Veiled chameleon (male I think) I’ve had him for 2 years, this month.
He doesn’t like being handled, his name is ‘grumpy’ because he gets grumpy if I try to handle him which I think is more his species than him specifically
Great name!
I have a girl named Grumpy. Here’s a great blog on building trust.https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/building-trust-with-your-chameleon.2396/
Most commonly eats 3-4 crickets daily, coated in ‘repti calcium’ , also occasionally eats wax, meal and super worms.
Attaching some graphics. Variety is best. Feeder bugs need to be well fed and kept healthy so that they offer more nutrition to your cham. He is looking a bit chunky (puffy casque and cheeks) and should really be fed 3-4 feeders every other day or even 3 days a week.
@Beman already advised on supplements. D3 is fat soluble so isn’t excreted quickly in the body and can build up to toxic levels. This can effect muscle, nerve and bone, very similarly to how lack of D3 does. Not having a multivitamin adds to him not doing well.
I spray his enclosure 2-3 times daily, the past 2 years I hardly ever see him drinking from his water bowl, however the past week he has been drinking more water I’ve noticed
Chameleons don’t drink from bowls. They drink the water droplets off of leaves. It’s best to spray for at least 2 minutes right before lights go on, off and you can add one at mid day (or use a dripper for about 20-30 minutes).
I don’t think he has pooped in a few days, nothing fresh in his cage, I don’t remember it looking wrong however
Has he ever been tested for parasites? It’s always best to have a fecal done.
A few weeks ago his vent seemed to be inflamed but it seemed to have gotten better in a few days
His vent does look a bit puffy. I’m wondering if perhaps he has a stuck hemipenal plug. Although this can be checked for and addressed at home, I feel it’s best to have a vet do it to prevent hurting your guy.
Cage info -
Tall screen cage ~ 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft
This is really too small. He needs at least a 2x2x4’ enclosure. I keep my males in double that size and they do use all of the space.
About 65% humidity
This is too high. Ideal range is between 30-50%.
80 degrees basking, 65-70 degrees lower in cage
You could increase his basking temp just a bit up to 84-85.
(simple temp and humidity gage in his cage)
If it is an analog gauge, they are notoriously inaccurate. Better to use a digital gauge with wired probe.
Cage is located on my bureau in my bedroom, has been there for 2 years, top of his cage is about 5ft of the floor
I’m located in Massachusetts
What area?
Your guy desperately needs a proper uvb source. The standard is a linear T5 with either ReptiSun 5.0 or Arcadia 6%. Most chain pet stores do not sell these. I believe PetSmart has started selling Arcadia Pro T5 which is a great light. It comes with a 6% uvb bulb. Then you’ll want to put basking spot about 8-9” above where your light sits. The light will come in 24” length, but your guy needs an enclosure upgrade.
You need to replace all of the artificial plants with safe clean live ones. Veileds like to nibble their plants. It only takes one bite of a fake leaf for impaction to happen. Attaching plant graphic. Pothos is excellent. Putting a tall center plant like a schefflera or weeping fig is ideal. You want to provide lots of shaded areas for your guy to hide in or take shade. I hang my artificial plants on the outside of my enclosures to give my chams a sense of more privacy from me.