Latest time to feed?

[Cait0420]

If I turn my chams lights off at 9pm what's the latest I should feed them so they can bask and digest properly?

 

[nightanole]

Urban legend. It takes 3-4 days for that cricket to come out the other end. As long as its not an out door encloser with 3-4 days of 60F or less you will not have digestion issues.

ALL you need is at least 1 hour of basking time a day, and the days above 70F.

 

[Decadancin]

For a healthy, non-stressed animal an occasional late treat isn't that bad, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. If your chameleon settles in right before 9, then a few hours prior (between 6 & 7) might be O.K. I generally feed prior to 5 pm (usually much earlier but doesn't mean he'll eat then) because my boy turns in prior to lights out. It doesn't matter what time I set the lights for. The warmer temps during the daytime help with the digestion process.

 

[Cait0420]

Ok thank you for the advice

 

[Psychobunny]

I feed my guyz anywhere between 3:30 and 4pm on weekdays, and about 2pm on weekends. Lights go out at 7pm, but it's still some light from the windows.
Never had a problem.

 

[Juliaf3]

I have always fed my boys in the am, with some added wormy treats in the afternoon around one. Yall feed much later then me, Should I be feeding in the evening


not trying to thread jack ya, just was surprised at the feed times posted

 

[fluxlizard]

+1 for it doesn't really matter when you feed.

When they sleep/cool down, so does their digestive system. When they wake/heat up, things start moving faster and digesting faster again.

I feed all sorts of times from first thing in the morning to a few minutes before lights out. Has never been a problem.

Wild chams don't check their wristwatches before eating. They eat whenever the opportunity comes along.

 

[Cait0420]

+1 for it doesn't really matter when you feed.

When they sleep/cool down, so does their digestive system. When they wake/heat up, things start moving faster and digesting faster again.

I feed all sorts of times from first thing in the morning to a few minutes before lights out. Has never been a problem.

Wild chams don't check their wristwatches before eating. They eat whenever the opportunity comes along.

Good point! I was just worried cuz I fed Mal a pheonix worm kinda late and by morning he'd pooped it out completely undigested. His poops are fine now and were fine before so I figured he didn't have time to bask to digest it.

 

[Decadancin]

Exactly the reason I try to feed earlier. I have noticed feeders not digested after my boy eats late. He will occasionally pass two full crickets. It doesn't do any harm that I can see, but he isn't getting the nutrients I want him to get. Of course that should only lead to eating more the next time food is available, so really not the end of the world. I can't say for sure, but having undigested food sitting in your system may have an impact on sleep as well. (I know it does for humans! ) I just don't like to do it often just to be on the safe side.

 

[Iluvheidi]

+1 for it doesn't really matter when you feed.

When they sleep/cool down, so does their digestive system. When they wake/heat up, things start moving faster and digesting faster again.

I feed all sorts of times from first thing in the morning to a few minutes before lights out. Has never been a problem.

Wild chams don't check their wristwatches before eating. They eat whenever the opportunity comes along.

Yea, I do the same. I work weird hours so whenever I am home I give them food. I start work before lights on so usually I wait until I get home. 4:30-7 pm

 

[CarlC]

On days I work my animals get fed when I get home around 7:30. Lights go out at 10. The animals I have outside already also eat this late and fecals look nice with no undigested food items.

Carl

 

[Psychobunny]

+1 for it doesn't really matter when you feed.

When they sleep/cool down, so does their digestive system. When they wake/heat up, things start moving faster and digesting faster again.

I feed all sorts of times from first thing in the morning to a few minutes before lights out. Has never been a problem.

Wild chams don't check their wristwatches before eating. They eat whenever the opportunity comes along.

That reminds me, did you see the David Attenborough film "Life in Cold Blood"?
There is a part where David is with a guide in Africa (I think, or was it Madagascar??) at night and David shined a flashlight on a cham in the bushes. When he did, the cham took advantage of the light, and zapped a bug right in front of them.
So, I does look like they eat whenever they have an opportunity.

 

[junglefries]

Lights on at 7am and off at 7pm. They normally eat 7:01 am - 7:30am. I have seen them pretty regularly pick off stragglers 10 minutes before lights come on. I usually feed again at 1:55pm, if anyone is still hungry. (Pretty specific time, as to kid is out of school at 2:14pm. Since, i got all technical with set schedules, i have noticed an improvement in overall appearance. Whether wishful thinking or not, i don't know. I do feel it made a marked improvement. I do feed them hornedworms and silkworms though at odd times, to keep on their toes. That normally happens at noon or 3-4 pm. Hope this helps.

 

[Cait0420]

Lights on at 7am and off at 7pm. They normally eat 7:01 am - 7:30am. I have seen them pretty regularly pick off stragglers 10 minutes before lights come on. I usually feed again at 1:55pm, if anyone is still hungry. (Pretty specific time, as to kid is out of school at 2:14pm. Since, i got all technical with set schedules, i have noticed an improvement in overall appearance. Whether wishful thinking or not, i don't know. I do feel it made a marked improvement. I do feed them hornedworms and silkworms though at odd times, to keep on their toes. That normally happens at noon or 3-4 pm. Hope this helps.

Yea I was thinking of doing a specific schedule, they eat about 15 mins after their light comes on and usually around 3-4pm but my guys had a reaction to butter worms for a few days and weren't eating for about 5 days so I just started feeding them anytime they'd take em but I'm starting to get back on schedule and they're eating normal again so I think the schedule helps regulate things

 

[sandrachameleon]

I prefer to feed them in the morning or mid-day. But if I feed them a hour before lights out I certainly don't worry about it.