not eating alot
- Thread starter Sirny
- Start date
PardalisGirl
Avid Member
Winter slowdown.....
You live in an area where they do slow down a bit...just like I do. Lots of overcast days and sunset at 4:30 pm. If you have windows in the room they see this and the change affects them. I let adults go through this process and just keep a close eye on them. You want them to keep drinking and they should eat periodically.
I have my young ones and my babies kept with artifical bright room lighting so they don't slow down. I keep them warm like summer too. In nature they hatch and grow when water, food and good temperatures are steady. I have cages all over the place. If cages are in a room corner away from a window I put in an extra HOUSEHOLD CFL (spiral). Not the reptile ones. The household CFL brightens things up without adding heat. It's just too dark in the corners and inner walls of my house on days like today. It's 1:00 pm and I'm sitting in my office and it's dark in here even with some room lighting because I'm away from a window. It feels like it's nighttime. I want my chams to get a change of season but not to the point where they feel like I do right now.
You have to look at your individual cage situation and your natural sunlight (through windows) situation and see how dramatic the change is. If you think the slow down in his behavior is too much you can add the extra light. If you think the temperature in his cage could be lower too because of the seasonal change you can add a regular lightbulb to add light and heat.
You live in an area where they do slow down a bit...just like I do. Lots of overcast days and sunset at 4:30 pm. If you have windows in the room they see this and the change affects them. I let adults go through this process and just keep a close eye on them. You want them to keep drinking and they should eat periodically.
I have my young ones and my babies kept with artifical bright room lighting so they don't slow down. I keep them warm like summer too. In nature they hatch and grow when water, food and good temperatures are steady. I have cages all over the place. If cages are in a room corner away from a window I put in an extra HOUSEHOLD CFL (spiral). Not the reptile ones. The household CFL brightens things up without adding heat. It's just too dark in the corners and inner walls of my house on days like today. It's 1:00 pm and I'm sitting in my office and it's dark in here even with some room lighting because I'm away from a window. It feels like it's nighttime. I want my chams to get a change of season but not to the point where they feel like I do right now.
You have to look at your individual cage situation and your natural sunlight (through windows) situation and see how dramatic the change is. If you think the slow down in his behavior is too much you can add the extra light. If you think the temperature in his cage could be lower too because of the seasonal change you can add a regular lightbulb to add light and heat.
draetish
Avid Member
Not to take this thread from Sirny, but you said they should eat periodically. For an adult male veiled and panther how long without eating should you worry? Both will not eat anything but supers and I have tried starving them for 2-3 weeks, maybe a super here and there. I'm trying to get them to eat crickets and dubias but they are stubborn.
Lizardlover
New Member
I too allow my chams to slow down a bit in the winter, my Oustalet went 3 weeks without eating (mind you I offer food every day) Veiled, 1.5 weeks, panther 3-4 days.
DJ Richey Rich
New Member
Wow crazy I was just about to post a thread my veiled is still very active and plump but yesterday he refused food i was getting worried but its all cleared up now
PardalisGirl
Avid Member
Hummm....
That is a tough issue. I would actually start a different thread on this topic. It's not due to seasonal changes. It's also interesting that both chameleons refuse things other than superworms. I would put some specifics (age, how long have you had them, etc.) in the other thread. They really do need to expand their horizons to maintain health. In the new thread tell us if you have tried hornworms or silkworms with them.
That is a tough issue. I would actually start a different thread on this topic. It's not due to seasonal changes. It's also interesting that both chameleons refuse things other than superworms. I would put some specifics (age, how long have you had them, etc.) in the other thread. They really do need to expand their horizons to maintain health. In the new thread tell us if you have tried hornworms or silkworms with them.
PardalisGirl
Avid Member
Individuals vary........
I would not automatically assume it's the seasonal thing. It could be, but it could also be a sign of health issues. Keep an eye on your cham and pay close attention to drinking and the appearance of it's poops. Not all chams go through a seasonal change. Mine, if they slow down, just slow the quantity they eat each day. They still eat something. Other friends have chams that eat every other day. I know someone who has one that eats twice a week in the winter. That cham is a big monster wild caught male and can afford not to eat as much.
It really depends on a number of factors. It's important to rule out other problems through observation. This is one time that regular weighing and recording of weights comes in handy. They should not be losing a lot of weight. The seasonal change causes the metabolism to slow down. They move less and require less calorie intake to maintain their weight. That's why the eating slows down. There should not be a big weight loss or loss of overall appearance.
I would not automatically assume it's the seasonal thing. It could be, but it could also be a sign of health issues. Keep an eye on your cham and pay close attention to drinking and the appearance of it's poops. Not all chams go through a seasonal change. Mine, if they slow down, just slow the quantity they eat each day. They still eat something. Other friends have chams that eat every other day. I know someone who has one that eats twice a week in the winter. That cham is a big monster wild caught male and can afford not to eat as much.
It really depends on a number of factors. It's important to rule out other problems through observation. This is one time that regular weighing and recording of weights comes in handy. They should not be losing a lot of weight. The seasonal change causes the metabolism to slow down. They move less and require less calorie intake to maintain their weight. That's why the eating slows down. There should not be a big weight loss or loss of overall appearance.
thank you! clears it all up, he does eat still but very little, hasnt lost any weight and looks very healthy, and he is in a room that i could see why hes slowing down a tad from the sun setting early and such
EDIT: oh and he is 9 months old, not sure if that makes any difference
EDIT: oh and he is 9 months old, not sure if that makes any difference
