Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a panther chameleon, but he is very small, about the size of my pinkie. He lives in a 38 gallon reptarium. I put a bowl at the bottom for his food, but he never goes down to the bottom, he usually just sits in his Ficus tree. I was thinking about putting a bowl in his tree, but it has to be tall enough where the crickets can't get out, but then it would be too hard for him to get out. If I let them go free, I'm afraid they'll hide since he has a lot of plants and I don't think they'll go in his ficus tree. I've put him down in his bowl, but he just wants to climb back up. I put him in a little kritter keeper and tried to feed him there, but he just wanted to get out. Please help, and sorry if it is too long. BTW, the breeder said he liked grated carrots so I out some in there, does anyone know if they like other veggies? And could they eat really small mealworms instead of crickets..I dont think so..can they?
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~Julie~

I also have my 3 baby Veiled chams in a 38 gallon reptarium. There is plenty of vines and hiding places, but i let the crickets roam free and they never fail to miss a single cricket. I feed them all about 2 dozen to split a day,sometimes more or less,and they eat like nuts. They are about 3 months old, and are getting ready to move into theyre next enclosure(2 more sized to move up to). Just try it that way and see how he does,no harm. And the crickets will climb the ficus tree,if not theyre climb the walls of the reptarium, which my chameleons love because the crickets come up to meet them instead of them having to go look for the crickets. just try it out and see how it goes,how long has it been since hes eaten?anything at all in your care?

I got him almost two days ago. He's been drinking, but I think he's just pretty stressed. I've heard though that the crickets will chew on the baby at night...is that true? Cause that's been the main reason why I dont want them to be free. Thanks
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~Julie~

try this. let a few crickets go in there. put a little food for them on the bottom, that way they won't bother your cham. don't put him into a kritter keeper or anything like that, you will just make it worse for him. you need to give him some time and let him get used to his surroundings before you even pick him up again. you may also want to try covering up a couple of sides of his cage, so that he doesn't see anything out there, this will lessen the stress that is on him. put him into the most private spot in your house, and leave him there, don't bother him, except to mist or feed him. give him a couple of weeks like that, and he will be eating like a champ! (it's worked for me 4 times!)

Thanks, I'll try that. Yeah, I have two sides covered so he can't see my beardie. And he's been calming down and he's been eyeing his carrots, so we'll see.
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~Julie~