Maybe it's the death kicks?

[Silkyslim]

But my chameleon loves to shoot at a bug and give it one chomp and then hold onto it for a min or two before chewing it up and swallowing it down. It is the wierdest thing and I am convinced that Samson likes the way the feeders struggle in his mouth. From the few times he has gaped at me I can get a good view in his mouth and nothing seems to stand out. I even got this pic about a week ago. I would say it looks normal.

I can't reason this one out, anyone have any ideas or experience with this. I am not concerned in the least, in fact I think it's hilarious.

 

[ndugan7]

some of my guys do that too! shoot, one crunch, then they just sit there with it in their mouth! mine will swallow it down right away if they see me holding another bug waiting to be eaten.

 

[Silkyslim]

it's sadistic if you ask me lol

 

[pssh]

Mine will hold them for up to a half an hour. They look at me as if I'm going to steal their food

 

[Silkyslim]

Yeah since I posted this, Samson been holding the same dubia for 10 mins now. I just looked up at him and he finished it off and looks like he wants another........yup he did lol. Thanks guys

 

[dreamforthedead]

My cham Mia has done it a couple of times, they look rather funny. Mia looks at me as if to say "this is my insect i caught it and im not sharing" LOL. Amusing things they really are. Yesterday i give her a locust and she must of really enjoyed it as she sat licking her lips for a good 10mins.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

My males do the same thing. My females seem to eat faster for some reason?
Its like the guys relish every feeder whereas the girls just chomp and go on to the next.

 

[Rockalita]

Mine does that too, the other day he did it wih a mealworm and he looked like he was smoking a cigar with it just sticking out of him mouth!

 

[Silkyslim]

haha I wonder if the kicking of the bugs is an instinctual "toothbrush" of sorts.

Either way it is hilarious.

 

[pssh]

The females naturally want more food for producing eggs. Females generally seem to be less picky.

 

[Dawniegirl]

it's sadistic if you ask me lol

Lol. My guy does the same thing & I just thought that just what they do. I'm with ya though!

 

[theresaintucson]

it's sadistic if you ask me lol

Yeah, but I laugh every time mine do it. Sorry.

 

[steelheadchaser]

Mine will do this too. I think they are waiting for their meal to be dead before sending it down their tender innards. I can't blame them for not wanting to swallow something that may be biting or trying to crawl out.

 

[Silkyslim]

If I were a cham I would do that too. I think the little skritcher scratch of the bug feet on the roof of my mouth would raise me to a level of elation not capable without heavy drug usage.

 

[theresaintucson]

If I were a cham I would do that too. I think the little skritcher scratch of the bug feet on the roof of my mouth would raise me to a level of elation not capable without heavy drug usage.

It's the agony of "da feet". Sorry. I'll quit now.

 

[steelheadchaser]

It's the agony of "da feet".

I wish I had said that!

 

[Silkyslim]

Hah, I nominate that one for worst joke of the year.

Waaaa-waa-waaaaaaa

 

[Bano]

I used to raise cichlids, and I had an oscar that would do that with any live food I gave him. It was really weird because every other oscar I've seen just gulps down whatever moves in the water that fits in their mouths!

 

[dreamforthedead]

Maybe the insects taste much better after they've tortured it for awhile.