Veiled Cham not eating crickets

[JaclynCali]

I have a 6 month old male Veiled and he has suddenly lost all interest in eating crickets. He is still eating his veggies and the few worms I give him daily. He's my first cham so I'm not sure if this normal or not? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[reptilover]

veileds can be pretty picky eaters from time to time. striking on certain foods from time to time. just keep offering them my veiled always comes back to crickets.. and dont spoil him with treats thinking hes starving.. they can go hungry an awful long time!! daaaays! and if you stuff his face with superworms mealies wax worms those are unhealthy alternatives that he will prefer... GOOD LUCK!

 

[JaclynCali]

I know they can be high in fat too so I try to go every other day with the giant worms. Thank you for the advice I'm not as worried now!

 

[HolyToledo]

welcome to the forum! it is the greatest place for all kinds of info. lots of skilled and helpful people too.

your cham can go without food for a week before it becomes any kind of worry unless they aren't eating because of something else going on. and he might be "off" his crix because you dusted them too heavy or he doesn't like the taste of whatever you gutloaded them with. i had a boy that would spit out any bug dusted with vitamins or any gutloaded with kale. and, their eating habits change when they are in the process of shedding and as they mature. or just cuz they're in a mood.

good luck figuring your little buddy out!

 

[JaclynCali]

I thought it might be the calcium or multivitamin so I stopped dusting and my crickets have been on the same cricket diet so I'm not to sure. I've been dusting his kale and he eats it right up. I think you're right about just being in "a mood". Thanks for all the great info! I really appreciate it

 

[arnau666]

hello
well thats how they are....
maybe he doesnt like anymore the taste of them becose of the gutload, maybe he is just bored of them, maybe he just wants worms.
at least thats how mine thinks and does.
You can try to introduce new type of feeders - roach for ex, etc - maybe this will make him eat other feeders and eventualy after a period when you will reintroduce crickets he will get back to them .
good luck

 

[JaclynCali]

I forgot to add that he's been a lot more active lately and seems to be all over his cage. Like I mentioned before, he's my first Cham so I'm not sure if that's normal..

 

[melly]

hello,
Try giving your chamelon locust. my 5 month old veiled cham wont eat crickets at all but love locusts.

 

[JaclynCali]

good idea! i'll look into getting some for him. thanks

 

[pssh]

Just in case, are you positive he is a male? (The roaming and reduced food intake just makes me think if a gravid female about to lay eggs. Although, males may also begin to roam and reduce food intake/become picky as he reaches maturity. I just want to make sure there is no possibility that there was a gender mix up.) If you are sure he is a he, then he's probably on a strike. What kind if worms are you feeding? If he will only eat worms high in fat, you need to get him to start eating healthier foods by not feeding them and only offering better foods like crickets, hornworms, silkworms, roaches, etc.

Also, you will not be able to buy live locusts in the US. They are illegal to sell, but you can go and catch some safe wild ones.

 

[JaclynCali]

He's definitely a boy... I'm feeding him giant mealworms but only every other day and 2 at a time. I think the gut load I'm feeding the crickets is not agreeing with him. I'm trying a new one today. Hopefully this works

 

[Rango183]

do you free range feed ? or do you have a feeder cup

 

[JaclynCali]

I free range feed but usually after I drop around 6-7 in and they all flock to his basking area and he's able to pick them off there. He's sitting under his basking light now watching the crickets who are right next to him.

 

[Chamguy89]

i think your cham wants meal worms he should stop being piiky.lol wrms r like a snake to him