Please help with baby Panther chameleon

[Shanerisley]

Hi I just bought a baby Panther chameleon about 2 weeks ago he was only a couple days old. I have seen him eat about 4 crickets since I've had him and I offer him lots of crickets daily I'm just not sure if he's eating. He is a really tiny little guy so I was offering him pinhead crickets but I went to a local reptile store of which the owner is a good friend and has been breeding chameleons for many years and he informed me I can offer him size small crickets instead of pinheads. This is not my first chameleon I have had many veileds but this is my first Panther. I can assure you that he has perfect husbandry his eyes are not sunken and he is active and holds great color but I have never had a chameleon not eat right away when offered food I'm worried about him so I started force feeding him about 6 crickets a day. What does anybody with experience think? Would he be dead already if he wasn't eating? Should I switch foods? Is there any tricks I don't know about? Any help is greatly appreciated and I will answer any further questions you might have thank you

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. For a panther baby that age I recommend fruit flies and pinheads. Babies love fruit flies. Food that is to larger he will not be able to eat. Any pictures of him?

 

[Wowbango]

Second what Jann Said, Fruit flies are a must for babies that old. Small Crickets would be too big and he's likely ignoring them for that reason.

 

[Shanerisley]

Ok thank you I'll go pick up some fruit flies that was going to be my next step anyways

 

[Craigwyatt]

Def fruit flys are a must. I also offer 1/8 size crickets at that age. I'm extrelely surprised to hear a fellow chameleon breeder would recommend you feed pet shop size small crickets. Those are WAY to big. It usually takes them to get 3/4 months before they can eat smalls.
If he's giving advise like that I doubt he's really a breeder. Cause that's some bad advise. Actually that's the kinda advise you can expect from most pet shops.
Get you a couple fruit fly cultures and maintain them well. They can last more than a month. Good luck