Just double checking

[MollyT]

I'm getting my new chameleon tomorrow, and I just want to make sure my feeding plans are okay. I had a little veiled before, but he was too young and really stressed so feeding him was a task to say the least. He only really ate one cricket a day, which I know isn't normal! Anyway...my guy is 3 months and is hunting his food, so I thought I would let 6 or 7 go in the morning after lights on and his first misting, then another 6 or 7 again in the early afternoon. How does this sound? Is that enough? Of course I will be dusting my crickets and gutloading. I just want to make sure I am offering him enough, since my only experience was a less than average one. How long should I wait to remove the not eaten ones, or should I just leave them? Thanks for the advice!

 

[ChameleonMom]

Early congrats on your new little guy! Its always exciting to have a new cham in the house! As far as feeding goes, I always feed my chams in the morning, after their first misting that way they have the day to digest and process the nutrients you are giving them. If you feed them close to lights off, then the 'good' of the food/supplements isn't used to full advantage. Also, the rule of thumb for feeding is as many feeders as your cham will eat in 5 minutes. Anything left over comes out.

Just a suggestion that may prove useful...with your guy being so young you may want to consider cup training him right from the get go so you can completely know (control) how much your guy is eating AND, you won't have to chase rogue crickets out at night before lights off. If you want to have him 'hunt' as part of his exercise routine, then leaving 2 loose crickets in the viv can accomodate the hunting instinct.

I'm certain some more senior members will chime in here if what I've mentioned isn't proper. Have fun with your little guy!

 

[sandrachameleon]

I agree with chameleon mom.

If you use a large bowl or two, it still is a lot like natural hunting for the chameleon. And you can leave a little food for the crickets in the bowl, to keep them gutloaded (though supplement will be essentially gone in a couple hours). And when you offer something other than crickets, like silkworms or butterworms, those can be free-ranged.

Offer as much as can be eaten in about 5 minutes, three or four times a day at that age. The exact quantity will vary, depending on size of the feeders. warmth of the basking area, age of the animal etc