What happens when your chameleon falls sick and starts refusing to eat anything? You certainly must wonder about how long chameleons can go without eating as a matter of just hours or days could become potentially lethal for your chameleon to go without eating; keep reading below to know more about this!
A chameleon is a unique animal that can act swiftly for its defense by essentially camouflaging itself from predators or other threats. This would be a sight to behold for someone who owns chameleons as a pet.
How long can chameleons go without food
How long can chameleons go without eating food? In general, if your chameleon refuses to eat and would instead prefer to remain empty, then a healthy adult veiled chameleon will be able to go about 1-2 weeks or even a month, that is granted if they are getting water from misting while having no food.
This period can increase a bit further if the chameleons are not eating during the winter season, as their body’s metabolism will slow down due to the cold.
A week max should be the upper limit for chameleons to go about without water. If your chameleons haven’t fed or been given water, then it might be time to do so, as they might experience dehydration from the lack of water.
Symptoms of a starving chameleon can be the following:
- Loss of color
- Lethargy
- Loss of weight
- Shivering
If it is a juvenile chameleon, it would be a good idea to ensure they are fed at least every few days or less, along with drinking water.
How long can chameleons go without food? This can depend on what type of chameleon you have, how old they are, and whether they are drinking water while having no food, but as a rule of thumb, two weeks should be max or a month if your chameleon is only drinking water.
How long can chameleons go without water?
As a general rule, while chameleons might be able to go for months altogether without eating, not getting enough water for even two days could be harmful to a chameleon.
Therefore, at best, chameleons can last for a week or less if they are not getting water before dying from dehydration.
How long can chameleons go without eating and drinking water? If your chameleons are neither drinking water nor eating anything, the maximum limit for them to go would be 2 or 3 days or a week if they are lucky.
How often should a chameleon eat?
While you may know how long chameleons can go without eating, you might be wondering how often chameleons should eat without suffering the severe consequences of starvation.
Adult chameleons should eat 2-3 times per day unless they are sick; chameleons can also be fed five or more insects every other day, whereas baby chameleons should be small insects bordering on 12 or just a bit more.
A mister is also required for chameleons as they usually require 2-3 misting per day to allow them to soak in enough water to remain healthy; this requirement will slightly increase for warmer days as the water will dry out quicker, which will require you to spray your chameleons with more water to keep them wet and hydrated.
How long can chameleons go without eating and getting water? A week or less at best if they are not eating but getting water, then more than a week or even a month if it is a healthy veiled chameleon.
