Hi All,
firstly i am new to the world of owning a chameleon and was after some advice. before purchasing it i did alot of research into habitat etc so i could understand what i was getting myself into. i have kept turtles/tortoises historically so my general experience with reptiles is decent.
today i have found him hiding in a quite heavily densed fake plant with his eyes closed(this is where he sleeps at night) - i am unsure if he is sleeping but i am concerned as i thought that chameleons only slept at night. i prompted him to come out of the plant. he then walked around his enclosure opening his mouth several times (almost like he was yawning and once with his tongue clearly on view) he did this for around 15 to 20 minutes and then returned to the plant and closed his eyes for a minute or so.he has since been awake but remained in the shade under his plant. the first time he turned a slightly darker shade of green and the second time he remained his usual pale green colour. he is eating well but i am yet to see him drink. it is the only time since having him i have witnessed him sleeping in the day.Below is the "how to ask for help" information.
Chameleon: i purchased my Chameleon just 1 week ago, he is a male Senegal and approximately 5 months old. i have handled him twice since owning (once to transport him to his new home) i understand chameleons would prefer not to be held but the shop which sold him too me seem to believe he quite enjoys the experience? he certainly doesnt like being put back into his home. however, handling is something i dont intend to make a very common occurance. i have been feeding him 3 medium locusts daily in the early evening. they are dusted in diluted nutrobal 200mg calcium & 150IU D3. the locusts are fed lettuce daily. I have a dripper positioned above a live plant, i also have a waterfall and mist the enclosure twice per day (for approx 1 minute). He was bred in captivity so there are no parasites, its droppings appear to be brown with also some white liquid like substance.
Cage info: It is a wooden vivarium with 4 air vents and a glass sliding front door. the dimenstions are 24(w)x18(d)x30(h). I am using using an "15W Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Reptile Lamp" Linear bulb and a GE 60w Spot R80 controlled by a HabiStat Thermostat. The day temperatures are approx 86F and the night is appox 70F. Humidity ranges between 60 - 90% and is measured by a digital hygrometer. The Viv is located in a quiet corner of a room and stands approx 5ft (top of viv) off the floor. i am located in birmingham, england.
i suppose this would also be a good opportunity to ask if there is anything else i need to be doing and if the equipment i use is ok (i was sold it as a set by a reptile/chameleon specialist)
thankyou for taking the time to read and respond
firstly i am new to the world of owning a chameleon and was after some advice. before purchasing it i did alot of research into habitat etc so i could understand what i was getting myself into. i have kept turtles/tortoises historically so my general experience with reptiles is decent.
today i have found him hiding in a quite heavily densed fake plant with his eyes closed(this is where he sleeps at night) - i am unsure if he is sleeping but i am concerned as i thought that chameleons only slept at night. i prompted him to come out of the plant. he then walked around his enclosure opening his mouth several times (almost like he was yawning and once with his tongue clearly on view) he did this for around 15 to 20 minutes and then returned to the plant and closed his eyes for a minute or so.he has since been awake but remained in the shade under his plant. the first time he turned a slightly darker shade of green and the second time he remained his usual pale green colour. he is eating well but i am yet to see him drink. it is the only time since having him i have witnessed him sleeping in the day.Below is the "how to ask for help" information.
Chameleon: i purchased my Chameleon just 1 week ago, he is a male Senegal and approximately 5 months old. i have handled him twice since owning (once to transport him to his new home) i understand chameleons would prefer not to be held but the shop which sold him too me seem to believe he quite enjoys the experience? he certainly doesnt like being put back into his home. however, handling is something i dont intend to make a very common occurance. i have been feeding him 3 medium locusts daily in the early evening. they are dusted in diluted nutrobal 200mg calcium & 150IU D3. the locusts are fed lettuce daily. I have a dripper positioned above a live plant, i also have a waterfall and mist the enclosure twice per day (for approx 1 minute). He was bred in captivity so there are no parasites, its droppings appear to be brown with also some white liquid like substance.
Cage info: It is a wooden vivarium with 4 air vents and a glass sliding front door. the dimenstions are 24(w)x18(d)x30(h). I am using using an "15W Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Reptile Lamp" Linear bulb and a GE 60w Spot R80 controlled by a HabiStat Thermostat. The day temperatures are approx 86F and the night is appox 70F. Humidity ranges between 60 - 90% and is measured by a digital hygrometer. The Viv is located in a quiet corner of a room and stands approx 5ft (top of viv) off the floor. i am located in birmingham, england.
i suppose this would also be a good opportunity to ask if there is anything else i need to be doing and if the equipment i use is ok (i was sold it as a set by a reptile/chameleon specialist)
thankyou for taking the time to read and respond
