Baby Veiled AID for beginner!

[chamis]

Hey pals! I am brand new to these forums and I've found some very interesting stuff while researching before buying my new baby. So, yesterday I got a 2 month old male Veiled and I like to know if I am doing things right... So here goes the thing. I already bought most of my supplies and am about to finish this little guy's home so for the meantime I am keeping him in a shoe box. (I know it is the worst idea) but as soon as I am done I will transfer him into his new home. I would just like to know what settings are the best for this kid.

This is where I am keeping him right now, and I've tried feeding him crickets even though he doesn't seem to want to eat anything... Today I gave him a couple of worms and one of these was gone so I suppose he finally ate one of them. :3 Could you guys give me any advice and support for my new baby chami?

and this is his in-progress home

 

[kinyonga]

He needs branches to climb on of a size his feet can grip and a UVB light.

Although he can survive in a box for a few days it's not a very good place to keep him at all.

What is the temperature in there? If he's not warm enough he won't likely eat much and if he's too hot he will dehydrate.

Do you know about feeding / gutloading insects and supplements to dust the insects with? Insects need to be an appropriate size too.

 

[sharp229]

Pictures aren't loading for me. Have you read the veiled FAQ from this forum?

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Also, it would help if you could copy and paste this form and fill in the answers:

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

 

[chamis]

yep! I actally have been misting him several times today. I do also have him on both UVB and basking lights so I think he's fine with that. Although my concern is, at night temperatures naturally drop in my room, and it gets kind of cold. Should I leave the basking light on? Or is he good on nothing until the morning? Temps. range from 70-90 when the basking light is on and humidity thermometer marks green which I can guess is a good sign! Tomorrow I'll be finishing his shelter and buying some more plants he can tangle to. About the dusting, I did get him some powder at petsmart with d3 which I guess has to be done once every week if I am not mistaken? So far he seems to be very fine though, he is active during the day even though the poor thing doesn't have too much space to have any activity, but that's soon to change.

 

[chamis]

Thanks! I've actually checked the FAQ's section already, seemed very helpful so far! Here are my chami's specs as well.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - 2months Veiled male I've had it for 2 days.
Handling - Once a day even though I try doing it the least possible.
Feeding - I believe they're mealworms (the smallest kind) two a day every evening no gut loading yet, any recommendations?
Supplements - Zoo Med Repti-calcuim with D3
Watering - I use misting from an atomizer, I do it perhaps 6-10 times a day... honestly every time I have a chance. I haven't seen my chami drink any yet but I haven't had a chance to do so.
Fecal Description - Hmmm, how is this supposed to look like?
History - n.a

Cage Info:
Cage Type - As of right now, I am using a shoe box but for tomorrow I'll be finishing building a wooden screen cage that's pretty big in size... (idk about dimensions that much, but it is as big as the one they had him in the pet store)
Lighting - UVB and Basking light.
Temperature - No range of temperatures yet. Lowest overnight temp?... seems on 70 as of right now (1:14 am) These temps are measured with a thermometer bought at petsmart.
Humidity - Humidity levels range between 50 and 70 (as of right now) I use misting to keep these levels. Using same thermometer/humidity thermometer? (it's dual)
Plants - no plants yet, just a few branches. reccomendations?
Placement - Where is your cage located? my room Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? nope, not really, we do not turn on the A/C or fans during this season. At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? not yet specified.
Location - Where are you geographically located? Texas Southwestern part. Dry weather.

Current Problem - Just need tips on husbandry

 

[kinyonga]

90F is too hot for such a young chameleon....low 80's is better. Night temperatures can go down to the high 60's F...and he should not have any lights on during the night.

Re supplements...since most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous its important to dust the insects before almost every feeding to make up for it. Mealworms are not a great food for them. See if you can get small crickets, small silkworms, etc.

It is recommended that you dust twice a month with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A. PrOformed sources cannot build up in the system and lead to overdoses like prEformed sources can. This leaves you in control of the prEformed vitamin a.

It's also recommended that you dust twice a month with a phosphorous - free calcium D3 powder to ensure that the chameleon produce some D3 without overdosing it and leaving the chameleon to produce the rest from its exposure to the UVB. D3 from supplements can build up in the system and lead to overdoses.

For good bone health its important that the phosphorous, D3, vitamin A and calcium are in balance.

It's important to feed / gutload the insects properly with a wide assortment of greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, kale, etc and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

Hope you get your chameleon set up quickly.
Btw...its also recommended that you use no substrate. Many substrates can lead to impaction if ingested.