Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi,

i was wondering if phasmids should be used to feed chameleons,
as i can breed them easily...
are they as efficient as crickets ?
if yes, which species can be used safely ? (without any risk of toxicity)

thanks a lot,

François.

Phasmids can be good feeders. The problem is finding sources for them to raise, as they are garden and agricultural pests. Are you in the USA? The only ones we have here are not toxic in themselves, but to be safest you should set up a colony and feed them on Romaine lettuce, rose leaves, edible fruit leaves. Many prefer to eat ivy, and some varieties of ivy are toxic. Some eat oak leaves, but oak is high in tannic acid...not sure if I would use oak exclusively.

Walking sticks are awesome feeders for Chameleons. DO NOT USE IVY OR OAK LEAVES FOR FEEDERS UNLESS YOU WANT TO KILL YOUR CHAMELEONS. Ivy is poisonous and so is Oak leaves - especially oak leaves. It will will cause caolic posioning (sp?) and that can kill even a horse. I recommend using bramble leaves, essentially blackberry thicket leaves and they will grow to epidemic proportions within 4 months. I have successfully kept Walking Sticks for quite a while and they thrive on the stuff.

Good luck,
Matt