How many crickets will a veiled cham eat in a week ?

[dimmy32]

I've owned iguanas, desert iguanas, chuckwallas and skinks. I'm no stranger to the lizard world.
I'm thinking about getting a veiled chameleon. The pet-store owner I spoke to, told me that one adult will eat 3 dozen crickets/week. This seems like a lot of food , not to mention a bit expensive to me.
I have a 55 gallon aquarium with a screened top, and a full-spectrum incandescent lamp .

If any of you have a veiled cham, please tell me the ins and outs of owning one.

thanks !

dimmy
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	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[SteveP]

Well, my lizard experience is limited to Pogona and assorted geckos, so I can't help answer your question, but I did want to say "welcome" to Reptilehaven! Hang tight, there'll likely be someone by soon to give you some expert advice regarding the veiled chameleon! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[BWSmith]

First, welcome to RH!

now to your question. Chameleons arctually pretty fragile lizards. For a set up, aquariums are not recommended. Chams need a lot of air circulation to prevent bacteria. I deally, a total screen enclosure or No enclosure would be best. What I mean by no enclosure is the may i kept my Chams in the past. i go a large tupperware (large as in wide, not tall) or a large metal pan of some sort. Put a Ficus tree in the center so that no limbs overhang the tupperware (no lid). Make sure the tupperwar is high enough that the cham cannot climb out. Chams cannot jump. They can only climb and fall. So if the tree is not overhanging, he cannot fall out of the enclosure and if he cannot reach the sides of the tuppware or climb up it, he cannot get out. They need to be misted several times a day as ost do not take to a water dish and they will drink water off the leaves. You may also use a drip system to give them water. Veileds grow very large. I would not doubt an adult taking a dozen crix a day at least. Babies (VERY hard to keep) and juvinales wont take near that much. What I did was get a 32 ounce plastic cup and put vit and calcium suppliments ont he bottom and throw the crix inwith a perch over the top so their tongue can reach the bottom. As the get crix with the sticky tongue, the get the vitimins as well. When he has had his fill, remove the cup and put any leftover crickets back into their holding container for the next feeding. Because they need to be constantly misted, and aquarium offers very little circulation. This promotes bacteria browth. Chams also stress out very easy and stress can kill them faster than a bullet. be sure to get a captive bred cham as there are many imports out there and it is hard to treat a cham for internal parasites. Most imports are so stressed out anyway that they die within a week.

It appears that you have mainly kept desert lizards an iguana and a skink (no idea which kind). Chameleons are very labor intesive and have little tolerance for minor lapses in husbandry. I would probably work my way up to Chameleons. They are probably one of the most difficult lizards to keep in captivity and require a great deal of time and attention with very little handling.

Hope that helps.
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	Crickets Crix

[dimmy32]

Great advice, Pres.HotHead : )

I think I'll pass on the veiled chams...I own a cottage , and often spend weekends there..I already have a chuckwalla , a desert iguana and a Berber skink. They keep my busy enough.

I've also owned green iguana, but had to sell them , when they both reached over 3 feet long - the female was actually laying eggs !

dimmy
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[faze]

hmmm.... i thought i had posted on this thread as soon as it came up ......oh well bw covered exactly what i said [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters