Advice for new chameleon owner with 3 month veiled?

[Eggimations]

So I just got my turquoise suburst veiled earlier today, and he is so cute! <3 I have him set up in a nice cage with a dripper, branches and fake rock walls to climb on. My only concern is that he's jumped right up to the bulb since he got here. I currently got a 50 W bulb, because my room is already pretty warm. I also have a 75 W if it gets cold. He seems in good health too. Oh, and just gobbled up a cricket that climbed up the ceiling of his cage Anyway, pictures of my amazing derpy:

and now the cage I made:

 

[LLLReptile]

I'd raise your basking spot up closer to the bulb, especially since he is climbing up to the wire right under the light. When they try to get super close like that, it's usually a sign that the basking spot you've tried to create isn't warm enough. For a young veiled like that, you can use some simple vines as basking perches until you can get some more wood branches to put underneath.

-Jen

 

[Eggimations]

Much obliged, I'll set something up right away He also just ate another cricket, so he has a good apetite!

 

[jannb]

Congrats on your new veiled. I just love veileds. They are one of my favorite species. I recommend moving the basking light up off the top of the enclosure. You don't want him to get to close or he could get a burn. I'm attaching my blog for new keepers below. Hopefully it will help you to keep your new little one healthy and happy.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[Eggimations]

Thanks for the info! The basking light is suspended up about 2-3 inches from the wire, so no worries bout him burning, I made sure of that. Does anyone know how to get him off the wire? He always puffs up when I come close so I'm just leaving him alone now, but I wanna make sure he doesn't stay up there too long

 

[qdude46]

I think he may just want to climb because your cage is a bit bare so just add a Pothos and or an umbrella plant/ficus to give him so walkways.

 

[Eggimations]

Any idea where I could get those? They sound exotic O-o

 

[Thegreatfonz]

You can get him off the wire by adding some plants and vines. Your cage is very bare go check out the show off your enclosure thread

 

[jannb]

I think he may just want to climb because your cage is a bit bare so just add a Pothos and or an umbrella plant/ficus to give him so walkways.

I agree. You do need more branches and vines. If you are in the US try Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Kath44]

Congrats on ur Cham. Is that bowl of water at bottom? You may want to get rid if so. Charms don't drink out of bowls and it can breed bacteria from what I've learned here.
Kath.

 

[Eggimations]

Not a bowl, it's to catch water from the dripper.

 

[jannb]

Not a bowl, it's to catch water from the dripper.

I'd put a screen cover over it. Your little cham could drown in it.

 

[APBMM veil charm]

Hi, congrads on your new cham . I too have a 2-3 month old veiled . Like everyone has mention you should add much more foliage and vines for him to climb on . Does your enclosure have any ventilation ?

 

[ridgebax1]

I agree, you need to add more foliage and vines or branches for him to climb/hide on. If you add a large live plant such as a ficus or schefflera you could direct the water dripper so it lands on the plant and goes down into the dirt in the pot, rather than have it going into that dish. Even though you have it there to catch water, the cham will most likely use it as a toilet and could like already mentioned drown if it fell in. Also if you do add a live plant you will need to cover the dirt in the pot with some river rock so the cham cannot accidently ingest dirt as that could cause an impaction.

 

[windex]

The enclosure looks to be a screen enclosure with the sides and back covered, so there should be all kinds of ventilation, definitely need more green in there though, a few of those fake vines wouldn't hurt either.. I agree with the previous posts about getting a perch closer to the heat light for basking and get a thermometer on it so you can get a reading.. My panther is about 8 months (I think) and he still likes to climb all over the ceiling.. Young cams will do that.. As long as the light is away from the screen He should be alright.

 

[Big Gulp]

You can find a pothos at walmarts even.

Also, when choosing vines/branches, make sure they're thin enough for your little guys feet to grab onto. You can get dowels like these in the pic at Home Depot, or any store like that.

Place a bunch going in different angles...horizontal and vertical.

 

[Big Gulp]

Also, make sure you're misting plenty. And you need something like leaves that'll collect water droplets for him to drink from.

 

[melble68]

"More Cowbell", I mean more plants, and then more plants, and then more plants. Give that little guy some places to hide. And yep, more vines.

 

[Eggimations]

Thanks for the advice! Heading down to my local petshop to get more plants, vines and stuff for my little cham!

 

[qdude46]

Hit homedepot or lowes, you get way more plants for what you pay.