exterior. Many species also emit a somewhat poisonous liquid secretion or hydrogen cyanide gas through microscopic pores along the sides of their bodies as a secondary defense. Some of these substances are acidic and can burn the exoskeleton of ants and other insect predators, and the skin and eyes of larger predators. As far as humans are concerned, this chemical brew is fairly harmless, although it should never be eaten or applied to the eyes. Because of this, caution should be used when handling millipedes."
When picking a species of millipede please do research on that species and make sure that is not poisonous. I also think that they should be fed only as a treat due to a highly chitinous exoskeleton.
jamncristian
Established Member
oh okay ill just forget about those i don't want impaction to occur
I forgot to mention i am planning on using giant red worms too
http://www.unclejimswormfarm.com/index.php?show_aux_page=8
what are your opinions on these??
I forgot to mention i am planning on using giant red worms too
http://www.unclejimswormfarm.com/index.php?show_aux_page=8
what are your opinions on these??
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
I think if you can't do crickets, or roaches, you should think about getting another type pet, maybe.
jamncristian
Established Member
aren't katydids good though??
i heard they are good staple feeders and i am not using them exclusively, i will use the silk worms, super worms, and giant red wigglers most likely
and i am only planning on having 1 male veiled
i am really committed on owning a chameleon and am willing to change my mind
a little bump in the road ain't going to stop me
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
You may find this blog entry useful, as it lists various feeder insects commonly (and a few not so commonly) used: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
Info on the nutrition values of various insects (scroll down a bit):
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition.html
I think you could use primarily silkworms, superworms, katydids, and from time to time buy crickets as well (if you just get a dozen, it takes no time to remove the wings from the male crickets (females dont chrip) so you wont hear them for the few days you have them). Consider adding butterworms and hornworms periodically, and roaches if you can as well. Terrestrial isopods might be something to consider as well (chameleons love them and they are easy to breed).
Info on the nutrition values of various insects (scroll down a bit):
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition.html
I think you could use primarily silkworms, superworms, katydids, and from time to time buy crickets as well (if you just get a dozen, it takes no time to remove the wings from the male crickets (females dont chrip) so you wont hear them for the few days you have them). Consider adding butterworms and hornworms periodically, and roaches if you can as well. Terrestrial isopods might be something to consider as well (chameleons love them and they are easy to breed).
jamncristian
Established Member
i was thinking about terrestrial isopods but they seem so small the cham might not notice them
do you know the name of the largest terrestrial isopods??
i am planning to get an adult male veiled
i don't have too much money because i don't have a job (yet) and dont want to ask parents for money because i want to be responsible and take care of my own things so i am planning on breeding most of my feeders but i can pick up butter worms once in a while
i am wondering about the American silkworms
are they safe to feed as a treat??
thank you for your reply Sandra i was waiting for it
do you know the name of the largest terrestrial isopods??
i am planning to get an adult male veiled
i don't have too much money because i don't have a job (yet
) and dont want to ask parents for money because i want to be responsible and take care of my own things so i am planning on breeding most of my feeders but i can pick up butter worms once in a while i am wondering about the American silkworms
are they safe to feed as a treat??
thank you for your reply Sandra i was waiting for it
Lizardlover
New Member
i was thinking about terrestrial isopods but they seem so small the cham might not notice them
do you know the name of the largest terrestrial isopods??
i am planning to get an adult male veiled
i don't have too much money because i don't have a job (yet
i am wondering about the American silkworms
are they safe to feed as a treat??
thank you for your reply Sandra i was waiting for it
You should teach your principles to other forum members,
As I told you b4 I dont think they are safe, you can re-read my response in your if youd like, isopods have alot of iron if I remember correctly, aside from that fact, they are not good all the time feeders, another thing to add to your list as treats are cultured milkweed bugs
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Isopods are indeed heavy metal bio acumulators. This is only a problem with wild caught ones. If you breed them yourself, this is NOT a problem as you wont be exposing them to metals that they would have to wall-up and so pass along. Ive been breeding and using them for years. My adult panthers have no issue with their small size - they instantly notice these any time they are offered they are eaten immediately. They are almost free to breed, since you can feed them table scraps.
Superworms are also easy and cheap to breed.
If you have access to mulberry leaves, silkworms arent all that difficult to breed and raise. Buying the chow increases costs.
Im not familiar with what an American Sillkworm is, or what it eats, but if its the same family and eats the same foods as the asian ones that are commonly sold as feeders, they are probably safe.
The easiest and cheapest feeder to breed yourself will still be some kind of roach. Maybe you can convince the family that tropical roaches are okay?
Superworms are also easy and cheap to breed.
If you have access to mulberry leaves, silkworms arent all that difficult to breed and raise. Buying the chow increases costs.
Im not familiar with what an American Sillkworm is, or what it eats, but if its the same family and eats the same foods as the asian ones that are commonly sold as feeders, they are probably safe.
The easiest and cheapest feeder to breed yourself will still be some kind of roach. Maybe you can convince the family that tropical roaches are okay?
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