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Diet and photoperiod questions

captotterboy Mar 26, 2006 06:12 PM

Hey all,
I have a question about diet. I am feeding charlie a variety of diets on different days and i wanted to know if its healthy. Typically i put 6 small mealoworms in his bowell just for a snack (usually 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon). Than i alternate days. On one day i will feed him two superworms in the morning and one in the evening. the next i will give him five crickets (gut loaded with the flukers orange slice, the flukers calcium fortified gelatin, and lightly sprinkles with Herpcare cricket dust) dusted with Herpcare cricket dust. than the next i will give him just 4 mealworms (2 twice a day) with 2 superworms in the morning and 4 undusted (but still gut loaded) crickets in the afternoon. I figure this will give him a nice variety, but keeps a good feeding regiment with the nutrients he needs. Also, the plants in his cage are pothos, spider, and umbrella plant so he can munch on them if he wants. This good?

The next question i have is about photoperiod. I usually (for my other herp enclosure and my carniverous plant tank) keep the photoperiod conistant with the outside photoperiod (with a minimum of 12 hours daylight) Should i gradually increase the photoperiod (by which i mean the ammount of time the lights are on) with the sun, or should i just continue the 12 hours of lights on/off? His enclosure is sitting in a place where it recieves no direct sunlite, but would get bright shade.

Thanks alot,
Jeff

ps. i was doing a poop clean today and charlie decided to grab my hand. before i could stop him he had climbed up my arm, up my ear, and happily sat on my head until such time as i could remove him.

Replies (3)

dianedfisher Mar 26, 2006 06:49 PM

Jeff, you have one VERY FRIENDLY cham. I reiterate: You are one lucky duck! LOL If you only have the chameleon, I think the 12 hour photoperiod is recommended. I personally use 14 hrs. because it suits my schedule better and gives me some time in the evenings for care, feeding and interaction amog the small menagerie I house. You are very meticulous with your feeding schedule. That should make it much easier for you to notice if something is amiss and get it taken care of immediately. You've done a great job so far! Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon

captotterboy Mar 26, 2006 07:21 PM

Hey,
I think a 14 hour would make my life easier as well, as i often have to leave early in the morning and come back late in the afternoon, which somedays limits my time to take care of him. Ill step it up to that gradually though with the changing season.

Thank you, i appreciate it.
Jeff

lele Mar 27, 2006 06:16 PM

Hey Jeff,

you and Charlie seem to be really enjoying each other!

Sounds good, but in time it may be difficult to stick to it, but so long as it is varied. Just don’t be surprised if someday he refuses to take something and swear off them off awhile! You can also add the occasional waxworm as a treat and then there are the silkies...

My one suggestion is to either buy or make quality dry gutload and feed them fresh fruit and veggies. It may be handy to have things in jars and boxes, but besides it being expensive over time I see it as analogous to people eating a lot of processed (pre-packaged) meals rather than whole foods. It is how I feed myself and tend to do the same for my critters.

Other than that all sounds well

Here are some great recipes and guidelines for gutloading.

http://www.adcham.com/html/husbandry/gutload.html
http://www.chameleonnews.com/gutload.html
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

(sorry, being lazy. You'll have to copy and paste

lele
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