Feeding Schedule & Nutrition Tips for Your Chameleon
- Connor O'Keefe
- Apr 5
- 2 min read
What Do Chameleons Eat?
Chameleons are primarily insectivores, which means their diet is mostly made up of live insects. Some will snack on leaves and other plant matter, but it’s insects that provide the majority of their nutrition.
The best options include:
Crickets
Dubia Roaches
Silkworms
Hornworms
Supplementation: Dusting and Gutloading
While the insect itself provides some nutrition, they are also a vehicle to provide your chameleon with vitamins and other supplements. At Chameo, we gutload our insects (primarily crickets) with Rapashy Superload, which we mix as a gel and feed to our crickets beginning 24-48 hours before they are to be fed to the chameleons. This ensures that our chameleons are getting the most nutritious crickets possible.
Then we dust them.
Dusting: Calcium and others:
Calcium is essential for strong bones and preventing metabolic bone disease (MBD). Every insect should be dusted with calcium before feeding. We use ZooMed ReptiCal without D3. While you can optionally augment calcium with D3, they should be synthesizing all the D3 they need within their own bodies with your UVB bulb.
We are also experimenting with dusting with spirulina powder and bee pollen. While we have seen no down sides, we will report back once we feel like we can make a confident assessment of how these are affecting our chameleons coloration or nutrition.
How Often Should You Feed Your Chameleon?
The feeding schedule for your chameleon will vary depending on their age and species. Here’s a general guideline:
Juveniles (while they are still growing): Feed daily to support their rapid growth and energy needs.
Adults: Feed every other day. Overfeeding adult chameleons can lead to obesity and other health problems, so moderation is key.
Since chameleons and insects come in an array of sizes, it's hard to make a statement on exactly how many insects should be fed during a feeding. For adult chameleons, approximately 6-8 cricket-sized insects is about right for a meal.
Tip: Always observe your chameleon’s body condition and adjust the feeding schedule based on their activity level and size. If they’re still growing, they usually need more food, while adults can thrive on less.
Feeding Variety
While insects should make up the bulk of your chameleon’s diet, offering a variety of bugs is important. Crickets are our staple, but we also like to switch it up with dubia roaches, and silkworms for extra nutritional diversity.
The more variety in the diet, the better! It also keeps feeding time interesting for you and your chameleon.
Conclusion
A proper feeding schedule and nutrition plan are critical to keeping your chameleon healthy and happy. By following the right routine, supplementing correctly, and offering a variety of nutritious insects, you’ll give your chameleon the best chance at a long, healthy life.
Remember: feeding isn’t just about the food—it’s about making sure your chameleon feels safe, hydrated, and well-cared-for. If you ever have questions or would like tips on how we do things at Chameo, we are always happy to share ideas! Message us if you need anything.
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