Baby Cham Setup

[Hakai]

Hey, I'm about to order a chameleon, preferably a baby, but I've read that the cage setup is slightly different than when older. My question is, how so? Materials I have include: 2'x2'x4' screen cage, 60 watt bulb, 5.0 UVB reptisun 18'' fluorescent tube, calcium supplement, a fake bendy twig from petco, some non toxic/pesticide-free foliage, spray bottle, maybe some other things. Anyways I think the main thing for babies is the light/UVB exposure? That sounds really important for their skin and vitamins and stuff and I wanna make sure I'm treating the baby the right way. Any advice? THIS WILL BE MY FIRST CHAM. Feel free to tell me to start with a juvenille or older, you won't offend me if you feel I am not ready. I would not want to hurt and certainly not kill one of these beautiful creatures.

 

[carol5208]

I would not put a baby into a 2 X 2 X 4 ft but a juvi yes. I just got a 3 month old and honestly I worry about him finding his food in the 30 X 16 X 16 he is in. Alot of the crickets go down into the plant. They do come up to the top by the heat light though after awhile. You can cup feed, but if they don't take to it, the feeders can hide in things and the supplement you dust with can wear off. So far this little guy does not cup feed and I am hoping he will start! Good luck with becoming a chameleon owner!!!

 

[Hakai]

Thanks for the advice! But do I still have the same amount of UVB/heat exposure. I think I read somewhere that the amount is supposed to be more or less than when dealing with juv/sub-adult chameleons?

 

[carol5208]

same uvb for babies, juvies, adults. Basking temps will vary for age. I have my baby panther at about 87-88 degrees and the adult at about 95. Most people bask the baby veilds at around 80 and the adults around 90. Basically if you see your chameleon gaping(mouth open) every time they bask, then your temp is more than likely too high. You can adjust that by trying different wattages of white housebulbs(you do not need a fancy basking light)

 

[Hakai]

Alright, thanks again. I'm not entirely sure how this forum works so feel free to refer me to any previous threads if I repeat any questions. (I have already taken a look at the "Frequently Asked Questions" section)

 

[jannb]

If your cage is too large a young Cham will not be able to get his food and most babies that you buy are not already cup feeding. I gave to the link to my blog for new keepers in your other thread. I keep chameleons cooler. I keep babies in the low 80's and adult veileds in the high 80's and adult panthers in the mid 80's. We were recently in Maddy and never once saw a Cham basking in the sun and we were out looking for them all times of the day. They were always in the shade of the trees/bushes where it was cool. I only put my guys in the direct sun eary in the morning for about and hour and then move them to the shade but since I went to Maddy I'm wondering if maybe even this hour might be too much. We got up really early one morning, at sunrise and went out Cham hunting and still not one Cham was out for morning sun.

 

[Hakai]

Wow that's very interesting. I might have to re-think the placement of the cage in my room. Or I guess I could just close the blinds(to avoid the need to cover the newly painted tree on my wall). If I don't want to purchase a new cage, would it be acceptable to maybe slide some divider horizontally like halfway in the cage? If not I will defiantly look into a smaller cage, they are relatively cheap.

 

[jannb]

Wow that's very interesting. I might have to re-think the placement of the cage in my room. Or I guess I could just close the blinds(to avoid the need to cover the newly painted tree on my wall). If I don't want to purchase a new cage, would it be acceptable to maybe slide some divider horizontally like halfway in the cage? If not I will defiantly look into a smaller cage, they are relatively cheap.

You might be able to raise the bottom in the cage.

 

[Hakai]

Ok, I'll experiment with that and if that fails, I'll just get a smaller cage. Thanks for the advice!

 

[shaunaroxanne]

You can go to Lowes or Home Depot and get a piece of Coroplast. It is like cardboard, but it is made out of plastic. You can cut a piece and use it to divide your cage either horizontally or vertically. I use it in my screen cages and it works perfectly

 

[Hakai]

Awesome! That's a perfect solution. Thanks for saving me a few bucks! ;P