Wild caught insects do or dont???

[Olimpia]

I just skimmed this thread so forgive me if something has already been covered.

Pill bugs should never be fed off when wild caught because they are heavy metal bio-accumulators and can kill your chameleon, secondly, wild caught insects make GREAT staples, and are full of nutrients because they have stuffed their guts with wild food that we can't provide in captivity, as long as you collect from a safe source they are great. I always try to incorporate wild insects into my chameleons' diets as much as possible.

I completely agree. I have a wild area 20 mins away from my house that I'll go to with the dogs to run and catch a few bugs there while I'm at it. I always bring them back grasshoppers and mantis, and they love them. Not only does it spice up their life, but it adds in nutrients that are missing in their normal diet. It gives them a more rounded diet, I think.

Chameleons can get parasites from just normal crickets, so it seems to me like you might as well widen their diet and add some interest to their lives.

 

[sandrachameleon]

does anyone know if wildcaught insects are a do or dont?
are ants, grasshoppers, locus, pillbugs, sowbugs, and earthworms?
also does anyone know if a pygmy cham could eat a full grown sea monkey?
also i wont be getting these bugs from any harmful fields where chemicals have bn sprayed.

There are risks inherent in use of any wild caught feeder, such as parasites. But some are still worth it, IMHO.
no ants. most grasshoppers are fine. Locust fine. Pillbugs and sow bugs are heavy metal bioaccumulators so collect and breed some instead of using wild ones. Chameleons love them and they are high in caclium and gutloadable. Earthworms are high in calcium too but carry bacteria/parasites and generally chameleons dont like them anyhow

more info: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/213-use-wild-caught-insects.html

 

[mikeduner]

Yeah so there are a few bugs around in northern ohio that are slow and incredibly enticing to put in the cage: #1 Daddy long legs- if i went to my backyard ii could get you hundreds of the guys
#2 Mayflies/canadien soldiers- at the right time of the year they cover cars and houses and are also incredibly slow
#3 Earwigs- I hate earwigs so much i just want them all dead
#4 Wolf spiders- Creat funnel shaped webs in the yard and I could have a dozen if i wanted.

 

[chameleongirl2]

oh no.............

wait wait wait wait! so some grasshoppers are poisonous to chams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what type because just yesterday i gathered a whole binch of them out side and i gave one to my cham what shoud i doooooooooooooo

 

[Heimdallr]

wait wait wait wait! so some grasshoppers are poisonous to chams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what type because just yesterday i gathered a whole binch of them out side and i gave one to my cham what shoud i doooooooooooooo

I'm pretty sure the grasshoppers in your area are all safe. Always be sure to identify the insects you feed and learn what they like to eat before feeding them nevertheless.

 

[chamguy]

I'm new to this thread so most of you prolly haven't seen me. I have Chams, beardies, leos, and tortoises. I live in the country on a lake so I have access to alot of food for the critters. The only concern I've heard of before is parasites, but I have never had an issue.

I was just curious why can't I find grasshoppers avalible in the pet trade? To me they are as good as dubias. Maybe cause they are a infestation risk? I catch and breed my own grass hoppers and feild crickets.

Also, if any of you have access to feild crickets I would look into them. They are much hardier than the house cricket and much larger.