When can they start eating worms?

[Endangeredjen]

My chameleons are about 3 mos old. They are Jackson's, they were caught in the wild here in Hawaii. They are currently about 2 1/2 to 2 inches STV. They have been eating crickets so far and doing well, but I know I should be mixing it up. I know flies would be especially good for them, but I don't have the stomach to cultivate them. Can they start eating hornworms perhaps?

 

[DavidBuchan]

Yes, mix it up a bit. Silkworms and Hornworms and Phoenix worms (Calciworms) are all good. You don't need to breed flies to give them a few, but don't feed more than a couple of wild caught things a week. Mealworms will do to mix it a bit, but again, not too many (reasons include too much chitin can cause impaction, they have few vitamins). Locusts are also a good staple, which are easy to gutload too......

 

[ShortStack]

Yes, mix it up a bit. Silkworms and Hornworms and Phoenix worms (Calciworms) are all good. You don't need to breed flies to give them a few, but don't feed more than a couple of wild caught things a week. Mealworms will do to mix it a bit, but again, not too many (reasons include too much chitin can cause impaction, they have few vitamins). Locusts are also a good staple, which are easy to gutload too......

I had someone I know to be very knowledgable tell me that mealies are softer than superworms.

Can someone elaborate ?

 

[DavidBuchan]

I had someone I know to be very knowledgable tell me that mealies are softer than superworms.

Can someone elaborate ?

Well, mealworms are smaller, but superworms have a larger volume.......making less chitin by percentage weight. You should really still feed them only rarely, because crickets are just so much better. I only feed just molted mealworms, as a bit of variety. I got 2 free superworms in a box of locusts once though.......the superworm armour is actually thicker, but the worm is much thicker, so in a way superworms could be said to be 'softer'

 

[AZJ0SH]

Worms should only make up 15-20% of the chameleons diet tops, they're not solid staple feeders.

 

[ShortStack]

Worms should only make up 15-20% of the chameleons diet tops, they're not solid staple feeders.

Im working on that... But honestly, it was the ONLY thing my female would eat after she laid her clutch...

It took her about 6 days to eat anything, so as soon as she ate that we were happy. She does eat crickets and silk/horn worms as well tho, but she LOVES her super worms...

Thanks for the input !