Good Foods For Gutloading?

[Soli]

Hello, I am new to this forum and chameleon keeping. My family got a young male nosy-be panther yesterday. We have researched for months but I am still unsure of a few things. What are some good foods to gut-load with? We have been giving him crickets and have been giving them carrots, romaine and "cricket crack" so far. I also breed dubias as treats for my crested geckos and was planning to feed the babies to the cham, can I gutload them with the same items as crickets?

Also, I read you are supposed to gut-load the prey items the night before you feed, does that mean you offer the insects the night before? I have been keeping food for my dubias in there 24/7....

And one last thing-is it necessary to poke holes in phoenix worms before you feed them to the cham?

Help much appreciated!

 

[Soli]

Bump.......

 

[maxttu]

Dark leafy greens, oranges, carrots are all good. Look up member Sandra. She has excellent blogs on many choices of great guy loads.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hi
welcome to the forum and to chameleon keeping

Here are a couple links to information about gutloading:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html

Keep the crickets fed /gutloaded all the time if you can, but at the least start feeding them well the day before you are going to feed them off to the chameleon. Feed the chameleon in the day, well before lights out. Do not leave uneaten feeders/prey in the cage at night.

Dubia are a good addition. Gutload those like crickets (see link above).

Yes, poke a hole in the pheonix worms (soldier fly maggots) if you chameleons doesnt chew well (to ensure they get digested well).

Add in some other feeder prey types as well. Aim not to have any one feeder prey type make up more than 40% of you chams diet.
Here is a link to a list of the common prey types:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

 

[Soli]

Thank you very much!

 

[Riktor Scale]

Bump.......

Best for panthers
Bare Essentials
Leafy greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, lettuce (Not Iceberg Lettuce!)
Carrots (grated)
Oranges (sliced)
Grains
Addidtional Ingredients
Spirulina
Bee pollen
Dried Kelp
Brewers yeast
Melon

 

[sandrachameleon]

Grains are NOT essential

 

[Riktor Scale]

Grains are NOT essential

I believe for long term health grains are, this is only my opinion though.