maria.meihua
Member
Awesome, thank you so much! I freeze my waxworms and mealworms, can I freeze those worms too? And how would they stay alive through the delivery process? Sorry, I'm kinda clueless.
Jackson's Chameleon not eating anymore, please help :(
- Thread starter maria.meihua
- Start date
I am at work so I didn't watch the video. The biodude's videos are great to watch but he's always oversimplifying details. You need to get a balance with the substrate moisture and misting sessions and humidity. Also the type of plants and their preferred substrate and light requirements are never mentioned by the biodude.
Yes it would introduce other living creatures into your enclosure without you knowing. For example, my own enclosure has a few earthworms and fungus gnats here and there. These are actually beneficial organism.
CamoChameleonsHuman
Chameleon Enthusiast
Rst_Cham
Chameleon Enthusiast
do you mean you refrigerate your worms (not freeze, right?) Yes, you can refrigerate both blue bottle fly larvae and black soldier fly larvae. I pull them out of the fridge and keep at room temperature too when I want them to pupate into flies, chameleons adore flying insects! I do two day delivery and everything lives just fine. I keep my superworms at room temperature, they last a really long time. Rainbow knows how to package and uses ventilated boxes.
maria.meihua
Member
I really want what's best for Chryssa so this is something I'm looking into. But I'm also a giant wuss when it comes to any type of bugs. I have managed to feed her, but bugs honestly freak me out so much I'm positive I have a phobia. Introducing new organisms into my bedroom (where her cage resides) might be drawing a line for me since there tend to be escapee crickets already wandering my room. That's another reason why it might be harder for her to get her nutrition. I know wax moths are a very loved food source for chameleons, but I'd be terrified! I'm slowly trying to get over this fear, though. I mean, I never would have touched a bag of crickets or worms before I got her. I'd rather be terrified and traumatized and she is happy, than the other way around.
maria.meihua
Member
Yes, I definitely meant refrigerate! So... Here's my thing. I'm absolutely terrified of bugs. Is there a surefire method to getting the flying food into the cage, and KEEPING it there? Thanks for dealing with my phobias
I use a gum dispenser to hatch the Black soldier and other flies. It has an easy to close lid so they don't escape the container when I have the cage open.
I just put the larvae and the substrate they come in in the dispenser and when the cage is closed leave the small flap open so the flies can emerge as they hatch. You may have to add a few drops of water weekly to keep them moist.
I just put the larvae and the substrate they come in in the dispenser and when the cage is closed leave the small flap open so the flies can emerge as they hatch. You may have to add a few drops of water weekly to keep them moist.
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maria.meihua
Member
I would have to hatch them? or would it be a possibility to just purchase them? What would you recommend in my case? And thank you for the words of confidence, I'm really hoping I can actually get over my phobia )
)
If you buy black soldier fly larvae they are like little white worms. If left out of the refrigerator and some where warm, like your cage, they will pupate and eventually hatch out as flies. They are very stimulating for most chameleons and encourage them to shoot their tongue.
You don't have to hatch them if you don't want to they are great to use as larvae and easy to feed (slow moving). I'm just giving you options.
You don't have to hatch them if you don't want to they are great to use as larvae and easy to feed (slow moving). I'm just giving you options.
maria.meihua
Member
It sounds like a great idea, just a little scary for me. I think I'll try to do this! Also, I fed her 2 crickets in a cup this morning, which is better than nothing
The bioactive people already answered this one but here is my take on it. If you have a green thumb and not too many animals they seem to work very well. I kill the occasional plant so I like the convenience of having them in pots mounted on the sides of my cage that I can change out when they need care or replacement.
What you want to avoid is plain substrate, bark or fibre that isn't anchored by a plants root system. It's not worth the risk of having it get ingested and cause a blockage. I cover my soil in rocks larger than my chameleons head to anchor the soil and prevent ingestion. The bioactive use dry leaves.
Daesie11
Chameleon Enthusiast
How long do you find that it typically takes the BSFl to pupate and hatch?
maria.meihua
Member
I think I might go for the potted plant route, too. Would you mind providing me pictures and step me through how I would go about doing this if it's not too much of a bother? Thank you again!
I've never really got it down to a science but it depends on temperature. Warmer = faster anywhere from 2-5 weeks. If they get too dry or wet then not at all.
The easiest way is to buy Dragonstrand ledges. Dragonstrand is a site sponsor.
I'm working on a tutorial on how I make my side planters but I'm not even close to finished and it's messy.
To just hang plants in a cage you can place a bar across the top frame and hang plants on wires down from the bar.
I'm working on a tutorial on how I make my side planters but I'm not even close to finished and it's messy.
To just hang plants in a cage you can place a bar across the top frame and hang plants on wires down from the bar.
Highway61
Chameleon Enthusiast
That video is a fail for a multitude of reasons. For one, he's showcasing and setting up an enclosure that is only 18"x18"x36". All the accessories he uses in the video and peddles are for that enclosure only. Also, the price for all that stuff that he basically collects himself does not even include the enclosure. He markets his bioactive packages as if it's all you need but after spending $314.95 (XL), you'll still need:
Basking lamp
Basking bulb
UVB lamp
UVB T5 bulb
Temp thermometer
Humidity thermometer
And the plant bulb he sells is of Chinese prison camp quality. If you slightly over twist the bulb on the LED adaptor it snaps and it completely useless. There are numerous complaints about that bulb and all he'll do is maybe give you 10% off on your purchase of the replacement! I would run, not walk away from biodude.
Rst_Cham
Chameleon Enthusiast
I love bugs but I understand your hesitation! I bet you'll get used to having them around in no time. I think you should definitely try some silkworms, they're downright cute and they move super slowly. Very healthy, and most chams seem to like them. Note: they only eat mulberry leaves or mulberry chow.
