When it comes to feeding chameleons, they should be fed different varieties of food to keep them healthy. This is especially true when it comes to chameleons that are kept in captivity. If they are fed just insects, they will not get all the nutrition that their bodies require. One of the food that chameleon can eat is bananas. However, most people are used to seeing chameleons eat insects and when it comes to bananas, they will wonder if chameleons can eat bananas or not.
So, can chameleons eat bananas? Chameleons can eat bananas and will not have any health issues. Bananas are great food to supplements their diet. However, they should not be fed too many bananas as it can affect their health. In moderation, bananas are a great source of minerals and vitamins for chameleons.
Can Chameleons Eat Bananas?
Chameleons can eat bananas and it’s actually great for them. However, it should only be fed to them in a couple of times a week and not daily.
Chameleons are reptiles that like different varieties of food in their diet, which makes bananas great. Bananas are great for chameleons as it will keep them interested in their food. By giving them bananas,
Bananas should only be given to them as supplementary food to their main diet of insects. Feeding them bananas is a way to spice things up a little, and keeping the chameleons interested and engaged with eating.
Feeding them bananas will also help them get their nutritional needs to help keep their bodies healthy. In captivity, chameleons will not get their nutritional needs met just by eating crickets and other insects. Adding bananas and other different types of food to the mix will help ensure they do get all their nutritional requirements.
Nutrition From Eating Bananas
When you feed your pet chameleon bananas, they get all sorts of nutrients. The following are some of the vitamins and minerals chameleons get from eating bananas:
Vitamin B6 – This vitamin is also known as pyridoxine, a water-soluble vitamin that is responsible for the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters. Chameleons need this vitamin to help keep their skin healthy and strong immune system.
Vitamin C – This vitamin is also known as ascorbic acid, which is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. Vitamin C helps chameleon absorb iron, keep the immune system strong, heal wounds, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.
Carbohydrates – Great source of energy for the chameleons. It helps keeps them active and alert.
Fiber – Constipation is a common problem for reptiles, especially those kept in captivity. Feeding them bananas will help prevent this problem from happening.
Protein – This is crucial for building and repairing muscles and other body tissues. Since chameleon shed often, feeding them bananas will help them shed easier.
Magnesium – This mineral is important for blood circulation and heart health. A regular diet of bananas will help keep the chameleon healthy.
Types Of Banana Chameleon Can Eat
Apple Bananas
The Apple banana is also known as Latundan, Manzano, and Silk banana is a hybrid cultivar of the Musa balbisiana banana plant. This banana is stout and plump, with a thick taut skin peel. The taste of this banana is both tangy and sweet with apple nuances.
Apple bananas contain a high amount of potassium and fiber. They have even a higher amount of vitamins A and C than most other bananas.
While these bananas varieties are not native to their natural habitat, they do make great food for chameleons due to the high amount of nutrition that it’s packed with.
Cavendish Bananas
Cavendish banana is a variety that is popular around the world. It’s the varieties of bananas you’ll see sold in supermarkets and grocery stores across the U.S.
This banana is packed with potassium and pectin, a form of fiber. Also, it’s has a significant amount of magnesium and vitamins C and B6.
These are great for feeding chameleons because they are available at any store that sells fruits.
Red Bananas
Red bananas are not as popular as the yellow bananas, but they are extremely nutritious. It contains 11 minerals, 6 vitamins, and lots of fiber and good carbohydrates.
What makes these bananas unique is their red color. Since it is red color, it has a high content of anthocyanin which acts as an antioxidant.
Red bananas are not as popular as yellow bananas so it might be hard to find them at some locations. If you can get your hand on red bananas, they yield higher nutritions than yellow varieties.
How To Feed Chameleons Bananas
You can either feed them a whole banana or cut them into slices. With whole bananas, make sure to wash the fruit first. Even though it seems clean, there might be some parasites on it that a naked eye can’t see. After cleaning the banana, put the entire banana into the enclosure. It’s best to put it where they usually feed.
Some people put the banana with the husk still attached, while others will peel the husk off the banana first. This will depend on your pet chameleon. Some will eat the entire banana including the husk and some might not touch it if it isn’t peeled first.
As for banana slices, you can cut the bananas in half or into a couple of small slices. Like the whole bananas, sliced bananas will depend on your chameleon.
Feeding them bananas either whole or sliced, you can put the bananas into a cup, leave them on the branch of the tree or plant, or hand feed them. You can experiment with all three ways and see which one your chameleon responds best to.
Since bananas are high in sugar, they will need to drink plenty of water afterward. Make sure to mist the cage after they are done eating.
How Often To Feed Bananas To Chameleons
Feeding bananas to your pet chameleon should never be more than a couple of times per week. If you feed chameleons too often, even with their daily diet of insects, they will still have health issues. Bananas are high in sugar and for chameleons, that can be a dangerous thing. Bananas should be fed as a supplement and not as a replacement for their staple food.
Depending on the size of your chameleon, more or fewer bananas can be fed to them. For example, veiled chameleons are one of the largest chameleon species so they will have a big appetite. Therefore, they can be fed bananas every 3 to 4 days. On the other hand, smaller species such as the pygmy chameleons, they can be fed bananas once or twice a week. This is a general guideline if you’re planning to feed them bananas only. However, it’s best to rotate bananas with other fruits and vegetables as well.
When feeding them, place the bananas in their cage with insects. It’s best to feed bananas along with their staple foods of crickets and other insects. While chameleons will go after the insects first, they will start eating the bananas when there are no insects left in the cage or when they get hungry. So bananas can be a great snack for chameleons as well.
Do Chameleon Eat Bananas In The Wild?
In the wild, some chameleons do eat bananas. Bananas are found throughout their natural habitat.
The majority of chameleon species are from Madagascar. Their natural habitat in Madagascar is the tropical rainforest. Bananas grow naturally throughout the rainforest so bananas are a common food to them.
Bananas can sometimes be scarce since these fruits only grow during the warmer season. Therefore, when a chameleon is given the opportunity, they will eat as many bananas as they can.
Can Bananas Be Bad For Chameleons?
Sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad. This is especially true when it comes to feeding bananas to chameleons. If your pet chameleon is eating too many bananas or eat it too frequently, it could cause some health issues for them.
Bananas are very high in sugar content and because of the consistency, it could be very dangerous for the chameleon. This can lead to excessive weight gain and high blood pressure.
Most chameleons have a short lifespan with an average of only 5 years. By feeding them an excessive amount of bananas, it could drastically shorten their lifespan. So why put them in danger and potentially shortening their lifespan with something they don’t really need?
Related Questions
My chameleon is not eating bananas
If you tried feeding bananas to your chameleon and they are not eating it, they may not be interested in it. Some chameleons like the taste of bananas and some don’t. If you want to feed bananas to your chameleons, you can try gut loading the insects instead. It’s basically the same as a chameleon eating bananas. They will still get all the nutrition from the bananas.
