Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a female Chuck at a local pet store 2 weeks ago. She's about 6 inches long and needs to gain some weight, her tail is a bit thin. She eats real well, I feed her mixed dark greens, flowers from the garden, strawberries, raspberries etc. She loves wax worms.

Any suggestions on the type of food that can bulk her up a bit?

Also if anyone knows how they drink water it would be much appriciated.

I'll post a pic of her ASAP.

Thanks

Never ever, ever in all the years that I've had them. They are great at extracting water from the foods that they eat. I don't even offer water to mine any more.

Some foods to try with your chuck: fresh green peas, fresh green beans, shredded sweet potato, and shredded carrot.

I try and offer about 4 things at a time when I feed them. They seem to feed heavily on certain foods for a while and then ignore something that they couldn't get enough of before. go figure. I always include some type of lettuce along with the buffet.

When I got Rigel he was thin too. Once I realized he liked insects I gave him all the wax worms and meal worms he could eat, in addition to his veggies. It took him around 3 weeks to get back to 100% (his weight almost doubled). At this point, I cut way back on the worms. He still gets a couple every day as a treat. The worms put the weight on them real quick. Gracie won't touch insects and it took her a lot longer to gain weight.

Good luck with your little guy!
Alice

P.S. My chucks don't drink either. They get all the water they need from their veggies.

I give my chucks a bowl of water right in front of the food dish. I'm not sure if they drink from it or how often but it's always dirty so I know they at least walk through it. I also drip water on a rock for them and they all love it.

I had heard not to give chucks water but after nearly losing several chucks, I found that they not only enjoy drinking but it makes them stronger, more alert, instead of how you would think any animal would act if it was gehydrated.

After losing my first chuck to renal failure caused by dehydration, my new babies will never be without water in their tank.

Char