Chameleons are obligate insectivores with a reputation for being picky — most will only take moving prey, and almost everything they eat, they eat whole. Feeder quality has an outsized effect on their health.
What to Feed
Dubia roaches, sized to roughly the width of the chameleon's mouth, are the best all-around staple — high protein, manageable fat, and roaches don't burrow or hide the way mealworms do in a planted enclosure. Mealworms and superworms can round out variety for adults but shouldn't be a daily staple due to their chitin-to-nutrient ratio.
How Much & How Often
- Juveniles (0–4 months): As many appropriately sized insects as they'll eat in a 10–15 minute feeding, 2 times a day.
- Sub-adults (4–9 months): 6–8 insects daily.
- Adults: Every 1–2 days, 4–6 insects per feeding, adjusted for body condition.
Gut-Loading & Dusting
Because chameleons eat only what's put in front of them, gut-loading isn't a nice-to-have — it's the main way they get calcium and vitamin A. Dust every feeding with calcium (no D3 if under UVB), and use a D3 supplement weekly otherwise. Full detail in our gut-loading guide.
What to Watch For
Feed from a cup or feeding station where possible — loose insects can hide in foliage, stress a chameleon that hunts by sight, or go uneaten and become a hiding hazard.