Camilla - Opinions on health

[Djturna4thakidz]

Here is a picture of my 7.5 month old ambilobe female Camilla. I am pretty new to chameleon husbandry so I wanted to post a pick and ask what you all think in regards to general health. To me, in this picture she looks thin but she eats the recommended amount of 10-15 crickets (0.5-0.75 inch) a day. If you guys concur, that she needs to fatten up, I can increase the amount I am feeding. Other than that she is very healthy. Her urates are always white and she always eats. She is active and I see her drinking frequently. She is such a wonderful pet and family member, I want to keep her as healthy as possible. Let me know any comments, tips or suggestions.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Sorry for the sideways pic, that was my first attachment lol

 

[camimom]

Welcome!

what do you keep her in?
what lighting do you use?
do you have a lay bin set up for her?
what supplements do you use?
How often do you mist her?

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I currently have her in a medium reptibreeze screen cage (16"x16"x30"). This is the cage I have had her in since she came as a baby. I am going to put her in her new adult cage (24"x24"x48" from lllreptile) this weekend once I finish making the stand.

I have a 50 watt heat bulb for her basking spot, which runs between 85 and 87 degrees. I also have a 24" reptisun fluorescent UVB running across the top of the cage, it is approx 8 inches from her basking area and the nearest perch. The temps range from 72-74 in the shade to 85-90 on a hot day in the basking area, but usually 85-87.

I do not have a lay bin, I was going to add one in her new viv. I know she is at the age where she can produce eggs but I have not observed any of the behavior that go along with it, darkening of the color or wondering around on the bottom. I also thought you noticed their belly get larger and more firm, I amy be wrong tho. But I am goign to get it in there.

I give Calcium w/o D3 every feeding, I take off a day every other week. I then give Calcium with D3 and Herpevite 2 times a month each.

She has a drip all day and I mist minimum of twice a day for 3-5 minutes, but more like 4 times a day usually. She is frequently seen drinking or shooting her tongue at the water droplets. Her urates have always been white.

 

[camimom]

Everything sounds great.

Though I wuold lower her basking temp some.

By reducing the max temp to around 83, you can lower her egg production rate and potentially even halt it.

They dont always change colors and wander around.

So its best to keep a lay bin in her cage at all times, just in case.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

So you think she looks good for her age?

What type of tray shoud I get (size, depth)?

I should put damp sand in it correct?

 

[camimom]

Maybe alittle skinny. but she could also be sucking it in. they do that.

Get a bucket that is at least 12 inches deep.

you can use wash play sand, or top soil.

I use top soil and my girl laid 38 perfect little baby cham eggs.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

So just set the buck on the floor in the enclosure?

Thats a big bucket, they really need it to be that deep? will she burrow way down in it?

Can she get into it if it is that big?

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Do you maybe have a pick of your enclosure with the bucket in it? just trying to wrap my head around this, I was imagining a small 2 inch deep tupperware tray.

 

[camimom]

So just set the buck on the floor in the enclosure?

Thats a big bucket, they really need it to be that deep? will she burrow way down in it?

Can she get into it if it is that big?

Yes.

What you need to do is put the bucket in the cage.

put a stick in it, that she can reach from her plants.

shell climb down the stick when shes ready to lay.

yes it really does have to be that deep.

My female dug 3 holes, got bored with the first two, and when she finally laid (3 days after starting to dig) she buried her eggs almost 10 inches down.

I had to dump the whole bucket to dig the eggs up.

It has to be big, to give them space to find the perfect spot.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

what diameter of bucket did you use? a foot, two feet?

 

[camimom]

what diameter of bucket did you use? a foot, two feet?

a foot.