How much should a juvenile male veiled be eating

[Phillips]

Yesterday my male veiled only ate on mealworm when a few were available as well as a cricket. I'm afraid of him not eating enough and worry he may be too thin. Does he need to eat every day? And how much should he be eating? Another question I have is whether or not it is normal to see ribs. I was looking at their anatomy and it seems the way they are built that their ribs will show no matter what. True?

 

[Kate]

Yes you can see their ribs. How old is your veiled? As they get older they need less food and can be fed every second day. also when sheding some eat some dont. Could he be bored with what you are giving him. I weigh mine every now and again to check he is maintaining his weight

 

[nightanole]

Fat/skinny cham is based on tail meat. You want to see definition, but not hip bones.
Here is a pleasantly plump male
http://www.essexreptiles.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Caresheets/Yemen_Chameleon.JPG


and a borderline skinny fellow:
http://www.wallpapersshop.net/wallpaper/veiled-chameleon/

And the ideal:
http://www.redorbit.com/media/uploads/2004/10/41_1124cdd25770c71cc64e7151a2fb7796.jpg

Differences:
fat guy has no tail definition, its just a tube.No hips.
Skinny guy has a ridge above and below on the tail.
Ideal guy has a shaply tail and a little hip, but you can not see bones.


In terms of food. You should feed him as much as he will eat in a half hour if you cup feed, daily. As he gets older he will start not eating every 3rd-4th day. By the time he is 9-12 months he will be at his adult feedings of every other or 3rd day. My adults were on a schedule of only eating big on the weekends, and a snack or 2 during the week.

 

[Phillips]

Not sure on the age, the lady we got him from was not sure. I am uploading a current picture of him right now. Maybe you can tell from the picture how he looks and approximate an age.

 

[nightanole]

Im guessing 6-7 months. hes still got all his baby shapes, but is getting the adult colors.

 

[DavidBuchan]

I think he looks like a reasonably healthy (and very sweet ) 4 month old. It can be difficult guessing age because they grow at different rates. Here is a great all-round caresheet for Veileds which gives recommended feeding schedules on page 2 - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

I wouldn't worry if he has an occasional day when he isn't hungry though. Maybe he's about to shed, that sometimes affects appetite

 

[Ladybones]

To me your's looks to be 4-5 months old, Here is my Male Veiled and he will be 6 months old on the 1st of Jan...My guy is a pig and will eat all day if he could, I feed him 12 Crickets daily today i dropped 15 in his food dish and he ate them all so I know he could eat more then 12 daily, he loves his food lol

 

[DavidBuchan]

Another good looking boy congrats Ladybones. Here is mine at 4 months - https://www.chameleonforums.com/mem...rin-tin-tin-picture11671-whos-pretty-boy.html

 

[Ladybones]

David, your 4 month old is going to be bursting with color when he is an adult, very good looking boy!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Thanks, he's actually 2 years old already - https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/davidbuchan-albums-rin-tin-tin-picture19047-a.html