Trying to figure out what kinds of insects to feed your pet chameleon? If you’re planning to get a chameleon, you might want to arrange for feeder insects in advance, as they eat up as many as 15 insects a day.
You might be wondering about hornworms, given that they are among the most popular feeder insects. Well, chameleons do eat hornworms but wait till your chameleon is at least at a juvenile stage.
Hornworms don’t provide chameleons with enough nutrition when they are babies, and they might be somewhat dangerous too.
Hornworms are a part of the moth caterpillar family, which means they pupate midway through their life cycle and turn into moths.
Easily differentiated from other caterpillars by the horn on their abdomen, they can grow up to 4 inches and are one of the largest immature insects in the world.
Hornworms found in the wild can be poisonous because they consume and store toxins from plants that they eat, such as tomatoes and tobacco.
It is easy to differentiate toxic hornworms from non-toxic ones: if there are no toxins in their body, hornworms are blue. Due to the yellow substance produced by toxins, their color becomes green.
As a devoted chameleon owner, you want to provide your pet with optimal nutrition to ensure it grows big and strong. In addition to setting up a comfortable habitat, feeding your chameleon the right diet is crucial You may be wondering if hornworms are a suitable feeder insect for chameleons In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about hornworms and whether they make a good addition to your chameleon’s diet.
What are Hornworms?
Hornworms are a type of caterpillar in the moth family. They get their name from the horn-like projection on their rear end, which they wave around to deter predators when disturbed.
There are several species of hornworms, but the most common varieties used as feeder insects are the tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) and tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta). They are originally from tropical regions but can now be found worldwide.
Some key facts about hornworms:
- They are one of the largest caterpillars, growing over 4 inches (10 cm) long
- More than half their body is digestive system
- They grow exponentially fast, increasing 10,000 times their hatching weight in 2 weeks
- They complete their life cycle from egg to moth in 4-6 weeks
Are Hornworms Good for Chameleons?
When deciding whether to feed your chameleon hornworms you’ll want to weigh up the pros and cons
Pros of Feeding Hornworms
- Excellent source of hydration – up to 85% water content
- Juicy, tasty treat that chameleons love
- Low risk of impaction due to soft exoskeleton
- Less risk of choking due to squishy body
Cons of Feeding Hornworms
- Grow extremely quickly – small worms get too big, too fast
- Can bite defensively
- Low in protein compared to other feeders
- Can cause loose stools due to high moisture content
- Potentially toxic if wild-caught eating tomato plants
Important: Never collect wild hornworms as food. Tomato hornworms become toxic after eating tomato plants.
Where to Buy Hornworms
You can purchase captive-bred hornworms from pet stores or online insect suppliers. They are sold in a variety of sizes – small, medium and large. I recommend buying the smallest size possible because of their rapid growth rate.
Hornworms are usually sold in containers holding 12-30 worms. Some kits come with hornworm food so you can grow them to a certain size. Always start with the smallest worms and size container since they grow so quickly.
Hornworm Size for Chameleons
Despite being larger than the space between your chameleon’s eyes (the standard insect size guideline), hornworms are soft-bodied so size is less of an issue. Their high fluid content allows most adult chameleons to eat full-grown hornworms without problems.
However, hornworm size considerations are still important:
Baby Chameleons
Avoid feeding hornworms to babies under 6 months old. They need high protein foods for growth. Hornworms are mostly water and grow too rapidly to be good feeders.
Juvenile Chameleons
At 6-12 months old, appetite decreases so juveniles can handle an occasional small hornworm for variety. But they still need protein-rich staple insects for proper development.
Adult Chameleons
Adults can eat hornworms more regularly as tasty supplements. Any size hornworm can work as a treat in an adult’s diet.
Feeding Schedule
Follow a controlled feeding schedule to ensure a balanced, nutritious diet:
Baby Chameleons
- Feed minimum 15 small, protein-rich insects 2 times daily
Juvenile Chameleons
- Feed 8-10 insects once daily
- Substitute 1-2 insects with a small hornworm every 2-3 days
Adult Chameleons
- Feed 6 full-size insects every 2 days
- Replace 1-2 insects with 1-2 hornworms (any size)
If stools become loose, stop hornworms for a few days.
How to Feed Hornworms
Hornworms are easy to handle due to their large size and soft body. But they will whip around trying to escape! Use tongs if you’re uncomfortable picking them up.
The horn is just a piece of skin – it won’t hurt your chameleon. Some feeding tips:
- Place on a leaf in your chameleon’s sightline and wait for them to eat it
- Hand feed if your chameleon is comfortable with handling
- Remove uneaten worms after 10-15 minutes
Tips for Feeding Hornworms
Follow these tips for easier hornworm feeding:
- Store container upside down so frass falls into the lid
- Refrigerate at 50°F to slow growth; speed up at 80°F
- Cut large worms in half to reduce size
- Always feed head first to avoid defensive bites
In conclusion, hornworms can be a beneficial supplement but not a staple food for chameleons. Wait until 6 months old before introducing them. Prioritize protein-rich feeders for babies and juveniles especially.
Monitor stool quality and cut back hornworms if diarrhea occurs. When fed properly as an occasional treat, hornworms provide chameleons with a soft, hydrating food source they seem to relish.
Can Chameleons Eat Wild Hornworms?
The hornworms in your vegetable garden look like a nice source of free pet food, right? Well, not really. While you can easily find these pests in nature, it’s unsafe to feed your pet wild hornworms.
Both tomato and tobacco hornworms are harmless to chameleons, but only until they feed on something that can make them poisonous.
Hence, feeding your pet chameleon wild hornworms would be a rather bad idea as you never know what those worms may have eaten so far.
Can Chameleons Eat Dead Hornworms?
Unlike some other reptiles commonly kept as pets, chameleons will eat dead hornworms too. However, you should remember that the nutritional value of dead hornworms is much lower than live ones, especially if they have dried up.
Also, in case the hornworm has died from disease, eating it might make your pet fall sick and lead to many complications. It is best not to feed your chameleon a dead worm.
Can chameleons eat hornworms?
FAQ
What are the best worms for chameleons?
hornworms, silkworms, dubias, crickets are all better feeders than wax worms.
How often do hornworms eat?
Hornworms should only be fed about once every 2-3 weeks since they’re pretty fatty.Mar 2, 2022
How many worms should a chameleon eat a day?
For adult chameleons, they should only be fed 5-6 insects per feeding. After they have finished it, you can add a couple more to their dish.Mar 31, 2022