Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1st---I looked at some superworms at the pet store the other day. They reminded me of mealworms (yuk). Are the supers ok to feed? I thought that hard bodies were not always the best???

2nd---finally got my replacement bulb from zoo-med. I went with a 5.0 since it was "in the cage" now. Had it on for a few hours and thought it was way too bright. I managed to make a "net" around it out of black screen (from the reptarium), hoping to "tame" it down.

I am a little worried that Squig may have been "over-exposed". I know that thing hurt my eyes. Anyone ever seen or heard of this?

He is keeping eyes shut mostly (just noticed this AM) but will open them up when stimulated.

Let me know

Kris
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2.1 Black Labs Tucker, Raider and Lacey
1.0 Lepoard Gecko Kumar (Another lost pet RIP and party on with Harold!)
3.0 Horses Smoothie, Rocky and Bogey
1.0 Husbands (he puts up with me)
1.2 Kids-Trevor, Logan and Rylie
1.1 Ferrets Tank and Ellie (The fun fuzzies)
1.1 Veiled Chams Squiggy and Pudge (may she RIP)
0.1 Snowflake Cornsnake Lucky

Remove the mesh you have over the 5.0 - they output such a small amount of UVb, such a short distance (12" that any blockage will reduce them to the point of uselessness. It's UV light, so it's not going to be easy on the eyes - it's not supposed to be.

Superworms are great feeders, but a little high in fat. Better than regular mealworms, but not better than crickets, let alone roaches.

I always feed a mix of crunchy and soft insects. In fact, lately, I've been feeding mostly harder shelled insects - adult mealworms and superworms, as well as roaches. They're lower in fat than the soft larvae.

In the long term, low fat, high chitin insects are probably better for them than the soft and fatty feeders they often get.

We see these crunchy, hard to chew insects, and assume that the softer, meatier insects are "better".
They are more nutritous, and easier to digest - Just like a double bacon cheddar whopper is more nutritous than a salad with a few strips of grilled chicken. The meat and fat in the hamburger is far more easily broken down than vegetables in the salad, yeilding more energy.

So, if you want to get more bulk onto a chameleon, feed it more silkworms and superworms. IF you want to maintain a healthy chameleon, feed it food that will require more "work" to digest - crunchy insects, with a higher protein:fat ratio, like roaches or beetles. Plus, they digest the chitin, so it's not a worry, unless you feed "unnaturally" hard insects, like big hissing roaches, or things they'd never eat in the wild.

I buy superworms only 2-3 times a year, and 1000 will last me months and months - they are great for a backup feeder, if you buy them in bulk. They live a long time, and the beetles, once their chemical defense is washed off, make good feeders.

I have no idea how that got in there...

I get what you are saying on the UVB and it's strength. I am just concerned...I feel as if I have blinded Squig. He still has his eyes closed! Is it possible that this light, full strength (with out having to shine through the screen) could have done that? I have already started terramycin treatment. His casque looks a little like it is starting to shed. Could it be possible that he was burned?

He still looks quite healthy...am watching for signs of dehydration. Tonight when I put the ointment on, he did open his eyes a bit. It just reminds me of my husband when he got his eyes burned while welding! OUCH!

Anyway...not trying to micro-managed...but concerned.

Kris
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2.1 Black Labs Tucker, Raider and Lacey
1.0 Lepoard Gecko Kumar (Another lost pet RIP and party on with Harold!)
3.0 Horses Smoothie, Rocky and Bogey
1.0 Husbands (he puts up with me)
1.2 Kids-Trevor, Logan and Rylie
1.1 Ferrets Tank and Ellie (The fun fuzzies)
1.1 Veiled Chams Squiggy and Pudge (may she RIP)
0.1 Snowflake Cornsnake Lucky

Kris-another thing to keep in mind with the UVB bulbs, is that they go through a period of burn-in within the first few days and then the output of the bulb greatly diminishes. that may be why you thought it appeared abnormally bright.
Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

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

One more thing.

Alot of times, dispite what you might want to feed a chameleon, they may be picky about what they eat and you have to find the right balance of happy (waxworms) with healthy (crickets)

As for superworms, i try not to use them for my primary food source , but Charlie LOVES them. I can tell that they are by far his favorite. He eats just about anything i put in the cage, but when he sees me grab the superworm countainer he comes running over to his feeding spot.

I guess my point is some chameleons may not like them, some may love them, but try not to use them as a primary food source.

Jeff

If you keep your chameleon well-fed - but NOT overfed, they will almost NEVER go on a hunger strike, or become picky. A healthy chameleon will always appear to be "starving", and will almost never refuse food, no matter what it is.

cool, i didnt know that.

thanks,
jeff