I have (had) two (a male and female) adult deremensis chameleons. Both have been looking sick for a few days now, no idea why. They're not eating, but they were drinking when I'd give them water. Last night the female was laying dead on the floor of the cage. No idea whats going on. The humidity and tempature is right (I live in central Texas). The male just sorta lays on a branch with his legs hanging over. Thoughts?
2 Chameleons, one just died, other is sick. :-(
- Thread starter SnakeHead
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
We obviously need the whole description of your setup, gutloading, dusting, lighting, (check the "how to ask for help" question list). We can't even begin to guess without that. Deremensis like it cool and humid...both of which may be hard to give them this time of year where you are. Did you get them together? Do they share the cage? Are they wc or cbb? If it isn't husbandry it could be something you inherited from the seller (improper husbandry, accumulated shipping stress, parasite bloom, contagious disease).
D
DavidBuchan
Guest
Here is the form to fill out when asking for help -
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful
Sorry...
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - deremensis, 1 male, 1 female (now deceased). Had them for 2-3 months.
Handling - Rarely handled.
Feeding - Crickets, dusted with calcium powder. Approximately 5 each per day.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium - ExoTerra every other time.
Watering - Drip system, and hand misting twice per day. Keep misting until they seem uninterested anymore (or my hand tires) Do you see your chameleon drinking? Yes
Fecal Description - Blackish/grey color. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No.
History - They've been fairly lively until recently when I was out of town. Someone else came in and watered/fed them for me.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Using one of those zippered screen cages, 3'x3'x2'.
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? I have one of those new bulbs hanging above the cage (about 8-10") that is both UVA & UVB. I usually leave the light on only during the day, but it was on entirely while I was away on vacation.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? My temp shows 85.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? 85 degrees and 80% humidity.
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? One ficus and 2 hibiscus.
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? On a table in my home office. Not high traffic.
Location - Austin, TX.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - deremensis, 1 male, 1 female (now deceased). Had them for 2-3 months.
Handling - Rarely handled.
Feeding - Crickets, dusted with calcium powder. Approximately 5 each per day.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium - ExoTerra every other time.
Watering - Drip system, and hand misting twice per day. Keep misting until they seem uninterested anymore (or my hand tires) Do you see your chameleon drinking? Yes
Fecal Description - Blackish/grey color. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No.
History - They've been fairly lively until recently when I was out of town. Someone else came in and watered/fed them for me.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Using one of those zippered screen cages, 3'x3'x2'.
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? I have one of those new bulbs hanging above the cage (about 8-10") that is both UVA & UVB. I usually leave the light on only during the day, but it was on entirely while I was away on vacation.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? My temp shows 85.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? 85 degrees and 80% humidity.
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? One ficus and 2 hibiscus.
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? On a table in my home office. Not high traffic.
Location - Austin, TX.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
allencg101
Member
were they wc chams if so this is very common. wc chams tend to have a hard time adjusting to captivity some don't this is common. if you want some try looking for a cb ch next time so there really is no need for adjustment for the little guys. sorry to hear about your lose
D
DavidBuchan
Guest
I've never kept deremensis myself but I can't see anything that would kill them, unless something happened while you were away? I would go to a vet asap, of course, maybe he can be saved...... good luck
Texas Panther Man
New Member
You left the lights on 24hrs a day while you were gone? Why couldnt you buy a cheap 10.00 timer from Wal mart? That may have played a part in pushing already stressed wc's over the proverbial cliff. That with inadaquate watering would def push them into dehydration mode. Deremensis are a montane cham tthey need cool temps and tons of water. Once acclimatted then they need fecals run and then meds administered to irradicate parasites. Sounds like you got in over your exp level.
Psi
New Member
Well, considering it's a mercury vapour bulb, there's a chance it would turn itself off every now and again due to the temperature, but regardless, 24/7 heat/uvb would seriously screw up their schedules.
I'm betting more then likely it was dehydration however, depending how long he was gone for it's hard to say.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Last edited:
D
DavidBuchan
Guest
Yeah, I obviously didn't read the reply properly.......24/7 heat and light is plain crazy...........12 hours on/ 12 hours off - it's the way forward.....
