New Pygmy Chameleon!

I just got a new pygmy chameleon from canvas chameleons. This is my first time caring for a chameleon and Kyle was super helpful, thank you!

This is my set up, do I need more branches? I'm going to put some spagnum moss in there later, but would that make it more difficult for him to find the crickets?

And also regarding the humidity, sometimes it is at the right humidity but there aren't that many water droplets to drink from, is that alright or should I do a misting?

Thanks! :>

Add some horizontal branches.. Nd is ur enclosure a glass tank? Chamms do best in screen type enclosures..

Actually these days, most people keep Pygmy chams in glass terrariums. I know a lot of people who line the inside with cork, and make a wonderful home for their chams. Dooley1, who has bred and sold carpet chams in the 100's, keeps all his in exoterra terrariums.

its the exoterra tank, its got a screen on top and some ventilation on the bottom I think. I read that this one was fine to keep them in.
so I should just lay branches across the bottom of the tank?

Ohh I never thought of cork. Does it mold or anything if it gets too wet or is it okay? Can they climb it when you line the walls with it?

I just got some pygmy gals from Canvas Chameleons, too. As soon as I get a day off, I'll do a photo shoot. They're beautiful.

On one of my vivs I lined the sides and back with cork, and it worked out great! No mold issues and they do climb it on occasion.
The best part is that you can wedge branches horizontally, and they'll stay put. I used aquarium silicone to hold the cork panels in place. You have to let it air out for a few days before you can put animals back in.

MelissaB said:

I just got some pygmy gals from Canvas Chameleons, too. As soon as I get a day off, I'll do a photo shoot. They're beautiful.

On one of my vivs I lined the sides and back with cork, and it worked out great! No mold issues and they do climb it on occasion.
The best part is that you can wedge branches horizontally, and they'll stay put. I used aquarium silicone to hold the cork panels in place. You have to let it air out for a few days before you can put animals back in.

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Is there another way I could stick them on? I don't really have a place to put him if I have to air it out for a few days. I definitely want to try it tho so I can do cool horizontal branches ooo:
Where did you get your cork?

you do not need to use a lot of sealant . a few dabs in the corners and a few in the center area work fine . the stuff usually cures in about a day . I have put dart frogs in a terrarium 36 hours after using the aquarium silicon and had no problems . as long as the odor is gone it should be fine . you can pick up a spare 10 gal pretty cheap and it is always good to have an extra enclosure or 2.

Also is it normal to not see my chameleon eat or drink? I'm not home a lot but during the times I am I only see him hanging out at the top. I got him Wednesday, I have yet to see him eat or drink but I also can't find the crickets I put in. But they could be hiding.

I have a pygmy I hatched around 6 weeks ago . I did not see him eat until about 2 weeks ago . but the bugs kept disappearing so I was not worried . he has more than doubled in size already . on another note I ordered 2 female pygmies from canvas chameleons yesterday .

blubudgie said:

Is there another way I could stick them on? I don't really have a place to put him if I have to air it out for a few days. I definitely want to try it tho so I can do cool horizontal branches ooo:
Where did you get your cork?

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I bought my cork here:
http://www.cleverbrand.com/default.aspx?CN=1BD087C0F7DB

I had a bigger viv to do and didn't want to mess with a ton of seams. You can also buy it at a craft store or home improvement store. And like Wayne said, you only need a few dabs of sealant to hold the panels in place. If you cut them right, there will also be tension from the two pieces sliding against each other to hold the corners in position.

Okay thanks I'll look into getting some cork.

I don't see all the crickets but I do see like one or two occasionally running around. I usually put in up to five so should I just assume he is eating?

SipeCsus said:

Add some horizontal branches.. Nd is ur enclosure a glass tank? Chamms do best in screen type enclosures..

Click to expand...

Most chams when we generalize are more arborial type chameleons that do well is screen cages. However (most) Pygmy chameleon do well in Glass enclosure. As far as your tank set up goes, it looks okay with me. Plenty of pathways for him to travel and regulate his temps.

laurie said:

Actually these days, most people keep Pygmy chams in glass terrariums. I know a lot of people who line the inside with cork, and make a wonderful home for their chams. Dooley1, who has bred and sold carpet chams in the 100's, keeps all his in exoterra terrariums.

Click to expand...

Spot on Laurie =]

blubudgie said:

its the exoterra tank, its got a screen on top and some ventilation on the bottom I think. I read that this one was fine to keep them in.
so I should just lay branches across the bottom of the tank?

Some horizontal are okay for these guys but you have planted enough he should be fine.

Ohh I never thought of cork. Does it mold or anything if it gets too wet or is it okay? Can they climb it when you line the walls with it?

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Cork can mold if it is constantly wet. Make sure it has enough time to dry between mistings. We use cork in most of our cages. Besides looking nicer, it provides with an extra added sense of security, as they are shy reptiles.

MelissaB said:

I just got some pygmy gals from Canvas Chameleons, too. As soon as I get a day off, I'll do a photo shoot. They're beautiful.
Woot woot, cant wait to see them.

On one of my vivs I lined the sides and back with cork, and it worked out great! No mold issues and they do climb it on occasion.
The best part is that you can wedge branches horizontally, and they'll stay put. I used aquarium silicone to hold the cork panels in place. You have to let it air out for a few days before you can put animals back in.

Click to expand...

Couldnt have said it better myself

blubudgie said:

Is there another way I could stick them on? I don't really have a place to put him if I have to air it out for a few days. I definitely want to try it tho so I can do cool horizontal branches ooo:
Where did you get your cork?

Click to expand...

Silicone is a good way to stick them on. Also double sided adhevise sticker things work okay.

If you put some horizontal branches in and wedges them between the cork on either side you dont even need any adhesive.

blubudgie said:

Also is it normal to not see my chameleon eat or drink? I'm not home a lot but during the times I am I only see him hanging out at the top. I got him Wednesday, I have yet to see him eat or drink but I also can't find the crickets I put in. But they could be hiding.

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It is VERY uncommon to see pygmys eat or drink as they are very private creature. However if you give them space, you can probably see them eat from time to time. Drinking on the hand is alot harder, as ive only seen them drink a handful of times and I deal with ALOT of them

blubudgie said:

Okay thanks I'll look into getting some cork.

I don't see all the crickets but I do see like one or two occasionally running around. I usually put in up to five so should I just assume he is eating?

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As long as you feed him on a constant basis he will find his food, they are great hunters =]

Thanks!! I'll stop worrying now
Yeah I read about the shy part. I actually was trying to find maybe some "aquarium" background to stick to the outside of the glass (so I can still stick suction cups onto the glass but he can't see ppl moving around). Anyone know where I can get some? I've only found the one that sticks on the inside of the tank. I'm thinking cork on the sides and then some fake forest background sticker in the back.

I picked up two on Friday and have started to gather together the requirements for Bioactive soil. Springtails and wood lice arrived today. They would take care of any mould.