Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read that as juvies to feed the cham as much as they want. Well roughly about just how much is that? As in cricket wise anyway? 3, 5, 10? Seems this guy will eat however many you give him and I just don't know about what we're shooting for here. Whats a normal range? He doesn't really seem to be too interested in any vegies just yet, maybe he'll take a liking to the greens eventually. I think he did chomp on my spider plant though while he was out climbing around my houseplants.
Also, I need to make a cricket run tomorrow, starting to run low. Was thinking I would go ahead and get some meal worms as well. This being my first week as a cham parent I can use all the advice available. Are the mealworms just fed the way they are? Cold? room temp? do I need to "gut load" them as well? If so, with the same types food and dusting as the crickets? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Michele

many to feed, but also, someone said NOT to use meal worms. I think I am getting more confused the more I learn. Also, I noticed that in websurfing other peoples pics of set ups, it appears the uvb tubes are over the mesh cages. From iguana experience I know that the mesh will filter out much of the uvb defeating the purpose. Because I haven't figured out how to put it IN the cage at this time, mine is above the mesh as well. Any input on how, or if, others put the tube in the mesh cage I would like to hear different ideas. I am assuming the chams need just as much uvb as the igs do, am I correct in that assumption? If I am, it definately needs togo inside, at least in mine the mesh is so tight knit. One last question (at least for now)(smile)-does anyone have a picture of the spur on the males foot? I just really cant tell if I got a male or female here and would like to know if I am going to need a nesting box at some time. Thanks for any help.

You said..."have read that as juvies to feed the cham as much as they want"...what I do is let them eat as many as they can in a minute or so...and then leave a couple of extras for them to eat later.

Concerning mealworms, I never use them so I can't give you advice on them.

You said..."I think I am getting more confused the more I learn"...there is so much information based on individual's experience that its hard to sort through and figure it out....and it doesn't really get easier!

You said..."it appears the uvb tubes are over the mesh cages"...my cages have screen lids that I think let more light through than the mesh cages do. I don't put any fixtures inside because I worry about bulbs exploding or the chameleons getting burned. My chameleons seem to live long lives for the most part. I do supplement twice a month lightly with a D3/calcium powder in addition to the other dusting I do and gutloading.

You asked..."does anyone have a picture of the spur on the males foot?"...go to this site...
http://adcham.com/html/husbandry/glossary/tarsalspur.html

Here are some sites you might like to read...
http://adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/skintests.htm

I finally got my password reset so I could get back on! I do seem to think he is a he. And I'll tell you this, I know I'm kindof just learning as I go, but this guy is a pig! He eats like crazy, he has molted once, and is probably 50% bigger than just 3 weeks ago! And now, he's MEAN! He hisses and lunges at me! He was so sweet and so small just a couple of weeks ago. I do know that iguana's sometimes seem docile at first till they aclimate to their new surroundings, so maybe thats true of chameleons too? But with iguanas, you just handle them often, offer them food, treats, etc, so they associate you with good things. My understanding was that chams really don't want to be handled much, or that it wasnt good for them. But I have to take him out to clean his cage and such. And I gotta tell you, he's kindof scary! Are chams just mean in general, or is he somewhat tameable? I'm not trying to get him to come when I whistle or anything, I just want to be able to handle him when necessary without getting bit. I mean, how will the vet handle that? We dont have the greatest herp vets around here to begin with, and I'm not sure they can handle something trying to bite them. They act scared to death of my iguana and she really is a sweetheart. I don't know how I'll deal with basic care issues if he's gonna try to bite anytime he must be handled. Like I said, the more I learn, the more I need to learn.