This little piggy won't STOP!!!

[GarynTampa]

As you know, I'm a fairly new Cham owner for only ~ 2 weeks.

I've been away for a couple of days and started hand feeding RANGO again this morning. My wife was feeding him while I was gone and he ate regularly.

He has always seemed a good "feeder", but today, over a 4 hour period, I hand-fed him 16 adult crickets. He has this "thing" where he sits on his favorite vine and just looks out into the living room (that's when I know he's ready to eat).

In the past, I have only fed him ~ 7 crickets and a couple super worms MAX in 1 day.

He also drinks almost everytime I mist the cage (or hand mist). Matter of fact, he now recognizes the little blue cap on the mist bottle and is close to drinking from the spray stream!

He poops regularly with good color, shape and size.

Is todays zealous appetite normal? Can you overfeed OR just let him eat until he stops on his own when he fills up? Heck...he likely would have eaten more!!!!!

What is the most any of you have fed your Cham in a day?

He's an 8 month old Ambanja Male, in really great shape.

Gary
Tampa, FL

 

[ISA my Veiled]

So he took all the 16 crickets from your hand? Did he just shed or? I would imagine if he did happen to just shed after all the work of getting it off he may just have needed the energy and ate a ton. My 3-4 month old Veiled today after she just got done shedding last night this morning and today has ate almost 10 medium sized crickets today. Normally only eats around 4-5 so that may be it. On the other hand that is my guess so let the more experienced people on here try to help you also.

 

[GarynTampa]

Not sure when he shed last, other than a partial shed the week I picked him up from the pet dealer. Again, I have only had him for ~ 2 weeks.

Maybe this is a pre-shed buffet.

As long as this is "healthy", I'll continue to offer him all he can eat, but I will wait to hear back from some of the "experts" here.

I just don't want to over-do it and end up with any problems!!

Gary
Tampa, FL

 

[froggielog]

I'd say if he eats that much in a short period of time, either don't feed him for another day or two. Or just let him eat and watch his weight.

Has he been tested for parasites?

 

[dunks98]

Question is.. how old is he?

They have massive appetites when younger but that is dependant on last shed, food type, temp, time of day and so on...

Pretty sure he will eat as much as he wants, simply a case of offering enough to ensure he can do that.

Which sounds like you are!

Will probably reduce appetite over the next few days as he welcomes back his standard provider ;-)

 

[ISA my Veiled]

Yeah like dunks said it also depends on the age, I know that some babies will eat up to 20 food items a day (appropriately sized of course). I mean the only negative affect of over feeding is if he isn't active, which like people will make him fat lol i would cut him off at like 8-10 and offer him greens. But i Say that knowing what i know about veiled chameleons. IDK if Panthers eat as much vegetation.

 

[GarynTampa]

Well...based on these comments, I suppose I could cut him back to no more than 8-10 crickets daily. I usually feed him after he basks for an hour or so in the morning, and not before his first morning misting. I offer him a few more during the day as I did today on 3 ocasions. If anyone wonders...he DID NOT eat all 16 crickets at one time. 5, then 4, then 3, then 4...all over a 5 hour period. I don't feed him after 4:00 PM since he's already curled up and sleeping by 5:30-5:45 PM daily.

He's ~ 8 months old and does appear very healthy, curious, and active.

I guess I should take him in for a Vet to look for parasites, as I really want to keep him healthy.

Fecal looks as everyone says it should...nothing unusual there, but tomorrow the cage floor may have a pile...lol.

I'd like to hear from a few more of the experts before I do anything drastic, but I'd rather have him healthy that FAT!

THANKS for the comments!

Gary
Tampa,FL