HornWorms?

[GabeCastro]

Just order a bunch of feeders and picked up some hornworms! Super excited!

I've read that people cut off their mandibles with fingernail clippers so they can't harm the chameleon, but does anyone have tips on making it easier for your cham to grab them? Jasper got the hornworm on his first try, but he walked towards the hornworm with his tongue out and took it off the branch. Wasn't too far, but i really don't want him to hurt himself.

Would those custom feeder cups with mesh nets on a wall help? Might have to rig one up.

Thanks!

 

[squeekz1992]

Idk how to make them easier to grab, my new baby literally ripped one off the leaf and broke the leaf. Haha he's the size of my pinky, the leaf was 2x his size and he broke it

Anywho, I don't really worry about them fighting to get the worm off, I think it is fun for them and makes their wins even more savory

 

[GabeCastro]

Idk how to make them easier to grab, my new baby literally ripped one off the leaf and broke the leaf. Haha he's the size of my pinky, the leaf was 2x his size and he broke it

Anywho, I don't really worry about them fighting to get the worm off, I think it is fun for them and makes their wins even more savory

haha sweet, they don't sound too harmful then!

I've watched youtube videos of chameleons taking in a entire leaf with a hornworm lol.

But I just make sure their mandibles are cut off, even super worms.

 

[squeekz1992]

haha sweet, they don't sound too harmful then!

I've watched youtube videos of chameleons taking in a entire leaf with a hornworm lol.

But I just make sure their mandibles are cut off, even super worms.

Nope, well if they are my baby is just a bada$$

Yeah, they get a little overzealous when it comes to food haha.

Idk how to cut off the mandibles, if it comes to needing to do that, I will make my bf do it

I got squirted with hornworm juice today bout threw up haha

 

[macdaddy]

This is the first time I have seen anything about removing their mandibles prior to feeding. Is this a recommended practice, an absolute, or just something some people do? I do not want to get my guys hurt, so if I need to be removing them I will, but I am curious as to what happens in the wild when there is nobody there to remove them? Would like to understand this more.

 

[GabeCastro]

lol! i use my gf's nail cuticle cutters for the mandibles...(She was pissed)

Those hornworms are pretty juicy though, i wouldn't want to get blasted by one of them!!! XD

 

[squeekz1992]

This is the first time I have seen anything about removing their mandibles prior to feeding. Is this a recommended practice, an absolute, or just something some people do? I do not want to get my guys hurt, so if I need to be removing them I will, but I am curious as to what happens in the wild when there is nobody there to remove them? Would like to understand this more.

Honestly, I think it is just preference. I don't chop off my mandibles for Kuzco, nor did I with Pascal. I haven't had any problems with my worms biting though, either.

When the worms get full sized, if they are a bit big for the cham, I would recommend doing the "dental work" but I honestly have never had the need to do that, and I don't feed superworms so i don't have to remove those mandibles.

In the wild, worst case scenario, the cham would try to eat, not hit the worm on the head, and the worm would turn around and bite the cham. I don't think that a bite from a worm is enough to cause any issues with the cham, just probably piss him off. But I have never researched it.

 

[GabeCastro]

I've just read that people cut them off because there have been a few cases of hornworms biting chameleon lips, eyes, or tongue.

I'd rather be safe than sorry, plus i don't mind doing the "dental work" haha

But majority of members who've used hornworms never had any problems such as the ones i'm worrying about. But they DO happen.

thread w/ accidents (read studiocham's reply):

https://www.chameleonforums.com/do-hornworms-bite-14659/

 

[squeekz1992]

lol! i use my gf's nail cuticle cutters for the mandibles...(She was pissed)

Those hornworms are pretty juicy though, i wouldn't want to get blasted by one of them!!! XD

Omg if my man used my cutters for that i would be sooo pissed haha, he would definitely owe me!

Yeah, I wasn't expecting it either, so I jumped and then kuzco jumped and got all dark haha

 

[GabeCastro]

yup, I had to buy some new cuticle cutters...lol

 

[Calypso]

After hearing these intense horn worm feedings, I want to get some even more. Where'd y'all get yours?

 

[JackP308]

yup, I had to buy some new cuticle cutters...lol

had to buy my g/f new tweezers she didn't want to share with the super worms.

 

[GabeCastro]

After hearing these intense horn worm feedings, I want to get some even more. Where'd y'all get yours?

I ordered mine from www.LindasGoneBuggie.com - She's a super nice lady with excellent customer service. Received my package in 2-3 days. You can even email her if you have any questions. Shipping was $10 bucks, but i can't find these hornworms anywhere!

had to buy my g/f new tweezers she didn't want to share with the super worms.

HAH! The ladies always have the right tools for our chams they'll understand one day...

So far i've used my girls cuticle cutters, tweezers, tiny sharp scissor like things, and nail files lol. I owe her BIG time

 

[Calypso]

Yeah, I've had a bit of a hard time finding them. I think I'm about to order some. Thanks!

 

[GabeCastro]

Yeah, I've had a bit of a hard time finding them. I think I'm about to order some. Thanks!

yup no problem! You're in good hands