2 month old ambilobe not eating enough

[fluxlizard]

If it's just a matter of finding his food- just go to walmart and buy him a storage tub for $7 and set him up in that for a month or so while he grows. Back in the day I raised quite a few in storage tubs and notice a lot raise babies like that still here on the forums... Just leave the lid off and make sure he can't climb out (keep your sticks lower down in the tub).

 

[nj011908]

You don't think a red solo cup is too deep for a 2 month old to eat from? He already has to lean inside the glass cup to catch the cricks. I want him to be able to reach them. I guess I could cut a little off the top though. Any reason it needs to be red?

no, but its a easy to spot thing once they know food is in it. and no it is not to deep they can shoot almost the length of there bodies! i hope your little guy doesn't have parasites, i saw a few episodes of monsters inside me and scared the crap out of me... just want your little guy to make it, he seems a little young to be away from his breeder and the clutch where they are all kinda learning survival together ... BTW sorry for the late reply, super busy today.

 

[FrankTheTank]

If it's just a matter of finding his food- just go to walmart and buy him a storage tub for $7 and set him up in that for a month or so while he grows. Back in the day I raised quite a few in storage tubs and notice a lot raise babies like that still here on the forums... Just leave the lid off and make sure he can't climb out (keep your sticks lower down in the tub).

You wouldn't happen to have a picture of the setup you're suggesting do you? Do I leave him in there till he gets bigger? Or only for feeding. Not sure how I would attach his UVB lights if you're suggesting long term. Thanks!

Trent

 

[FrankTheTank]

Is this suitable? I'm adding more vines. They are in the oven as I'm typing. I'm guessing this is what you meant. Just let me know if I need to do anything else

 

[fluxlizard]

Looks good to me.
Keep him in there for a month or so and let him grow.

Rinse the plastic first.

Make sure he can't climb out by keeping your furnishings low. If you want to be absolutely sure- get a utility knife, cut the center out of the lid, take a piece of screen and a hot glue gun and glue the screen to the outside of the lid, along the edge of the cut. To make a nice looking finish- trim the screen so it is a close fit and glue slowly and evenly all over the edge of the screen so no fray is exposed.

Supply water by misting lightly a few times a day. Keep in mind a solid floor will accumulate puddles easily, so mist lightly and go a little bit at a time so you don't drown wandering feeders.

A pinch of insect food and/or a tiny bit of fruit can be left in a location that is conveniently accessed by the chameleon. Stray insects will be attracted and the chameleon will learn to find them there.

 

[fluxlizard]

I was trying to find pics for you- I don't have any handy myself, but I know i've seen others on here recently. Jannb- maybe? Someone had some in tubs on what looked like her living room table?

Seems like someone was on here a week or two ago also with pics of babies in tubs using rubber coated hardware cloth as climbing furniture, and someone else had made an erector set out of chopsticks for them to climb on.

It looks like you've got the idea anyway though.

Just FYI- the clear tubs are a bit smoother so small insects don't "stick" so well to the sides and more light goes in. I've used both types though.

Also- as a general rule, I'm fairly spartan with furnishings until hatchlings are able to eat 1/2 to 3/4" crickets or so. Pre that size, I don't give them a lot of cover, but I do give them lots of branches so they can move freely and thermoregulate well... Leaves and such at that size are mostly at least in my setups for accumulating mist for the babies to drink off of. Too many encourages prey items to hide making it more difficult for the babies to hunt and creates possible turning of the tables at night when hidden crickets may emerge and attack babies and encourages the chameleon to be timid as well.

That is not my philosophy for adults- I like plenty of vegetation in adult enclosures.

 

[fluxlizard]

Ah here it is- When I saw them I thought these were nice pics of tub setups put up by jannb:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/babies-one-month-old-40584/

 

[FrankTheTank]

Thanks for all the help flux. I think he has already eaten a couple since being in there. I hope this will help him out. I hate to stress him out so much moving him around but I know it's for the best. Thanks again!

 

[fluxlizard]

Ah excellent. Good luck!

 

[FrankTheTank]

I can't tell how many he has eaten but there doesn't look like there are many cricks left and I put in about a dozen or so. And he looks a little fatter today! So I'm pretty sure this is going to turn out great for my little guy