help with feeding!!

[sammnadine]

how old does my veiled chameleon have to be before I can start feeding her silk worms or superworms? also, can she have types of greens and if so, what kinds? (any fruits?) I was giving her some collard greens and then the guy at the pet store who has a chameleon told me that they are strictly carnivorous but everything I've read so far says otherwise. she eats pretty well but I just want to make sure that she can have variety. she doesn't drink much. I'm currently trying to train her with a rodent bottle. she doesn't like the oral syringe that I tried for a while and I mist the leaves about 4/5 times a day for her to drink off of. oh, I also have a dripper or dropper or whatever it's called haha. so if anybody has any other tips regarding hydration as well, those would be much appreciate.

 

[SocialNumb]

First, don't listen to people at the pet store, most of them just don't what they're talking about. The general rule about feeding is no bigger than the head/mouth. You can get some Micro Superworms if you're concerned. There's also tons of other stuff, maybe try a sampler? http://www.lindasgonebuggie.com/page/419991568 Although, wax worms, butterworms aren't great and should be thought of as candy or a treat. Mealworms should be avoided imo. Phoenix Worms (Black Soldier fly larva) are good.

To tell if your cham is drinking look at the poop: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/poop-101.120171/ They tend to drink, not all or all the time, when you're not watching.

Also, some ideas. Mine will eat just about anything so I have to be careful. She also has a thing for banana.


pieces of leafy greens

• romaine
• kale (not daily - some is great, but a lot may not be)
• collards (not daily - some is good, but a lot may not be)
• hibiscus leaves
• dandelion
• endive
• basil
• mint
• cilantro
• mustard greens
• arugula /rocket
• clover (not daily - some is good, but a lot may not be)
• endive
• sprouting alfalfa
• baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
• oregano
• spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

veggies - Make everything of a size that would fit in your chameleon's mouth easily

• shaved/shredded pieces of carrot
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) squash
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) sweet potatoes
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) yam
• zucchini

Flowers

• pumpkin /squash flowers and leaves
• hibiscus - leaves and flowers
• nasturtium blossoms
• arugula flowers
• jasmine flower
• okra flower
• pansy flower petals and leaves
• coneflower Echinacea (not rudbeckia)
• Campanula / Rampion / Harebell / Canterbury Bells - leaves and flowers
• aster / michaelmas daisy - leaves and flowers
• Antirrhinum /snap dragon - leaves and flowers

small, occasional pieces of fruit - very small amounts

• thin slices of mango flesh
• bits of papaya
• half a seedless grape
• blueberry
• thin slice of apple
• a piece of pear small enough to fit into the mouth
• thin small pieces of organic sweet red peppers (of the non-organic foods that have pesticides on them, these are one of the worse - it goes right through the thin skin and into the flesh - so use organic)
  
  

 

[FlChamMom]

My veiled won't eat anything that isn't moving... The space between the eyes is a good indicator for the width of food they can handle safely. Small hornworms and silkworms are great for them. Many chams won't drink in front of you- she may be drinking off the leaves after you leave. As SocialNumb said, the urates are a good indicator of whether or not she is having an issue with hydration. They should be white and "fluffy" (gross as that sounds).

 

[AlienCreeper]

I put fresh greens in with my guy every morning with the crickets/roaches. He doesn't eat them every day but since I have no idea when he might be in the mood for some he gets them every morning with the insects. Some days he will snack on mostly greens and other days it's a bloodbath in there!

 

[sammnadine]

First, don't listen to people at the pet store, most of them just don't what they're talking about. The general rule about feeding is no bigger than the head/mouth. You can get some Micro Superworms if you're concerned. There's also tons of other stuff, maybe try a sampler? http://www.lindasgonebuggie.com/page/419991568 Although, wax worms, butterworms aren't great and should be thought of as candy or a treat. Mealworms should be avoided imo. Phoenix Worms (Black Soldier fly larva) are good.

To tell if your cham is drinking look at the poop: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/poop-101.120171/ They tend to drink, not all or all the time, when you're not watching.

Also, some ideas. Mine will eat just about anything so I have to be careful. She also has a thing for banana.


pieces of leafy greens

• romaine
• kale (not daily - some is great, but a lot may not be)
• collards (not daily - some is good, but a lot may not be)
• hibiscus leaves
• dandelion
• endive
• basil
• mint
• cilantro
• mustard greens
• arugula /rocket
• clover (not daily - some is good, but a lot may not be)
• endive
• sprouting alfalfa
• baby's tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)
• oregano
• spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

veggies - Make everything of a size that would fit in your chameleon's mouth easily

• shaved/shredded pieces of carrot
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) squash
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) sweet potatoes
• small pieces of steamed (and cooled) yam
• zucchini

Flowers

• pumpkin /squash flowers and leaves
• hibiscus - leaves and flowers
• nasturtium blossoms
• arugula flowers
• jasmine flower
• okra flower
• pansy flower petals and leaves
• coneflower Echinacea (not rudbeckia)
• Campanula / Rampion / Harebell / Canterbury Bells - leaves and flowers
• aster / michaelmas daisy - leaves and flowers
• Antirrhinum /snap dragon - leaves and flowers

small, occasional pieces of fruit - very small amounts

• thin slices of mango flesh
• bits of papaya
• half a seedless grape
• blueberry
• thin slice of apple
• a piece of pear small enough to fit into the mouth
• thin small pieces of organic sweet red peppers (of the non-organic foods that have pesticides on them, these are one of the worse - it goes right through the thin skin and into the flesh - so use organic)
  

thank you so much!! this was all very helpful! but what about silkworms? is that a no-go? and the link for the bugs, they come alive, right?

 

[sammnadine]

My veiled won't eat anything that isn't moving... The space between the eyes is a good indicator for the width of food they can handle safely. Small hornworms and silkworms are great for them. Many chams won't drink in front of you- she may be drinking off the leaves after you leave. As SocialNumb said, the urates are a good indicator of whether or not she is having an issue with hydration. They should be white and "fluffy" (gross as that sounds).

how old/big is your Cham?

 

[alphakenc]

Silkworms are way superior than superworms and mealworms,feed alot of them to ur cham to be sure of the proper growth,along with gutloaded crickets n dubia roaches for the main daily diets.

 

[FlChamMom]

how old/big is your Cham?

I have 3, a male veiled who is 3, a male panther who is 3 1/2 and a female panther who is a year and a half.

 

[SocialNumb]

thank you so much!! this was all very helpful! but what about silkworms? is that a no-go? and the link for the bugs, they come alive, right?

Yes, silks are fine and yes, alive. Of course read the details if you're thinking about ordering anything live online.