Chameleon Questions

[Dumzy]

I got my first Veiled Chameleon about a week ago, i have owned many bearded dragons, leopard geckos, snakes, and crested geckos before, but i wanted to try something new, and i have a couple of questions.. First off, he is staying in a 12 x 12 x 24 screen cage for now, packed with plants and vines for him, hes only about 1 month old.
Hes got a 5.0 UVB Bulb and a 100W Basking bulb and eats about 15 crickets a day, sometimes worms instead of crickets, And i was wondering, i saw that almost everyone has live plants in there chameleon cages, do you have to have live plants? Or are artificial plants fine? Another question is, he is almost always a greenish-brown color during the day, and green during the night, is this normal for them? Or is he stressed? I tried handling him a couple of times, but he struggles alot when i get him out of his cage.. Hisses, turns black, opens his mouth, and runs like a maniac, is he still just getting used to me?

 

[TheMusicalCham]

Live plants are essential in any cham enclosure also, your cage should be significantly taller than it is wide. I recommend a hibiscus plant, pothos, or umbrella. Or all three with sturdy bamboo sticks thrown in there. But a full hibiscus should be enough. Chams go darker when they want to soak up some Sun or when they're stressed. Bright green is a good sign! Could you post a picture of his enclosure and him as well?

 

[TheMusicalCham]

Also veiled are usually the more reclusive cham. They're more of a viewing pet and should only be handled when necessary, like when you're doing a deep cleaning of his enclosure or when you're taking him outside for some Sun. Start cup feeding him and then work your way up to hand feeding him. Every cham's personality is different so just be patient.

 

[Andreab102]

Hey! You don't have to have live plants but I suggest it because it helps raise the humidity and it holds water better than artificial plants. Mine is usually darker during the day and then light at night. He may be absorbing heat which explains the color difference, but he also is probably still getting adjusted to you. Besides, many Veileds do not like to be handled a lot.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Since your cham is so young the size of your enclosure is fine for now...is is screen or glass? Your basking light sounds a little high...I use a 65w normal irredescent bulb, be sure that it is at least 8" from the highest point on your little guy when he is basking. Pictures help a lot...post one soon. At night they turn lighter when sleeping...some call it putting on their pajamas .

 

[Dumzy]

It is a screen cage, ill try and get a hibiscus for him... Anyone know how much they usually cost and how hard they are to care for? Ill try and post a pic soon, and he is cup feeding right now, is 100W really too hot? His basking spot is between 95 and 100 wich i heard was perfect for Veileds..

 

[Virgil1972]

It is a screen cage, ill try and get a hibiscus for him... Anyone know how much they usually cost and how hard they are to care for? Ill try and post a pic soon, and he is cup feeding right now, is 100W really too hot? His basking spot is between 95 and 100 wich i heard was perfect for Veileds..

100 is to hot. A young veiled should be about 85 and an adult between 85 and 90.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Hibiscus aren't too hard to grow but do require a lot of bright light....preferably sun. If your enclosure can't be in a sunny window you could also get a pothos plant and switch the two back and forth as needed. You can usually find either depending on size for $5 to $15 dollars here in the states.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Also don't believe everything you hear or read...make sure you check it out. A lot of bad information out there. At least here someone will usually correct it if the info is wrong.

 

[Dumzy]

Oh, ok, my cage isnt really in direct sunlight, my computer blocks the sun from the cage so hibiscus probably isnt the best idea, ill look into a pothos plant.. And ill switch down to a 75W light.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Oh, ok, my cage isnt really in direct sunlight, my computer blocks the sun from the cage so hibiscus probably isnt the best idea, ill look into a pothos plant.. And ill switch down to a 75W light.

I would go 65W...that's what I use for my veiled and it is perfect as long as her basking branch is low enough...never had a problem.

 

[alphakenc]

Oh, ok, my cage isnt really in direct sunlight, my computer blocks the sun from the cage so hibiscus probably isnt the best idea, ill look into a pothos plant.. And ill switch down to a 75W light.

1Month old veild baby should have a basking spot no higher than 85F,so use a digital temperature probe ,I would say 60 watt light bulb to start.

 

[alphakenc]

I would go 65W...that's what I use for my veiled and it is perfect as long as her basking branch is low enough...never had a problem.

65W is ok also as long the temp in that small cage is regulated so the baby will feel comfortable.

 

[Dumzy]

Hm, i dont have a 65W and im not able to get one till tommorow.. 75W Should be fine till then though right?

 

[alphakenc]

Hm, i dont have a 65W and im not able to get one till tommorow.. 75W Should be fine till then though right?

Check ur temp since 1month old veiled are very sensitive with the temperature,u can always drop down the branch so the basking spot can be close enough to 85F,also do lots misting,baby cham gets dehydrated very fast.

 

[Dumzy]

Check ur temp since 1month old veiled are very sensitive with the temperature,u can always drop down the branch so the basking spot can be close enough to 85F,also do lots misting,baby cham gets dehydrated very fast.

Im not to sure how old he is, i rescued him from a petco in my area, he is a male and about 5 inches long, i got him a Biobubble Chameleon Drinking Fountain, wich he loves to drink out of. His basking vine is about 5 inches down from a 75W lamp, and he is shedding right now aswell. I mist him for about 1 minute once every day, should i mist more?

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

Im not to sure how old he is, i rescued him from a petco in my area, he is a male and about 5 inches long, i got him a Biobubble Chameleon Drinking Fountain, wich he loves to drink out of. His basking vine is about 5 inches down from a 75W lamp, and he is shedding right now aswell. I mist him for about 1 minute once every day, should i mist more?

Be careful about that fountain... they are breeding grounds for bacteria chams drink from leaves when you mist them so I would either clean the fountain every day or just use the mist

 

[alphakenc]

Im not to sure how old he is, i rescued him from a petco in my area, he is a male and about 5 inches long, i got him a Biobubble Chameleon Drinking Fountain, wich he loves to drink out of. His basking vine is about 5 inches down from a 75W lamp, and he is shedding right now aswell. I mist him for about 1 minute once every day, should i mist more?

A 5inches long is not 1month old baby,more like in between 2 to 3 month old,but the basking temperature still stay around 85F,and yes u should mist at least 3time or more a day,u can always judge by his poop on the white urate color.

 

[Dumzy]

Be careful about that fountain... they are breeding grounds for bacteria chams drink from leaves when you mist them so I would either clean the fountain every day or just use the mist

A 5inches long is not 1month old baby,more like in between 2 to 3 month old,but the basking temperature still stay around 85F,and yes u should mist at least 3time or more a day,u can always judge by his poop on the white urate color.

The fountain has a carbon pad in it.. From having fish tanks growing up, those are supposed to clean bacteria out of the water.. Weird, but his urate is always white with a little yellow in it.. I will definently mist more aswell.

 

[alphakenc]

Another question is, he is almost always a greenish-brown color during the day, and green during the night, is this normal for them?

When the baby goes to sleep at night ,their color will be usually lighter,but in some different case ,I also saw some darker color , but more lighter colors in them than few darker chams,so I will say its normal.