Baby Veiled Likes Bottom of Cage

[samfish]

Hi,

I have a baby male veiled, about 2 months old, that I have had for 1 week.

Everything seems fine (he is alert with active eyes, has good feeding response when I put crickets in the cage, he goes to the bathroom daily and the urate is white)...

Temperature range is 78 towards bottom of cage, 85 near top. I have T5 UV light too.

The only thing I notice is, his favorite place to hang out is on a part of the stick about 1" above the ground. He sometimes walks around higher in the cage, but always comes to hang out, and sleeps, in the same spot very near the bottom of the cage (But not on the actual floor)...

Is this a problem? Or something wrong with my setup?

Thanks!
-sam

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi welcome to the forums
Can you answer these questions so we can better help you and your Cham. Also can you post some pics of your Cham and his enclosure.
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[samfish]

Hi,

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male Veiled, 2 months old, in my care 1 week
Handling - 2 times per day
Feeding - Crickets, he eats 10-12 1/4", or 6 1/2" crickets each day. Crickets are fed with vegetables like carrot, kale, etc.
Supplements - Calcium Plus at each feeding.
Watering - Misting / spraying 2x per day. I havent seen him drink. He seems to move/run around alot when misting/spraying the cage.
Fecal Description - Every Day 1 time, looks normal, urates white.
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No, CB
History - Eats every day.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen Cage, 18x18x36"
Lighting - 60W Heat, T5 UVB, on for 12 hours each day
Temperature - 78 at floor, 85 at top basking spot, measured using IR thermometer?
Humidity - Humidity 50-70%, misting 2-3 times a day
Plants - Only fake plants, vines, and sticks
Placement - Cage on a table, in corner of room. Minimum traffic in Room. About 2 feet above floor.
Location - Illinois

Current Problem - His favorite place to hang out is on a part of the stick about 1" above the ground. He sometimes walks around higher in the cage, but always comes to hang out, and sleeps, in the same spot very near the bottom of the cage (But not on the actual floor)...

Is this a problem? Or something wrong with my setup?

Thanks!
-sam

 

[JaxyGirl]

He might be too warm and is hanging out at the bottom of the cage to stay cool. Can you post some pics of your setup?

 

[JaxyGirl]

He might be too warm and is hanging out at the bottom of the cage to stay cool. Can you post some pics of your setup?

2mos old is still pretty young for a Cham and they don't require the same amount of heat as a juvenile or adult. I would try changing to a lower watt bulb such as a regular 25 or 40'watt incandescent bulb.

 

[samfish]

OK I will try this, and see if he is more comfortable moving towards the top of the setup...

Thanks!
-sam

 

[JaxyGirl]

Keep us posted