SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
Looking for diet input. Anyone keeping them have a favorite food item? Feeding technique?
Kinyongia tavetana
- Thread starter SSimsswiSS
- Start date
laurie
Retired Moderator
Steve are you now into all the chams I am?? Good to hear. I feed my tavs a varity for foods. They get crickets, small supers (1" or less) small horns but they aren't crazy about them and they seem to love dubia, very small ones. they are silkies bit again only part of the time. If they could have only supers, dubia, fly's and newly hatched mantids you would have the worlds happiest tav's. Do we get to see pictures of your guys??
Cainschams
New Member
Exactly!!! I have noticed they do not have a huge appetite for worm type feeders. Mine would eat small dubias but they went insane for house flies and other fast moving type insects (moths, hoppers etc.). The new imports werent crazy for crickets but the CH love them. They also like to eat spiders. Definitely free range food items.
What did you get and where are the pics?!?!?!?!
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
Thanks Laurie, No pics. This is for a friend, who received a pair in poor condition. So trying to help. I'll have to send him a few care cups of small supers, and dubia's. I let all my flies go before leaving on trip. Hopefully I'll have some newly hatched mantis too. But sounds like it's been cold and rainy in sunny California lately.
laurie
Retired Moderator
If I can help you are welcome to have your friend give me a call. Tell then good luck from me.
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
Thanks Jared! No pics. (yet). These were confiscated by F&W. Guessing expired paperwork. I might take on the challenge of trying to nurse one of them back to health.
Cainschams
New Member
Unfortunately I have had limited success with WC tavetana, decent or poor shape, and so have others I have talked to. Ive always gotten them when the weather is cold and would like to try my chances on some decent imports when I can acclimate them outside at some point.
Here is what I would/will do.
House one animal in a well planted over sized cage outside. I would go at least 2x2x4 feet. This species is smaller but LOVES to roam. Although the CH did well in what we would call an "appropriate" sized cage for the size, I feel cage size is a HUGE factor in acclimating them. Put the cage where they can bask in the mornings until 12 or 1, have shade from then until 5 or 6 and then let them be able to bask right before dawn. This species loves to warm up. They can handle a good range of temps and humidity outside also. Around 80% at night and can drop below 50% during the day. I noticed all my CH did well in varying humidity levels. Ive kept the CH outside in temps from 45 to upper 86 or even sometimes a little warmer with no signs of heat stress. Of course they had plenty of shade and water. They would also stay out if temps were in high 60s low 70s daytime if there was plenty of sun for them to warm up in.
ALthough never having the chance to acclimate WCs outdoors, dealing with the CH I feel housing outside, cage size, lots of hydration and lots of different fast moving insects would greatly improve chances of successfully acclimating them.
I hope your friend has good luck.
Cainschams
New Member
Ugh. Of course my above post is for an animal that is not completely emaciated. I hope they arent too far gone
