Photo: Siobhan Motherway Source: Museum Victoria
Every few days, we are lucky enough to have a visit from one of the Live Exhibits staff. In most establishments, a person carrying a canister full of dusty cockroaches wouldn't receive such a warm welcome, however Leon's feeding time always draws a crowd!
The menu consists of a few crickets or cockroaches, served at the end of special forceps. These special "feeder" insects are raised by the Live Exhibits staff, and are garnished with a calcium powder to ensure Leon gets all the nutrition he needs. Because Leon's colour-changing abilities tend to rely on his mood, a good feed soon has him flushing a lovely bright green.
Leon is known to be a relatively lazy feeder; some chameleons can stretch their tongues out almost the length of their bodies! However, Leon will stretch to an inch or two, appropriately tantalised with a calcium-dusted insect. The performance usually draws a fascinated or disgusted response from the crowd, as people catch sight of his pale, sticky tongue.
Photo: Siobhan Motherway Source: Museum Victoria
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