Dusting crickets, gutloading, or both.

[gozetec02]

Ok my veiled chameleon is doing good so far. I was wondering if i should dust the crickets or if gutloading them is ok or should i do both. I heard that with lizards the excess dust could get in thier eyes.

Also what should i do to put a little variety in his meals. He is small only about 6 months old.

[chubbs123]

you should dust with a good calcium/ vit D3 if your chameleon is kept in doors and once a week plus you should use a multivitamin/mineral supplement. As for dust getting in there eyes just dont let the powder fall on them. Try silkworms, butterworms, a few wax worms....

[Marla]

Just remember, you're dusting them, not coating them to fry. You don't need a lot on the crix as long as the chameleon hunts them down relatively soon after they're put into the enclosure. Also, gutloading is for making the crickets better nutritionally, whereas dusting is for supplementing. It's kind of like asking, "should I avoid junk food or take a multivitamin?", where ideally you'd do both but either is better than nothing.

[gozetec02]

I kept him inside up untill yesterday. This morning i left him ouside on the patio in his reptarium so he can get a full day of natural light. Is it better for him to be outside or inside? Does to UVB rays get to him even if he is in a shaded area or does he need to be in direct sunlight?