Maintaining the well-being of chameleons hinges on several environmental elements such as appropriate temperatures, sufficient lighting (including UVB), adequate hydration, and, crucially, a high-quality diet. This article delves into the specifics of feeding chameleons, with a focus on Jackson's chameleons and veiled chameleons.
Understanding Chameleon Dietary Needs
Chameleons are primarily insectivores, consuming a variety of insects and other invertebrates in the wild. Some species may occasionally eat plant vegetation. Due to the limitations of providing the same variety and quality of food in captivity, owners must compensate with gut-loaded feeders and supplements. Neglecting a balanced and nutritious diet is a major cause of premature death in captive chameleons.
Natural Diet vs. Captivity
In their natural habitats, chameleons consume an incredibly diverse diet, including insects, arthropods, and even small vertebrates like lizards, birds, and mammals. They typically feed on diurnal insects such as grasshoppers, bees, flies, butterflies, and beetles, rather than nocturnal insects like crickets, roaches, and grubs, which are more commonly available in captivity.
The Importance of Variety
Chameleons thrive on varied diets that mimic their natural feeding habits. A varied diet is mentally stimulating and helps ensure balanced nutrition. Offering the same food every day can lead to nutrient deficiencies and boredom, similar to eating grilled chicken and salad for every meal.
Feeding Schedules and Quantities
The amount of food a chameleon needs varies depending on its age and species.
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Jackson's Chameleon Feeding Guide
- Babies (1-3 months): Feed as much as they can eat, twice a day. Some babies have been known to eat as many as 20 pinhead crickets per day.
- Juveniles (3-6 months): 10-12 small crickets per day.
- Subadults (6-12 months): 8-10 medium crickets per day.
- Adults (over 1 year): 6-8 medium or large crickets every other day.
These guidelines are based on averages and should be adjusted based on the chameleon's individual biorhythm and physical condition. Offer more food if the chameleon is losing weight and less if it's gaining too much (adults only).
Veiled Chameleon Feeding Guide
- Juveniles: Feed daily, as much as they will eat.
- Adults: Feed every other day, with 3-5 appropriately sized feeders.
- Gravid Females: Feed daily once they are gravid to support egg development.
Be mindful of caloric intake to avoid overfeeding, especially with veiled chameleons, which are prone to obesity. Overfeeding females can lead to the production of oversized clutches of eggs, which can be life-threatening.
Feeder Insects
A variety of feeder insects should be offered to provide a balanced diet. Some of the best feeders include:
- Flightless fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) for babies
- Black soldier flies and larvae
- Blue bottle flies and larvae
- Crickets
- Hornworms and sphinx moths
- Locusts
- Mantis hatchlings
- Roach nymphs (banana, dubia, discoid, orange-head, red runner)
- Silkworms
- Snails, preferably with shells (captive-bred only)
- Stick insects
Treats like mealworms, superworms, butterworms, and waxworms can be offered no more than once a week. Superworms contain cancer-fighting peptides, making them a beneficial treat. Contrary to myth, superworms will not chew their way through a chameleon's stomach.
Insects to Avoid
- Fireflies
- Wild-caught insects (due to the risk of pesticides and parasites)
- Newborn rodents
- Adult roaches (high uric acid levels may cause gout)
Gutloading and Supplementation
Gutloading
Gutloading involves increasing the nutritional value of feeder insects by feeding them a special diet. The ideal gutloading diet is high in calcium, low in phosphorus, oxalates, and goitrogens. While commercial gutloads are available, they may be insufficient for good nutrition. Creating a homemade gutload can be inexpensive and easy.
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Best Gutloading Ingredients:
These ingredients are high in calcium and low in phosphorus, oxalates, and goitrogens:
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Calcium-fortified squash
Good Gutloading Ingredients:
These ingredients are moderately high in calcium and other vitamins/minerals:
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
Wash all produce thoroughly to remove pesticide residues and peel fruits and vegetables to eliminate waxes and pesticides.
Supplementation
Even with proper gutloading, supplementation with calcium and multivitamins is necessary to compensate for the nutritional deficiencies in captive diets. Inadequate dietary calcium and imbalances of vitamins and minerals can lead to serious illness and death.
Chameleon expert Bill Strand recommends the following supplementation schedule for Jackson's chameleons:
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- Every feeding: Arcadia EarthPro A
- Once per month: Repashy CalciumPlus LoD
Vitamin D3 should be supplemented, but alternate between calcium with D3 and calcium without to avoid accidental overdose.
Vitamin A
Preformed vitamin A (retinol) is essential for optimal chameleon health. While beta carotene is often used as a precursor to vitamin A in supplements, it is uncertain whether chameleons can effectively convert it to vitamin A.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, fatty acids, carbohydrates, natural antioxidants, and antibiotics. It boosts the immune system and acts as a natural multivitamin supplement. Bee pollen can be used to gutload feeders and in dusting.
Dusting
Dust feeders with powdered supplements before offering them to the chameleon. Place a small amount of the desired supplement in a small bag or cup, add the feeder insects, cover, and shake gently until all insects are lightly coated.
Feeding Methods
There are two primary methods for feeding chameleons: cup feeding and free-range feeding.
Cup Feeding
Cup feeding involves placing a container in the chameleon's cage that prevents feeders from escaping while still allowing the chameleon to hunt. This can be as simple as a bowl or a plastic mini tote box with a branch network above it. A Chameleon Feeder Run Cup is a modification of this idea, with a vertical side that encourages feeder insects to climb up, attracting the chameleon's attention.
Free Range Feeding
Free-range feeding involves releasing feeders loose into the chameleon's cage, enriching the chameleon's daily life by encouraging them to hunt as they would in the wild. Controlled release, where feeders are released up the screen side of the cage, is a popular method for stimulating a hunting response.
Other Feeding Methods
- Hand feeding: Offering a special treat by hand can help the chameleon become comfortable with your presence.
- Vertebrate prey: Occasional vertebrate prey, such as lizards, pinkie mice, or small birds, can be offered, especially to larger chameleons. However, this should not be a regular occurrence.
Addressing Feeding Issues
Refusal to Eat
If a chameleon refuses to eat, consider the following:
- Not hungry: Chameleons in captivity may receive more calories than they need.
- Used to crickets: Chameleons may become accustomed to a certain food and resist change.
- Bad experience: The chameleon may have been bitten by a feeder insect.
If a chameleon refuses food, skip a feeding or two until hunger returns. A healthy chameleon can go a week without food.
Plant Consumption
Veiled chameleons may occasionally eat the leaves of plants in their cage, possibly as a source of roughage to aid digestion. While vegetation is not necessary in captivity, ensure that any plants in the enclosure are non-toxic. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a safe plant for veiled chameleons.
General Care Tips
- Maintain appropriate temperatures and humidity levels in the chameleon's enclosure.
- Provide adequate climbing and hiding spaces.
- Use appropriate lighting with a timer.
- Remove uneaten food after 30 minutes to prevent the feeders from losing their nutritional value and potentially spreading pathogens.
- Destroy uneaten feeders, especially those that have come into contact with poop.
Chameleon Biology and Behavior
Chameleons are adapted for life in trees and bushes. Their unique features include:
- Modified toes: Their five toes are grouped to aid in climbing.
- Prehensile tail: Most chameleons have a prehensile tail that can wrap around tree branches.
- Independent eyes: Each eye can rotate and focus independently, providing a 360-degree view.
- Color change: Chameleons change color based on mood, light, temperature, and humidity.
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