Brand New Baby Veiled

[CWeb]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, Male, 2-3weeks old. we've had him for 2 days
Handling - for only a few minutes everyday, trying to place him near food.
Feeding - D. Hydei flightless fruit flies, small crickets, trying everyday. Feeder- gel cube they come with and Fluker's and ReptoLife plus.
Supplements - Fluker's High Calcium cricket diet and ReptoLife plus. a little bit of new stuff every day.
Watering - Misting 2-3 times a day, no.
Fecal Description - haven't seen any poop, not tested.
History - We got him from a guy who has successful raised many clutches.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screened every where but back and bottom. it's 24x15x24.
Lighting - Repti-Glo 10.0 Florescent, and "All Living Things" 100watt UVB incandescent for basking. 6am-9pm
Temperature - 75-82: general tank, 90-95: basking. 45-50 overnight. circular analog stick on thermometer
Humidity - 75-80% higher after misting, 2-3 times a day. circular analog stick on hydrometer.
Plants - Yes, an assortment i got from the pet store, that were confirmed ok for being put with reptiles
Placement - It in my bedroom, low traffic, on the side of the room, away from windows and vents.
Location - Springville, Utah, USA

Current Problem - We have yet to see him eat or drink. he moves very little trough out the day and his eyes are closed almost always. we have tried placing him near free roaming food and cup feeding, he watches sometimes but after an hour still hasn't made a move. we haven't seen a poop to tell if maybe he ate while we were not watching. We've never had one this small before, so idk if we are over reacting or doing something wrong. Like i said we've only had him for 2 days and he's very little.

 

[ataraxia]

personally from the pics im just going off my gut. if you have a sterilite tote laying around or a 10 gallon tank id set one up for the baby. temps need to be around high 80's - 90* (you will have to get a lower wattage). try to keep the humidity around 70-80. this will be much easier in a either container mentioned above. put lots of vines and live plants if you can.

I personally think he is not getting enough humidity, hydration and temps are to hot at this point.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum most people use a 5.0 uv tube, maybe the light is too strong for him? I think the temps are too high as well. Also a 12 hour day is more usual. Here is a very good caresheet for Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[mullberrysdream]

I got a new veiled boy in september when he was two weeks old, and didn't see him eat for the first few days. same thing happened last year with my friend and his baby girl veiled. It might just take him a few days to get adjusted to his new surroundings.

I have still been having problems getting my little guy to eat enough, but it's a lot better than it was initially. Make sure you have crickets that are small enough for him, as I did not because I was unaware as to how tiny they needed to be, and I think that is why eating has been more of a struggle for Mulberry.

 

[mbprime]

It might be his temperatures and lighting, I would recommend using a 5.0UVB bulb, many on here would recommend ReptiSun as the best brand to purchase and to stay away from any compact bulbs for UVB. Also, 100W seems exceedingly too hot for a baby chameleon. I would say 40W incadescent house bulb would be perfect, 60W max. A baby's basking temp should be around 85-88, and at night anything below 65 should be a concern. I would recommend getting a ceramic heater for night use, or even one of those heat pads designed for reptiles.

You should try and find some digitial thermometers/hygrometers to measure your temps and humidity too. Sometimes the analog ones are not always reliable. But I would say that 100W bulb is too intense for such a small chameleon. I dont even know if too many adult chams, even Veileds would want such an intense heat source.

Link for lights - http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/heat-bulbs-night-heat-bulbs-ceramic-bulbs/
Link for UVB - http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/

The supplements you use should also not be designed for the crickets for the reptile himself. You want to use Calcium w/o D3 every day, Calcium with D3 and a Multivitamin twice a month. There are lots of different brands out there that many would recommend. I use Minerall Outdoor for my Calcium w/o D3, Rep-Cal and Herptivite for my other two. There is also a product offered by one of the site sponsors Allen Rephashy that is an all-in-one formula that you use daily to avoid having to worry about the rest of the dusting requirements.

Link for Supplements - http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...d-cage-cleaners/reptile-calcium-and-vitamins/

Also with the feeder insects I would recommend using fresh fruit/veggies as gutload, or purchase a commercial gutload from one of our sponsors that cater towards chameleons. You to have to remember, what they eat your chameleon eats. Though I know that is at the back of your mind since you just want your lil guy to eat.

I would also refrain from handling him too much for at least the first week/two weeks until he becomes comfortable in his environment. A move like that can be stressful. I am not saying that all chams dont like being handled, my last one seemed to enjoy it quite a bit but my new one would be happier if I died.

I hope that helps, I am sure more senior members will come by and offer their opinions as well. Best of luck and keep us updated.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

You said a 10 watt UVB and a UVB incandescent? Two UVB's? 90-95 is a bit much, the usual temp for a baby is 85ish. You can gutload the feeders with fresh fruits and veggies, for the water I put a stuffed paper towel in the bowl soaked with water, so they won't drown. Suppliment schedule is usually calcium without d3 everyday, calcium with d3 2x a month, and multivitamins 2x a month. You're doing good so far.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Also can you give us the names of the plants? Some can be good for most reptiles but not chameleons.

 

[Miss Lily]

Babies should be kept in the very low 80's at the hottest spot. Babies are unable to thermoregulate like adult chams and can easily overheat and become dehydrated (which also affects their appetite). Read up on JannB's blog about raising babies. Most babies don't get sold until they are at least 3 months old and well established with feeding, pooping and shedding. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/325-info-new-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[CWeb]

Thanks, keep giving advise.

I'm going to go out and get a 5.0 florescent and a lighter wattage basking UVB basking bulb. I'll make sure and get some good calcium d3 supplements as well.

i also noticed a poop where he has been basking today, it's very small and a little red, which makes me nervous. but since there is poop, does that mean maybe he has eaten some?

i'll post pictures of the enclosure and of the live plants, i don't know the names, i'll find out when i go to the pet store.

please please please continue to give me feed back. thanks.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

You don't need a UVB basking bulb. The 5.0 is UVB. Get a normal basking light.

 

[CWeb]

oh ok. No UVB bulb, just a regular lower wattage basking bulb.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Yes, the 5.0 reptisun is what you should buy, ALONG with a regular basking bulb.

 

[ataraxia]

buy a 40-60 watt regular house bulb. the nearest branch under this bulb should read high 80's-90*. Your little guy is getting way to hot with the 100 watt.

Also i would suggest buying some more live plants and vines. he needs to feel as secure as he can to acclimate.

 

[lindawaz]

I never had a Cham that small and on small feeders. Asking the experienced ones, with that size cage can the baby find the food? or is that why you are suggesting the smaller tub too?

 

[CWeb]

new lights

So I've bought the 5.0 repti-glo light linear light, i also got a 50 watt basking light. the temp has dropped to like 70-75 degrees. He's still very lethargic and has moved like 3 inches in the last 4 hours and i've not seen his eyes open.

So i guess just wait?

 

[SilverDragoness]

Have you tried fruit flies? Really it's not about waiting because reptiles can hide illness until they are on deaths door. I would consider calling around and finding a reptile vet. Worst that could happen is that you have someone that you know about for the next emergency.