Apples are the most popular fruit in the world. This fruit is known for its sweet taste and packed with nutrition. For humans, apples make a great snack to eat. If you have a chameleon, you may wonder if you can give them apples as well.
So, can chameleons eat apples? Yes, chameleons can eat apples. This fruit is packed with nutrition and healthy for them to eat. Due to their high sugar content, apples should be fed to the chameleon in moderation. When feeding them, avoid the seeds as they contain cyanide. This toxin is harmful to the chameleon, even in small amounts.
Table of Contents
Health Benefits of Apples for Chameleons
Apples are a popular fruit due to their high amount of nutrition. This fruit is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that the chameleon requires daily. Also, it’s a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, and potassium.
One raw, unpeeled, medium-sized apple (100 grams):
- Calories: 52
- Water: 86%
- Protein: 0.3 grams
- Carbs: 13.8 grams
- Sugar: 10.4 grams
- Fiber: 2.4 grams
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Vitamin C: 14% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 5% of the RDI
The above data is according to the USDA
Below are some of the health benefits of feeding apples to your chameleon:
Improve Digestion
Apple is a good source of fiber. Fiber is vital for a healthy digestive system. It helps promote regular bowel movement, which will prevent constipation in chameleon.
Also, it will help move food through their digestive system smoothly.
Boost Immune System
Apples are a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is important for the health of the chameleon. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system, which will prevent the chameleon from becoming ill. If they do become ill, plenty of vitamin C will help them recover from the illness quickly.
Can Baby Chameleon Eat Apples?
Yes, baby chameleons can eat apples. You can give them a small piece of the apple. Make sure it’s smaller than the diameter of their eye. This will ensure the baby chameleon will not choke on it.
Chameleon doesn’t chew their food, they will simply swallow it whole.
Can Chameleon Eat Apple Seeds?
Avoid giving your chameleon any apple seeds. The seeds are too hard and could cause them to choke on them. Also, it contains cyanide which is a toxin that’s harmful to chameleons.
It’s best to remove the seeds from the apple before feeding them the fruit.
Can Chameleon Eat Apple Skin?
The skin of the apple is safe for the chameleons to eat. It doesn’t contain any natural toxins that could harm them. Also, apple skin is very nutritious for them to eat.
However, if the apples are bought from the grocery stores, or you don’t know the source of it, it’s best to peel the skin off. Commercially grown apples will contain a trace of chemicals in them. Chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers are commonly used to grow apples. These chemicals are toxic to the chameleons, even death can occur.
How To Feed Apples To Chameleons
When feeding chameleons, there are a couple of different methods to feed them. Below are the 2 methods in which you can try to give them some of this delicious fruit:
Feeding Apples To Chameleon Using Your Hand
This method is a great way to bond with your chameleon. The more you feed them with your hand, the more trust they will have in you.
However, you’ll need to be careful since they may bite you. The bite is usually not painful, and they will let go once they know it’s one of your fingers.
Cut a piece of apple into a small cube piece. Hold the piece of apple in your finger and slowly move toward them. Move the apple close to their mouth as close as possible.
They may ignore it as they are afraid of you, especially if this is your first time feeding them. After a while, they will try to take the apple from your finger.
Feeding Apples To Chameleon Using a Cup
This method is simple and straightforward. All you need to do is cut the apple into small pieces and place it into a cup.
The chameleon will go to the cup and eat the apple.
How Many Apples Can a Chameleon Eat?
Apples are very nutritious for the chameleon, but you should only feed them in a small amount. This means one or two small pieces of apple are enough for them to enjoy it.
Apples should be given to them as a treat since it’s not their staple food. Chameleons should be fed insects daily. This can include crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers. These insects have calcium, which is vital to the health of the chameleons.
How Often To Feed Apples To a Chameleon?
Chameleons should be fed apples in moderation. Feeding them apples too often could result in the chameleon developing health issues. Apples have a lot of sugar in them and too much of it could result in being obese.
To prevent any health issues, it’s best to feed apples to your chameleon once or twice per week.
Other Fruits That Chameleons Can Eat
Bananas
Banana is a tropical fruit that’s found in the chameleon’s natural habitat. This fruit is packed with nutrition that’s healthy for the chameleons. However, bananas also have a lot of sugar, which is unhealthy for them to eat in large amounts. Bananas should be fed to them as a treat, once or twice per week.
Peaches
During the summer, peaches are abundant. If you have some, you can feed them to your chameleon. Make sure to only feed them the flesh part. The seeds have cyanide which is toxic to the chameleon. Give them a small piece of the peach, once or twice per week.
Papaya
Papaya is a fruit that can be given to the chameleon as a treat. Only feed them once the papaya has ripened to make it easier for them to eat and digest it. Feed papaya to the chameleons in moderation due to their high amount of sugar content.
Conclusion
Apples are nutritious and healthy for the chameleon to eat. However, due to their high level of sugar, it’s best to feed them in moderation. Apples should not replace their main diet of insects.