Spiny Leaf Insects

[MsCham]

Was wanting your guys' opinion about one of these for a very rare "treat" for the sake of variation in my ~8mo veiled's diet. Just looks like a cool thing I can put in with him and if he eats it, he eats it, if he doesnt, whatever. Worried if it would be too sharp or too big for him to eat though? Anyone else feed uncommon insects like these to chams?

Kijiji Link

 

[Carlton]

Was wanting your guys' opinion about one of these for a very rare "treat" for the sake of variation in my ~8mo veiled's diet. Just looks like a cool thing I can put in with him and if he eats it, he eats it, if he doesnt, whatever. Worried if it would be too sharp or too big for him to eat though? Anyone else feed uncommon insects like these to chams?

Kijiji Link

Considering the cost ($10 a piece), the potential nicks or cuts from spines, potential that it is too large to swallow easily and gets stuck somewhere in the GI tract, and because there are so many other softer options, I wouldn't. I don't think the "variety" value would be worth it. You might be able to provide the nutritional benefit of the bramble by feeding the plant to your other insects however.

 

[MsCham]

Ehh... good point about it getting stuck *shudders* Thanks!

 

[jajeanpierre]

Was wanting your guys' opinion about one of these for a very rare "treat" for the sake of variation in my ~8mo veiled's diet. Just looks like a cool thing I can put in with him and if he eats it, he eats it, if he doesnt, whatever. Worried if it would be too sharp or too big for him to eat though? Anyone else feed uncommon insects like these to chams?

Kijiji Link

I have some and think even the small ones I bought are too big. I can't bring my self to feed them to my chickens at $8 each. I'll feed nymphs if they lay eggs that hatch.

They really creep me out so I haven't touched them. I don't know how strong their spines are. I wouldn't want my chams to eat the legs.

 

[Dave Bolamperti]

Hey MsCham,
The bug is an Australian Stick bug. When full grown are about 4-5 inches long, they are a soft body insect . Adults may be too large? Nymphs are ant size and up. They shed several times before adulthood . I have raised these, and have feed the nymphs to my Chams . 1 adult will lay 1000+ eggs. I got mine from Nick Barta here on the forum , classifieds chameleon food, he always has them for sale at a much better price. You may have to purchase from your on line source, not sure if you can import bugs cross borders.
P.s my kids loved holding them in front of their friends , added bonus
They just look big and scary. Actually they act similar to preying mantis , looking around ,cool bugs.
Dave

 

[MsCham]

Thanks Dave! I think they are selling the adult ones only, and most people don't ship living things across the borders unfortunately, but its for the best so that they arrive alive... *sigh* its just frustrating because it seems the US has all the cool cham stuff!! Took me forever to just find a supplier that would special order me silkworms - they don't regularly get them. I'll probably hold off on them, but I'll keep an eye out for ads of nymphs!!

 

[jajeanpierre]

Thanks Dave! I think they are selling the adult ones only, and most people don't ship living things across the borders unfortunately, but its for the best so that they arrive alive... *sigh* its just frustrating because it seems the US has all the cool cham stuff!! Took me forever to just find a supplier that would special order me silkworms - they don't regularly get them. I'll probably hold off on them, but I'll keep an eye out for ads of nymphs!!

You might want to see if you can get silkworms eggs shipped. Coastal Silkworms mail out silkworm eggs. They aren't as delicate as hatched worms.