How do I stimulate appetite?

[Slug]

Full disclosure:

I just got my first cham 2 days ago, so I am still very new to cham ownership, so bear with me and please be encouraging rather than brutal.

Ok so here is the situation at hand. I got my cham on Friday, let it get used to it's home all day and night, put a couple of crickets in it's cage and sat back to watch the feeding...the feeding never happened. It is now 2 days later, the same crickets are still there, hanging out in the corners of the cage. A few times they have wandered right in from of the cham and it just looked at the cricket and let it leave. I have even put a mealworm in a cup and the palm of my hand, and nothing. (My guess on the mealworm situation, is my hand being involved in both cases). I have witnessed the cham poop twice, and by everyone's description of a healthy poo, it looks good.(It may just be me being impatient, but I want to head this off if it is a problem).

Any help is welcome, just be gentle, I am still learning tips and tricks.

 

[carol5208]

First of all of course we will be gentle, you are just starting out and everyone has questions and concerns. You will probably continue to have questions and concerns as long as you own a chameleon!! A couple of days to not eat is not unusal. So don't freak out just yet. She may have just eaten the day you got her. Make sure your crickets are not too big in size. Just try and relax, although it is hard not to worry!!! Just give him a little more time. Are you sure all your temps and lighting are right?

 

[Slug]

As far as I can tell, my lighting is right, I actually have a post (that I need to update since I now have my cham) that used the HOW TO ASK FOR HELP form as a means to get ready for my purchase. I will update it and refer you to it, and we can go from there.

I never realized a chameleon would be so relaxing, yet so stressful. Too many youtube videos of older chams eating will do that, I guess. Now I have high expectations.

If you go to my profile, the post is called HELP ME GET READY! That should have all the info updated, then please tell me what you think.

Slug

 

[armyrec1]

Try fruit flies. They always worked for us. Stimulates their senses and their appetites.

Good luck

 

[Flabonsai]

Full disclosure:

I just got my first cham 2 days ago, so I am still very new to cham ownership, so bear with me and please be encouraging rather than brutal.

Ok so here is the situation at hand. I got my cham on Friday, let it get used to it's home all day and night, put a couple of crickets in it's cage and sat back to watch the feeding...the feeding never happened. It is now 2 days later, the same crickets are still there, hanging out in the corners of the cage. A few times they have wandered right in from of the cham and it just looked at the cricket and let it leave. I have even put a mealworm in a cup and the palm of my hand, and nothing. (My guess on the mealworm situation, is my hand being involved in both cases). I have witnessed the cham poop twice, and by everyone's description of a healthy poo, it looks good.(It may just be me being impatient, but I want to head this off if it is a problem).

Any help is welcome, just be gentle, I am still learning tips and tricks.

I also got mine 2 days ago so we are in the same boat. Mine ate 3 crickets the first day and yesterday I didn't see him eat any and today he ate 1. So I've been a little worried but I think it is normal from what I've been reading from the other members. Lets hope they start eating better over the next few days or so.

 

[Drago]

I also got mine 2 days ago so we are in the same boat. Mine ate 3 crickets the first day and yesterday I didn't see him eat any and today he ate 1. So I've been a little worried but I think it is normal from what I've been reading from the other members. Lets hope they start eating better over the next few days or so.

That is almost exactly how my cham reacted to his new home and eating.

By problem was two fold I believe. Aside from the cham being nervous and taking a couple days to settle in, I started of with a cage that was way too big for a 2-1/2, 3 month old veil (24 x 24 x 48) figuring he would grow into it. Two days later, I bought one much smaller (16 x 16 x 30) and he started eating right away.

 

[lysinlight87]

my guy barely ate a thing for the 1st 10 days. Turned out the meal worms and locusts were terrifyingly the huge! That's hindsight tho, at the time I thought they were fine. He was also just settling in & a bit freaked out. I switched to small locusts & that set his tummy rumbling. He's a greedy lil thing now

 

[Flabonsai]

That is almost exactly how my cham reacted to his new home and eating.

By problem was two fold I believe. Aside from the cham being nervous and taking a couple days to settle in, I started of with a cage that was way too big for a 2-1/2, 3 month old veil (24 x 24 x 48) figuring he would grow into it. Two days later, I bought one much smaller (16 x 16 x 30) and he started eating right away.

Yeah my cage is (18X12X20) So I think it's a good size for him to start out in. I'll keep you guys posted once he starts eating better. Lets hope Slug and I have some good news in a few days or so.

 

[Slug]

Update: I added a feeder cup and one of the crickets fell in it while exploring, so we shall see what happens with that. I will also pick up some fruit flies, but will I end up with them all over the house? I am afraid they will get through the screen.

Also, I have an 18x18x36 Reptibreeze cage. Should I get a smaller terrarium as a temporary cage? If so, I know of a great deal on one I can pick up tomorrow.