Can't get my baby Veiled to eat.

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Veiled, 2-3mnths (?) was told male, two days.
Handling - Often, he doesn't seem to mind it only hissed once and that was when I tried to wipe off calcium excess on his nose.
Feeding - He wont eat, tried feeding both at night and in the morning. Small crickets.
Supplements - Bought only one supplement for the time being, Rep Cal calcium no D3
Watering - Dripper system, and misting twice a day.
Fecal Description - Mainly black, small bit of white. <- (Curious to know what the 'healthy' color is)
History - Only know the pet store free-range fed and had him in a glass enclosure.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Screen, 2 X 2 X 2. (temporary)
Lighting - Reptisun linear 5.0 on 6:00am off 6:00pm (best for my schedule for now till I can buy a timer)
Temperature - I haven put the tempature gauges in yet but the room is at 76 constantly and the basking lamp is on with the uvb.
Humidity - Misting 2+ a day, thinking of adding plastic to a side of the cage to help with humidity, humidity gauge isn't in yet.
Plants - Pathos vine for now, hope to add hibiscus once I figure out how to handle his adult cage. The Pathos is a large one, vines tied all over the cage so he can climb.
Placement - Cage stands 4 1/2 feet high at the top of the cage, in my room only I come in. Away from vent and covered at night partially due to fan.
Location - Tucson Arizona


Current Problem - As of now just worried that he wont eat and is moving sluggishly, also his scales seem very dry. I've tried to cup feed him atleast 6 times, wondering if theres any tips for that. Even placed him in the cricket cage on top of a large rock so he can perch. He didn't seem interested till they started to climb on him then freaked out. I can't place the crickets in the cage because they will slip through the screen. Its been 2 days not eating, today will be 3.

 

[DavidBuchan]

He has eaten nothing at all? Firstly, don't worry. A few days to settle in is normal (I said this before I think ). Don't handle him often (I know it's hard because he's so sweet but he'll settle in quicker if you don't disturb him).
A healthy poop will be mainly brown/black with a little white. If the white looks yellowish or orange that would indicate dehydration. Try a large plastic box to hold the crickets (leave it in with him and go away!). If his scales seem dry then maybe he is about to shed - this could also be why he is not feeling hungry. A day or two before shed they often lose appetite. All good chameleon keepers worry too much, this bodes well for you - Hope this helps, keep us updated

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

He won't eat still, about to turn off his lights as its been 12 hours. Worried that he wont eat tomorrow either. Theres a cup of 3 crickets (started out with 5 but two jumped out im guessing, as he hasnt been near it at all) I'll leave it in there all night.

 

[armando]

Have you tried to freerange the crickets instead of using the cup?
My cham wont eat from a cup. He just stares at them.
As soon as one or two gets out, he goes around and hunts them.
I decided to stop cup feeding, and now Im just throwing the crickets inside.
Also... dont handle him... let him get used to his new enclosure... He might be a little stressed.
You might see him calm, but he might be going crazy on the inside while you are holding him.

 

[Lancecham]

He is still settling in. Younger chams sometimes don't take to cup feeding right away. Try free ranging the crickets for now.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Its impossible for me to simply free range, the screen mesh is too big and they escape easily. However! I am proud to say my little Melon has eaten 5 crickets. 4 by strategically placing them on a leaf next to him covered in water so they cant jump, and the 5th by hand. He ignored the last attempt so gonna leave him alone for a bit.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[DavidBuchan]

Good to know, he's settling in just fine

 

[UrbanChameleon]

You might have to buy a smaller screen to put around the outside of your cage. That way the crickets won't escape.

Some Chameleon's won't cup feed, and babies don't take to it right away. You will probably need to find another solution for the time being.

If your Chameleon is 2-3 months old, he/she should be eating 10-15 appropriately sized crickets a day. You could cut the back legs off of the crickets so they can't escape. They should still move around a little bit (to entice eating), but not so much that they can escape.