One of the difficult parts of having a chameleon as a pet is definitely the part
where you have to feed it live prey. You have to invest time, money, and effort.
You're lucky your chameleon's favorite food is the grasshopper and you've got a
lot of them on your backyard. There have also been reports where chameleons also
like to eat flowers, leaves, or fruit, and that will not give you as hard a time
as looking for live prey will.
Flowers and fruits aside, what is your
chameleon's favorite food? Live prey like insects and worms are still considered
to be nutritious food sources for chameleons. Surely, your chameleon has a
favorite among them:
Crickets:
They are abundant and are often the staple of a chameleon's diet (thought it
should not be the only prey that is fed to your chameleon). Try to include some
grains, leaves, vegetables, and fruits with the crickets.
Mealworms and Grain Beetles: Grain beetles are
the adult form of mealworms, and the chameleon eats either one. Mealworms and
grain beetles are also inexpensive and can go with the leafy and fruit diet like
crickets.
Waxworms and Wax Moths: Wax moths are the adult
form, and both the worm and the moth are favorites of most chameleons.
Chameleons may love the moth more than the larvae. These should only be fed to
your chameleon once in a while though, because it is high in fat.
Superworms and Beetles: Beetles are the adult
form of superworms, and these should only be fed to the adult or larger species
of the chameleons. The superworms may look like mealworms, but they are bigger
and have a slightly different color. They might be too big for small chameleons.
Fruit Flies: Baby chameleons
generally require and prefer small prey, and fruit flies fit the bill. You can
start your own colony of fruit flies if you want; it's easy to do if you learn
how to.
Houseflies: Just be
informed not to use housefly larvae or maggots as food for your chameleon.
Silkworms and Silk Moths: Silk
moths are obviously the adult forms of the silkworms, and are great for larger
chameleons. For small chameleons, however, stick to the silkworms. Silkworms are
an ideal food source for chameleons of all sizes, and it is also very
nutritious.
Hornworms and Sphinx or Hawk
Moths: Sphinx or Hawk Moths are the adult forms, and the large chameleons
love them. The hornworms can be fed to a chameleon of any size.
Tropical Roaches: Take note that when it comes
to roaches, it should be cultured or non-infesting. These are an inexpensive
food source for your chameleon, and are also an ideal addition to your
chameleon's diet when included with leaves and fruits.
These
are just some of the live prey that your chameleon wants and needs. You can also
include walking sticks, grasshoppers, locusts, katydids, garden pests, pantry
pests, wild moths, and other nocturnal insects.
Ultimately, though, it
will depend on your chameleon's preference on what it wants to eat. It will be
your job to figure out its favorites and dislikes. So.. what is your chameleon's
favorite food?
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The author of this article is currently
working on Chameleon Care. Feel free to
contact her at keywriterm@gmail.com for any inquiries or concerns.
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Monday, September 22, 2008 View other articles written by Mary Ann Porsuelo(277)
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