i had a baby veiled chameleon, it died a month ago, and im still wondering why, i went back to researching, and think i may have come up with the possible problem i had. i had a huge cage for my little guy, he was only around 4 inches long, head to tail. he was in a 65 gallon cage set up, with trees, and branches going all over his cage. i had his feeder cups at the top of the cage, where he always would sit, i read that i should put them at the bottom. is this true do to the fact that they like to hunt and would look down into it, or would this not cause much of a problem. my main problem with my chameleon was that he never ate, so i thought this could have played a part in his death. also his humidity was to low, around the 50%. he started shedding, but was never unable to get a small pieace of dead skin from his head. the vet said this caused an eye infection, but i think the lack of food, lead to this. so when i get my next chameleon, should i place the food dishes at the bottom, get a smaller cage, build my own cage to keep humidity at a good percentage. anyone got any good advice for me, or know if the location of the food dish could have played a part in the death of my chameleon, thanks for any help or advice!

Personally i let the insects be free range but the cup placement isnt crucial...most put it midway up so that the chameleon can shoot down into it.
Chameleons stop eating generally when they are sick. Other reasons can be they are sick of the type of insect you are feeding them. Most times though are cause they are sick. How long did you have the chameleon before he became sick?

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http://chameleonstree.com/
http://www.usablanketandscarf.com/

I agree with Chameleon Tree's statements.

I also free range my feeders. No experience with cup feeding all the time. I do place a plastic bowl at the base of the plants for worms, if I do not hand feed them to them. They know this location and check it often. The humidity seems okay as long as it increases with mistings.

I would try again with a larger chameleon to start off. If a veiled perhaps 7-9" range. I would have to agree that the cage seems rather large considering the size of the chameleon.

When I started out with my little veiled (he was about 4 inches then...maybe less) I put him in a 65 gallon cage too in which he still lives. I'm glad that he turned out ok. But what's exactely is the problem when a cage is to big? Isn't the wild just one huge cage?

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Little Chris

Hi all,

A baby chameleon should always have a smaller cage habitat in order for them to reach their feeders and not be too overwhelmed with trying to catch their food. Plus, a fall from a high branch in a large cage could be harmful as well. Typically, the rule of thumb is to have a smaller cage size of around 18" x 12" x 12" for a smaller chameleon up to around 4-5 months of age. I also free roam my feeders as it gives them an opportunity to excercise and hunt and it also keeps their tongue in shape for catching their prey. Be careful with the basking light in this small of cage, as baby chameleons can burn easily. Use a lower wattage bulb and keep the distance at least 6-12 inches away from the basking area, however, check the temperature and you should have a range of around 80 - 90 degrees for their basking.

Once your chameleon is around 6-7 months of age (males) you can move up to a larger cage habitat. They are then large enough to catch their prey with ease and feel more secure in a large caging system than a young baby chameleon.

Hope this helps!

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Jenna
www.prismchameleons.com

i had him for about 3 weeks before he got sick. i tried giving him worms but he would not eat them. i also let some crickets free range, but i had a problem with my cage, and the crickets could escape from the cage, and get out. so i think i might get a better made, smaller cage when i get my next chameleon. i will let the crickets free range. thanks for all the help, just cant wait for the spring now so i can get my new chameleon. maybe ill get one next month after christmas.