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Hi folks: I think my 8 month old male Panther has just passed out in a bowl movement an undigested Superworm! He had other fecal matter in the cage today that looked normal but there was one worm that looked whole and dangling in the branches like he pooped it there. The worm would not be there like that otherwise. Other observations: He is not jumping to take his food. He IS eating, but not right away like usual. I will see the food dissappear over the day and the next(so he's maybe not eating as much either). I increased hydration. I sprayed him 6-7 times today as well as his normal drip and humidifyer. At times his eyes sockets DO look a little bit sunken!! What do I do? Thanks-Maggie

PS. Not sure what other info you might need. Let me know what else you need to know.

What is the next meal to provide him? Something softer? Silkie? I don't have any right now, whats the next best?

Thanks-Maggie

Are you sure that he didn't regurgitate (sp) it? My Helmeted Iguana eats superworms on a regular basis and if she eats too many or eats them to fast she will throw them up. Just a suggestion.

>>What is the next meal to provide him? Something softer? Silkie? I don't have any right now, whats the next best?
>>
>>Thanks-Maggie
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Thanks Dawn
1.1 Veiled (Kermit and Moe)
0.1 Helmeted Iguana (Louie)
0.1 Leopard Gecko (Velvet)
0.0.2 Toads

One possibility...if the cham ate that particular superworm late in the day and then cooled off for the night it may not have gotten digested as thoroughly as food eaten earlier in the day. Unless all its food is not being digested I don't think there is a worry. Superworms are lower in chitin than mealworms and most chams digest them just fine. At 8 months the cham's growth rate is slowing down. Cut back on the food maybe switching to every other day...a small snack on the non feeding day maybe.

Good suggestions. He went after food more normally(vigorously today). No other insect parts around the cage today, only regular stools. But, I think I'll take him in for a fecal anyways. He hasn't had one since he's been with me from 6 months of age. Review with me again, if you will...what percent humidity should I be at for a panther? How many Supers, crickets would he likely eat(a range would be fine) at this age? Thank you SOOOOOO much! Maggie

Well Maggie, I am a little late here...but just another thought. Do you leave them in the cage free roaming? I wouldn't, only because they can be "vicious" (well, you know that I mean )

If you do, it may just have wandered and ended up hanging from this branch. They are a bit "weird" in the world of beetle larva b/c their body is so long, but they have extremely strong prolegs. If I let mine wander it is on the screen and if Luna doesn't eat it it's out of the cage 'til later.

Btw, did you name your guy? I don't recall seeing a post about it.

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Thanks Lele-yeah, I try not to let them wander. I read your thread on the viscious mouth parts-yiaks! I'm squirmish enough without having known that! Although, sometimes I run out of time and I leave in a hurry and do a quick once over to see if all have been eaten. Sometimes they get down at the bottom of the cage and hide in the corner between the floor and the side and the Cham would be unable to get them until I get back and chopstick them up onto the screen again. It did not wander to that branch I'm sure, because they never can hang onto the branches well enough. What d'you think happened?

Thanks-Maggie

One other thing: you said that you misted him 6 or 7 times/day. The frequency of misting is less importasnt that the duration of misting. See the hydration article in the husbandry section of www.chameleonjournals.com
Ed