A cuple quick questions

[yahyah]

Hi All, I am a new chameleon parent, I just bought my first veiled last night. I was wondering what you think the best live plant is for my young guy. I have heard conflicting info about ficuses. Also I have the ZooMate brand Naturalist terrarium and was wondering if anyone new of a mesh type enclosure to add to the top to make it taller for him? Thanks!

 

[VeiledChams]

Fill out the how to ask for help form in the health clinic section. From those questions it sounds like you're using a glass terrarium. Im not saying its bad, but its better to know the rest of your husbandry just to make sure that the cham will be okay.

As far as the plants go, get a schefflera. IMO, 100x better than a ficus because they are much easier to take care off and resist a lot more than the ficus.

 

[KatiLemons]

Well I'm assuming that you bought your cham from a pet store that "reccommended" that you purchase the terrarium. Well your gonna need to return it. Chameleons (unless pygmies) need to be in a screen cage. Glass Terrariums usually produce lots of bacteria because of the high humidty that chams need! Fill this out.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

what kind of supplements did you buy and what kind of lights also?

 

[VeiledChams]

Well I'm assuming that you bought your cham from a pet store that "reccommended" that you purchase the terrarium. Well your gonna need to return it. Chameleons (unless pygmies) need to be in a screen cage. Glass Terrariums usually produce lots of bacteria because of the high humidty that chams need! Fill this out.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

what kind of supplements did you buy and what kind of lights also?

Terrariums are NOT bad when you know how to use them. I know kinyonga has used terrariums for 20+ years to successfully keep and breed chameleons. Also, Chris Anderson has terrariums. Double check before posting such things.

 

[KatiLemons]

Terrariums are NOT bad when you know how to use them. I know kinyonga has used terrariums for 20+ years to successfully keep and breed chameleons. Also, Chris Anderson has terrariums. Double check before posting such things.

The difference between kinyonga and Chris is that they are experts. This guy obviously isn't. No offense yahyah Not that being a noob is a bad thing cause everyone has to start somewhere!

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hi All, I am a new chameleon parent, I just bought my first veiled last night. I was wondering what you think the best live plant is for my young guy. I have heard conflicting info about ficuses.

Welcome to the world of chameleon keeping!

I personally like Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Very tolerant, easy care plant.

Schefflera arboricola / dwarf schefflera, hawaiian umbrella are also popular.

If you have a grow light, good drainage and a green thumb, hibiscus is excellent.

Fiscus are okay so long as the chameleon isnt a brute that breaks a lot of branches and eats a lot of leaves, just because the white sap can be a little irritating to skin and eyes. This plant doesnt like change much either, and will drop leaves if moved a lot. But I have one in one of my cages and it does really well, that chameleon has never had an eye problem from it.

Here are some links to good info for new chameleon keepers:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...questions.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.chameleonsonline.com/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

Do you mean you have a ZooMED terrarium? Which one? These are usually FINE for young chameleons - you just have to watch the temperature and humidity levels carefully (as you would anyways). But instead of adding a mesh enclosure on top, you may just want to buy a new larger cage when the time comes.

 

[VeiledChams]

Doesnt matter.. you are still leading him to believe that all terrariums are bad, which is clearly not the case. Exo-terras were specially designed for ventilation. That is why they have the holes at the bottom, below the doors. The only problem they have is drainage, but with a little ingenuity it can be fixed.

The op doesnt seem to have an exo-terra as i dont believe they can be adjusted to put a screen thing on top. Its best to make sure of exactly what he has and do any such recommendations AFTER he states what he has.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

The biggest problem with glass terrariums is that they usually are not big enough for the bigger species of chameleons, and if they are big enough they're usually extremely heavy and expensive. If you're already concerned that it's not big enough now would probably be the best time to go ahead and return that one and get a more appropriate size cage, and screen is generally preferred because they come in big enough sizes and keep air circulating well. An adult veiled chameleon will need a cage at least 18x18x36" tall, and bigger would be better. The little glass terrariums are great for smaller species like pygmies, but not the best for the bigger species.

Kati and Veiled - arguing about trivial details doesn't help newbies feel welcome. Just answer their questions next time and duke it out in PMs.

 

[KatiLemons]

He stated that he had a zoomed naturalisitic terrarium. which does have holes at the bottom. And my comment was IMO..... especially for a noob. So lets just simmer down! Just because you don't agree with me doesnt mean that i am wrong either. Its again just a matter of OPINIONS.

 

[bigben2057]

The biggest problem with glass terrariums is that they usually are not big enough for the bigger species of chameleons, and if they are big enough they're usually extremely heavy and expensive. If you're already concerned that it's not big enough now would probably be the best time to go ahead and return that one and get a more appropriate size cage, and screen is generally preferred because they come in big enough sizes and keep air circulating well. An adult veiled chameleon will need a cage at least 18x18x36" tall, and bigger would be better. The little glass terrariums are great for smaller species like pygmies, but not the best for the bigger species.

Kati and Veiled - arguing about trivial details doesn't help newbies feel welcome. Just answer their questions next time and duke it out in PMs.

I agree glass terrariums are not made large enough for chameleons thats why not many people use them and if they are large enough they are expensive.

 

[yahyah]

Thanks, and no offense taken KatiLemons, I know I don’t know much yet, but am very willing and eager to learn so any help is greatly appreciated. I am a woman also, I noticed being refered to as he...

The terrarium is mostly glass but the top is screen and there is a screened vent type area in the lower front to allow for more air flow, it is the one recommended by the pet store I bought Pasquell from. The terrarium has climbing vines, and plastic plants for cover but I wanted to look into making it more natural for him which is why I wanted the live plants. I am using substrate which I have also found conflicting info about but was recommended by the store as well. I have been misting with a spray bottle of warm water. I have a Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb set to be on for 10hours/day, and a Zilla 75W night black heat bulb on as well. I am feeding small crickets 2-4pin head size crickets, and have ZooMed Repti Calcium powder for them. This is all what was recommended I buy, but I am sure I don’t have everything and am planning a trip back to the store in a little while so any suggestions on what else I need to pick up?

Eventually my husband will be building me a custom cage for him that will be mostly screen, but I was told that the slightly smaller terrarium was better for him while he was small. I am eager to learn what would be best, I absolutely love this little guy already and I want him to have a full and healthy life.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

One of the first things that you will learn is that unfortunately pet stores steer you wrong about 90% of the time. Chameleons are pretty different from most other reptiles commonly available so the extrapolation doesn't work well for them. Unfortunately, the pet store told you a lot of wrong things already...

Smaller isn't bad since he's little now, but he'll grow out of it quickly. No need for a heat bulb at night at all unless your temps are dropping down into the 50s. Go ahead and ditch it because he doesn't need it and it will disturb him sleeping. You don't need substrate at all - it harbors bacteria and mold, lets feeders hide in it, and can be accidentally (or purposely) ingested by your cham and cause blockages. People have lost their chams to this.

How old/big is your chameleon now? He can probably eat crickets bigger than pinheads unless he's a hatchling. The rule is to feed bugs no longer than the width between your cham's eyes. You need to be gutloading your feeders with fresh fruits and veggies. The UVB bulb only lasts about 6 months - they stop emitting UVB after that time even when they're still shining. What are the temperatures in your cage? Be careful not to cook him since glass retains heat really well.

For dusting you need to use a calcium powder without D3 or phosphorus at every feeding. You also need a calcum with D3 (no phosphorus) and a multivitamin to use twice a month each. Having a custom screen cage will be great for him! Lots of people build their own. I built my first one, but bought the rest from diycages.com

You're heading in the right direction, feel free to ask more questions if you have them!

 

[Seeco]

He stated that he had a zoomed naturalisitic terrarium. which does have holes at the bottom. And my comment was IMO..... especially for a noob. So lets just simmer down! Just because you don't agree with me doesnt mean that i am wrong either. Its again just a matter of OPINIONS.

What? You totally started it!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

What? You totally started it!

not helping...

 

[okiroo]

not helping...

but i do agree.. hahahaha

 

[Seeco]

not helping...

Umm yeah it is helping. You do not need to be an expert to use a glass cage. You just need a low wattage heat lamp. Advising people to buy a new cage is expensive. This person did not say they wanted to buy a new cage, they want a new top and some plant advice so Kati was derailing the thread. Simple, and I really do not want to hear your response so save it.

 

[KatiLemons]

I very clearly said that she should RETURN the terrarium she bought for a screen cage! Which would also be much cheaper. I personally do believe that glass terrariums are gonna harbor a lot of bacteria AND cause reflections. This is MY OPINION. We are all entitled to believe what we want. That's why it is called a free country. Get over it.

@yahyah- I apologize for saying guy/him. And also I did come off quite abrasive and I'm sorry for that. Congrats on your new addition and as you can see a lot of opinions are thrown out to give you lots or options!! People usually aren't this argumentative on here! Lol.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Wow, who peed in seeco's cheerios? PM'ed me angrily and on here told me to "save it" for trying to keep the thread on track. Childish bickering isn't helping anyone here. What is derailing everything is people arguing over nothing...

 

[ataraxia]

to answer the question on plants. pathos or schefflera. ficus is fine also but they are a finicky plant.

if you just bought the cage. im going to agree with the post that said take it back.

the largest zoomed and exoterra glass enclosures will only only last a veiled for a short period of time. the op will end up spending double the amount versus a 2x2x4 screen right off the bat and dividing it with foamboard or anything of the like.

on a side note about expert keeping: i own and operate a local pet store. i give verbal advice and care sheets to everyone that buys from me. some still come back to me with problems. i will drive to the customers house and i have seen it all wrong, to just a few minor adjustments. glass requires a different way of keeping. with what faith i have in many new keepers.....for veileds i dont recommend it and never will.

 

[camimom]

Wow, who peed in seeco's cheerios? PM'ed me angrily and on here told me to "save it" for trying to keep the thread on track. Childish bickering isn't helping anyone here. What is derailing everything is people arguing over nothing...

I totally agree that this thread has been getting off track. The point of this thread was to help a new cham mommy, not argue over the usage of glass terrairums.
If you have something constructive to say, go for it, otherwise, stop typing.

At Yahyah- Congrats on your new cham purchase! I would suggest filling out the how to ask for help form, which can be found here at this link https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ so that any suggestions to your husbandry can be made.

I also have amale veield, about 7 months old, if you find some of my threads you can see waht he looks like.

Good Luck!