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Chameleons are members of the reptile family that are known for their remarkable ability to blend in with their surroundings, making it easier for them to hunt for prey and hide from predators. They mainly live in African rainforests and savannas, and sometimes they can be found in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Learn what chameleons eat, how they hunt, and more!
What do chameleons eat?
Chameleons are insectivorous reptiles that usually eat insects such as flies, crickets, and grasshoppers. However, due to the environment in which there may be a lack of food, they will also eat vegetation from time to time.
The diet of chameleons is mainly made up of small insects, which are the main source of protein. Greens such as dandelions and escarole are also included in their diet and are a good source of hydration, vitamins and essential minerals.
A complete list of what chameleons eat
Chameleons usually eat a healthy mix of insects and plants. Larger chameleons can even eat other animals, such as small birds and other small reptiles.
Chameleons mainly eat foods such as:
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Silkworm
- Flies
- Cicadas
- Grasshoppers
- Snails
- Leaves and other plants
- Locust
- worms
- Caterpillars
- Berries
- Apples
- Bananas
- Persimmon
- Dandelions
What do different types of chameleons eat?
The diet of chameleons depends on their size. Smaller species, such as the Veiled Chameleon, consume primarily small insects and vegetation. Larger chameleons, such as the Malagasy giant chameleon, can eat larger insects, smaller birds, and other reptiles.
How much do chameleons eat?
The amount of food that chameleons consume depends on their age.
Before their first birthday, chameleons require more food than adults. In the wild, their food may be scarce, so they will eat as much as they can. While in captivity, chameleon babies eat 12 to 18 small insects per day, usually spread over two feedings.
Adult chameleons in the wild are adaptive eaters, which means they eat as much as they can find prey. If they cannot find food, they can go many weeks without food if they have access to water. In captivity, they eat about 3-4 insects a day.
Chameleons do not drink water from puddles in the forest floor in the wild, or from water dishes in captivity. Instead, they prefer to drink drops of water from the leaves or the water that drips from the leaves after a rainstorm.
How do chameleons hunt?
Chameleons have excellent vision that allows them to see their prey up to 10 yards away. Their eyes also move independently of each other and can see a full all-round view of the world around them, allowing them to quickly search for and find prey.
Chameleons move very slowly as they approach their prey. Once in close range, they quickly fire sticky tongues to grab food instantly. The tongues of some chameleons go from 0 to 60 mph in a hundredth of a second!
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