Wild Insects

coldbloodedAL

coldbloodedAL

Avid Member
Does anyone have a list of wild insects safe for chams? I understand there are risks such as pesticides, but just wondering so i can throw in a variety of feeders.
 
try not to feed wild insects as they can carry germs and give your cham parasites and thats a huge pet bill from the vet my friend
 
You can get wild insects and breed 3 for 3 generations and then feed them off to be fine. As for pesticides, doesnt in make sense that if the insect has been in contact with a pesticide, it would die?

You can get some cicadas, green grasshoppers, and mantids and feed them off right from your garden.
 
VeiledChams said:
You can get wild insects and breed 3 for 3 generations and then feed them off to be fine. As for pesticides, doesnt in make sense that if the insect has been in contact with a pesticide, it would die?

You can get some cicadas, green grasshoppers, and mantids and feed them off right from your garden.
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For the most part yes, but some do not kill on contact. Some affect reproductive organs, or stop them from molting(I work for a pest control company).
 
Well, then you find some in places where you are sure no pesticides have gotten to. An open grass field is a good place. Here in florida, there are many grasslands to get hold of wild insects. I learned at the Daytona show that even some insects that are bad for chams (some grasshoppers for example) can be bred at least 3 times (3 generations) using a nice gutload chameleon safe and then they will be able to be used as feeder insects.
 
So the occasional house fly that wanders in would be okay then? I almost gave my cham one today but wasnt sure if it would be safe.
 
People overreact to feeding wild insects. For the most part, wild insects can be safe for your cham to eat if you make sure to catch them from a place safe of pesticides. I've fed wild bugs to my chameleons for a very long time and they have never gotten sick from eating them. It adds a variety of nutrients to their diet as well.
 
coldbloodedal, on these "delayed reaction" type pesticides, how long are we talking to take effect? I usually wait at least 3 days to feed anything wc.

My jackson loves house flies, its wicked cool watching her pick them out of the air with perfect precision! :cool:
 
JackP308 said:
Why would you do that?

Is there any specific reason why you picked 3 for 3 ?
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While at the Daytona show, I was lurking around with Laurie and she was speaking to steve about that because steve had some grasshoppers that are normally bad to feed off. She said 3 generations.
 
VeiledChams said:
While at the Daytona show, I was lurking around with Laurie and she was speaking to steve about that because steve had some grasshoppers that are normally bad to feed off. She said 3 generations.
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I feed off wild caught grasshoppers (caught in a park like field area, not urban) often after only 24hrs from capture. Have done this every summer for over a decade with multiple chameleons. no issues have resulted except once a pinworm issue (easily treated parasite) that may be resulted from this practise
 
sandrachameleon said:
I feed off wild caught grasshoppers (caught in a park like field area, not urban) often after only 24hrs from capture. Have done this every summer for over a decade with multiple chameleons. no issues have resulted except once a pinworm issue (easily treated parasite) that may be resulted from this practise
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Idk what they are called. you probably remember the thread Jann posted about some big red/yellow grasshoppers. those are the ones I am talking about.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rAcmGeuWcRw/TEkH7LrKj1I/AAAAAAAAAK4/yXr2X1D85Sc/s320/011.JPG
 
Lubber grasshoppers are poisonous. Captive breeding over several generations can sometimes eliminate the problem because often the poisonous condition is a result of something in the insects diet. Same thing with Poison-Arrow frogs. Wild ones are deadly to the touch, but captive bred are harmless.
 
sandrachameleon said:
I'd be interseted in reading the thread - can you link me to it?
Im relatively sure I've fed off those same grshprs without issue or prolonged wait
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I don't know right off the top of my head if Lubbers are found as far North as Canada. They are very large and are adorned with bright colors. There is also a solid black morph with bright red highlights.
 
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