Chameleon Hiding

[LoganMills98]

Hey everyone, got my first chameleon the other day with its cage all set up. There wasn't many options near me for seller sos i got the cage kit at petsmart and the chameleon there too, a little baby Veiled. Im not sure if this is normal or not but anytime i come in my room he kinda hides in this little bush i have along the back wall and just avoids me. Is there anything i can do or just wait it out for him to get comfortable?

 

[nightanole]

Babies are in the "eat me" stage of life. Its going to be 45-60 days before for he decides you are not going to eat him.

About the best way i can get them out is to hand or tong feed them "treats" that they dont get in the feeder cup etc. So if they want the horn/silkie/super bad enough, they have to eat it while im around.

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

You said you got the kit, it would be a good idea to fill this out to check your husbandry as most of the kit is junk and not what you need.

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.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[LoganMills98]

You said you got the kit, it would be a good idea to fill this out to check your husbandry as most of the kit is junk and not what you need.

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.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

It's a veiled the pets-mart lady told me around 3 months and she didn't know the sex.
I don't really handle him I had him out because he actually went on my hand just earlier. I need to get a hotter bulb his bottom is about 65 and his top was 75. His humidity level was only 44% and I have. a pathos plant sitting in there with some sticks for him to climb around on with some fake vines. The cage is on a pub table in my room so its the highest point, I'm in Florida. My current issue is would be that i'm not sure if he's eating. the first day i brought him home which was like two days ago i saw him eat a silk worm. i haven't really seen any pop but i don't know if its getting caught in my pathos plant

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

It's a veiled the pets-mart lady told me around 3 months and she didn't know the sex.
I don't really handle him I had him out because he actually went on my hand just earlier. I need to get a hotter bulb his bottom is about 65 and his top was 75. His humidity level was only 44% and I have. a pathos plant sitting in there with some sticks for him to climb around on with some fake vines. The cage is on a pub table in my room so its the highest point, I'm in Florida. My current issue is would be that i'm not sure if he's eating. the first day i brought him home which was like two days ago i saw him eat a silk worm. i haven't really seen any pop but i don't know if its getting caught in my pathos plant

So there is some stuff you did not go over that is important like supplements. Main things here are uvb, you need a long linear bulb that stretches across the whole cage or your cham will get metabolic bone disease, your best shot is online, I would look for a t5 5.0. You also need A LOT more plants to fill up your enclosure, you should have to sit there for a couple minutes in order to find him. Please get a picture of the back feet, if it is a boy then there will be little bumps on the back of them, this is important because if it is a girl then you will need a laybin for eggs. Temps are a bit low but not horrible for a baby that small, if you plan on getting a higher wattage soon, then make sure its about 80-83. What are your supplements?

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

Also, silk worms are most likely too big, you need pinhead crickets asap, babies need A LOT of food. I recommend getting a feeder run cup, they arent hard to find and will make it easier to know how much he is eating.

 

[LoganMills98]

Also, silk worms are most likely too big, you need pinhead crickets asap, babies need A LOT of food. I recommend getting a feeder run cup, they arent hard to find and will make it easier to know how much he is eating.

I have ordered a feeder cup off of amazon should be here Wednesday.

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

I have ordered a feeder cup off of amazon should be here Wednesday.

And what about the other things I talked about? Supplements and uvb?

 

[LoganMills98]

So there is some stuff you did not go over that is important like supplements. Main things here are uvb, you need a long linear bulb that stretches across the whole cage or your cham will get metabolic bone disease, your best shot is online, I would look for a t5 5.0. You also need A LOT more plants to fill up your enclosure, you should have to sit there for a couple minutes in order to find him. Please get a picture of the back feet, if it is a boy then there will be little bumps on the back of them, this is important because if it is a girl then you will need a laybin for eggs. Temps are a bit low but not horrible for a baby that small, if you plan on getting a higher wattage soon, then make sure its about 80-83. What are your supplements?

I just got a 100 Watt lightbulb today to increase his temp and I'm going to get a shower curtain for the side of his cage to hopefully increase the humidity. Im also going to get the long UVB bulb from the reptile store Tuesday to go over his cage. I tried to get some pictures but he's still getting comfortable with me. Ive been feeding him crickets and roaches with the occasional silk worm with the calcium powder tat came with his kit.

 

[PoseidonTheChameleon]

I just got a 100 Watt lightbulb today to increase his temp and I'm going to get a shower curtain for the side of his cage to hopefully increase the humidity. Im also going to get the long UVB bulb from the reptile store Tuesday to go over his cage. I tried to get some pictures but he's still getting comfortable with me. Ive been feeding him crickets and roaches with the occasional silk worm with the calcium powder tat came with his kit.

Good news is you have a boy, which will be easier for you. You need calcium without d3 for almost every feeding. Then you will need calcium with D3 and a multivitamin without D3. I will attach pics if the ones I have, but there are different brands. You will use calcium without d3 6 days a week, then on sunday(or whatever day you choose) you will use calcium with d3, then the next sunday you will use the multivitamin. So you are alternating between d3 and multivitamin every sunday, if that makes sense.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! @PoseidonTheChameleon is giving you great info.
I just want to make sure you buy the correct uvb light. You’ll need a T5HO fixture with a 5.0 or 6% uvb bulb. These are the long tube lights. As you’ll eventually need a much larger enclosure for your little cutie, it would be more economical to buy a 24” long uvb. One such as this is perfect. https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit.html It costs a bit more than ReptiSun, but is not only a great brand, but the bulb lasts a year, which is twice as long as Reptisun. Before you add a 100w basking bulb, you temps shouldn’t exceed 80 at basking level. Humidity of 44% is perfect. You don’t want that to go any higher than 50% during the day time.
There’s several resources that I’d recommend you check out, which will help guide you in caring for your little guy. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-basics/ https://caskabove.com/ and on YouTube check out Neptune the chameleon. Of course the forum is full of members who have started where you are and enjoy helping new keepers get everything just right.

 

[LoganMills98]

Hi and welcome! @PoseidonTheChameleon is giving you great info.
I just want to make sure you buy the correct uvb light. You’ll need a T5HO fixture with a 5.0 or 6% uvb bulb. These are the long tube lights. As you’ll eventually need a much larger enclosure for your little cutie, it would be more economical to buy a 24” long uvb. One such as this is perfect. https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit.html It costs a bit more than ReptiSun, but is not only a great brand, but the bulb lasts a year, which is twice as long as Reptisun. Before you add a 100w basking bulb, you temps shouldn’t exceed 80 at basking level. Humidity of 44% is perfect. You don’t want that to go any higher than 50% during the day time.
There’s several resources that I’d recommend you check out, which will help guide you in caring for your little guy. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-basics/ https://caskabove.com/ and on YouTube check out Neptune the chameleon. Of course the forum is full of members who have started where you are and enjoy helping new keepers get everything just right.

yea i've been watching almost off of Neptunes videos to get a better understanding. His temp was rather low earlier today so i got a 100w bulb and its not sitting at 76 degrees in his basking spot.

 

[LoganMills98]

Good news is you have a boy, which will be easier for you. You need calcium without d3 for almost every feeding. Then you will need calcium with D3 and a multivitamin without D3. I will attach pics if the ones I have, but there are different brands. You will use calcium without d3 6 days a week, then on sunday(or whatever day you choose) you will use calcium with d3, then the next sunday you will use the multivitamin. So you are alternating between d3 and multivitamin every sunday, if that makes sense.

I got the one with D3 today, thats all my regular pet store in town had. Im going tomorrow to Jacksonville to get the long UVB build and the multivitamin.