They Didn't Like Silks

[PrettyInInk87]

As the title states Hugh and Darla did not like the Silkworms. They both ate them a few times when I first got the Silks but ever since then, they are VERY hesitant to take more than one. I don't think they liked the worms very much. However, if I give them Dubia roches, Lobster roaches, Superworms, Waxworms, and/or crickets, they gobble them right up. Darla even CHASED down a few Lobster roaches this morning (literally). I guess silks are out for now... I know Hugh loved Horns when I tried those a few months ago so might go that route.

 

[DeviousMike]

My guy looked like he was goin to hump the silks before he actually tried eat them. I say leave them in there for a while.

 

[carol5208]

Let them cocoon into the moths. My chameleon LOVES the moths!!!! They have to get decently big before they start cocooning though.

 

[PrettyInInk87]

My guy looked like he was goin to hump the silks before he actually tried eat them. I say leave them in there for a while.

Hahahah! Was that you who posted a video of their Cham nodding at a silk? Lol!

Well, I actually leave the Silks on a vine in their cage for most of the day (3pm) and they don't touch the worms. The Silks happily move about and do their little lifting their head up and no reaction from either of my Chams. Darla took one this morning but after that, she didn't take anymore. Hugh hasn't taken any for a few days. I guess I can just toss the Silks to my Tokay Geckos, they are little piggies and will eat anything that moves. Oh and Hugh gets REALLY excited when I give him Supers, he'll actually move toward me and lighten up. Lol! *sigh* Oh well.

 

[PrettyInInk87]

Let them cocoon into the moths. My chameleon LOVES the moths!!!! They have to get decently big before they start cocooning though.

I thought about that too... Hm. I have a few that are reaching the 2 inch mark, how long does it usually take for them to cocoon and what should I do to make sure they do? I have only had a few really small ones die off but the larger ones are growing and eating away.

 

[DeviousMike]

That wasn't my vid. Mine was actually mounting the silks, or that's what it looked like. I should have caught it on video but I'm not sure it would have been suitable for young viewers!

 

[PrettyInInk87]

That wasn't my vid. Mine was actually mounting the silks, or that's what it looked like. I should have caught it on video but I'm not sure it would have been suitable for young viewers!

Oh my! I would have LOVED to see that, hahahah! I say you keep the video camera on hand next time you feed him Silks. For the time being, I'll see if I can get some to turn into moths and then maybe they'll show interest. Hm, I feel like trying BB Flies. That is next on the feeder list.

 

[carol5208]

I thought about that too... Hm. I have a few that are reaching the 2 inch mark, how long does it usually take for them to cocoon and what should I do to make sure they do? I have only had a few really small ones die off but the larger ones are growing and eating away.

there is really nothing to do. They just start cocooning on their own when they are ready. I keep mine in tupper ware containers and they just started cocooning all over the place! Some even climbed out and cocooned on the wall, which they have never done before. I don't use lids on my containers as it makes too much moisture and this way they seem to thrive for me with little or no die off. The cocoons take about two weeks or so to hatch and then the moths start mating away. I do not want to really get into that so I just feed the moths when they are linked together(having sex lol) poor little suckers I feed them off while they are doing the deed!! So my chams gets two moths at once!!!

 

[PrettyInInk87]

there is really nothing to do. They just start cocooning on their own when they are ready. I keep mine in tupper ware containers and they just started cocooning all over the place! Some even climbed out and cocooned on the wall, which they have never done before. I don't use lids on my containers as it makes too much moisture and this way they seem to thrive for me with little or no die off. The cocoons take about two weeks or so to hatch and then the moths start mating away. I do not want to really get into that so I just feed the moths when they are linked together(having sex lol) poor little suckers I feed them off while they are doing the deed!! So my chams gets two moths at once!!!

Oh my god that put a smile on my face. That is too funny... Poor little moths. All that is going through my head are tiny humans being fed off to a Cham while "doing it", hahahahah! Well, I guess I can just leave them alone and hope they don't run out of chow. It does seem to mold very easily and I have removed quite a bit of it. I might have to go mulberry tree hunting and do that instead.

 

[ataraxia]

thats amazing! every single one of my chameleons will literally hound me when they see them. my panther will literally come out of the cage, climb on my hand to the deli cup they are in. he normally hates me!! my jacksons will do the same but he does this anytime he sees food anyways. as carol said leave them to turn into moths. mine love them 2!

 

[carol5208]

haha! Glad it gave you the smile for the day! When they start mating they are "hooked" together like two dogs! OMG! I cannot pry them apart!!! lol!!!

 

[ChameleonRave]

You can just send them to me Gabby

 

[nacho]

Wish I had that problem, ours seem to eat everything we put in the cage. We buy crickets 1000 at a time, still have supper worms from the Pasadena Show, Silks and horned worms for all my friends.. Dubias the only take sparingly though.

cheers,

 

[PrettyInInk87]

thats amazing! every single one of my chameleons will literally hound me when they see them. my panther will literally come out of the cage, climb on my hand to the deli cup they are in. he normally hates me!! my jacksons will do the same but he does this anytime he sees food anyways. as carol said leave them to turn into moths. mine love them 2!

Wow, lol! I wish my Chams did that. Well he gets really excited if he knows he's getting Supers so I don't know.

haha! Glad it gave you the smile for the day! When they start mating they are "hooked" together like two dogs! OMG! I cannot pry them apart!!! lol!!!

Oh gosh, lol! Poor things just splash water on them.

You can just send them to me Gabby

Lol! If only I could...

Wish I had that problem, ours seem to eat everything we put in the cage. We buy crickets 1000 at a time, still have supper worms from the Pasadena Show, Silks and horned worms for all my friends.. Dubias the only take sparingly though.

cheers,

Wow, your little guys are lucky to have lots of treats, lol! I give my guys a wide variety of feeders but not all at once. I rotate and try a couple at a time along with their staples. I'm still getting my Dubia colony established... My Chams LOVE them, weirdos...

 

[jandie]

a couple of ours, even though they were raised on silks, didn't seem interested when i tried them after we got them...i think sometimes it's just what they're in the mood for, kinda like us....

some days, i can use silks and they eat them readily....sometimes most of mine completely avoid supers...and especially if there is a variety in the cups, they'll sometimes pick out certain worms and leave others...lol....kinda funny actually...and i never know...

so unless they just don't eat for a couple days and then take whatever they can get....it's a guessing game here. lol

 

[melric]

All my chams eat them. They will usually start cocooning at 21 days old. They will look a little orange before they're about to cocoon and that's when you can separate them into wherever you want them to cocoon. I use toilet paper roll centers for that. My last batch of silkworms cocooned and all I got were males. They loved the moths though. Mmmm. lol. It took 17 days for them to leave their cocoon.

 

[PrettyInInk87]

a couple of ours, even though they were raised on silks, didn't seem interested when i tried them after we got them...i think sometimes it's just what they're in the mood for, kinda like us....

some days, i can use silks and they eat them readily....sometimes most of mine completely avoid supers...and especially if there is a variety in the cups, they'll sometimes pick out certain worms and leave others...lol....kinda funny actually...and i never know...

so unless they just don't eat for a couple days and then take whatever they can get....it's a guessing game here. lol

That is what I thought also just like the method of eating Hugh likes. Sometimes he will take food from my hand, other times he'll cup feed, and other times he'd rather me leave them loose. I try every method until he starts eating. Hm, as long as he's eating I guess I shouldn't be concerned but I have read LOTS of people chams LOVE silks and it was just odd to me that both of mine didn't.

All my chams eat them. They will usually start cocooning at 21 days old. They will look a little orange before they're about to cocoon and that's when you can separate them into wherever you want them to cocoon. I use toilet paper roll centers for that. My last batch of silkworms cocooned and all I got were males. They loved the moths though. Mmmm. lol. It took 17 days for them to leave their cocoon.

For the ones that are too big to feed off to Hugh I'm going to let them cocoon he LOVES lots of movement and think that that might be the reason he doesn't seem too fond of the Silks. He loves adult Lobster roaches because I grab them by the wings and they flutter a lot.

 

[ChameleonRave]

DO IT lol

 

[PrettyInInk87]

DO IT lol

Heheheh, So any news on your Cham?

 

[lou e]

thats funny you call yours Hugh. I call mine Hue - get it? Hue, like colors...?
actualy hue-e lou-e. haha