mealworms for 3-4 mo. old panther cham

[hilltowner]

I've been feeding our 3-4 mo. old cham primarily crickets and mealworms. I've been told recently that mealworms should be minimized as the amount of chitin can cause problems. I've also given him a couple of waxworks, but only once a week. What other bugs can I give him and do any of them need to be gut-loaded?

Thanks!

Marla

 

[Panther16]

Mealworms should only be given as a treat.
There are dubia roaches, fruitflies, mantis, etc
Yes you should always gutload your feeders so your chameleon gets a good amount of nutrients throughout the day.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've been feeding our 3-4 mo. old cham primarily crickets and mealworms. I've been told recently that mealworms should be minimized as the amount of chitin can cause problems. I've also given him a couple of waxworks, but only once a week. What other bugs can I give him and do any of them need to be gut-loaded?

Hi Marla
guitloaded mealworms are fine to include as part of a varied diet, but it is recommended they not form more than 10% of the diet. Waxworms are okay for a young growing chameleon, but better to think of them as treats - especially once the chameleon is adult
Lots of other choices: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
gutloading: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html

 

[HandsomeSanta]

I like to feed my 5 month old veiled Phoenix worms every other day, along with his usual diet of Dubias, and the occasional hornworm. Phoenix worms are extremely high in calcium, and a good size for a young chameleon.

 

[hilltowner]

Thanks so much for the great replies! I guess I'm ordering some dubias and silkworms.

Thanks also for the fantastic link to the Feeders page. That's a keeper!!!

Marla

 

[BoopDoop]

I feed my year old veiled chameleon hawk moths, crickets, hornworms, mantis, superworms, mealworms, butterworms, blue bottle flys, and waxworms. There are some moths that are small enough for your chameleon.

 

[hilltowner]

What size silkworms and dubias do I need for my 3-4 mo. old panther cham.?

Thanks!

Marla

 

[sandrachameleon]

small chameleon = small prey