Chameleon questions.

[carlisleishere]

Hi, I just started working at a pet store and we currently have an adult chameleon in the store that was given to us by it's previous owners. It is believed to be female ( I haven't gotten a good look at it yet). I was just wondering what I can do to help this cham because it is in a pretty dry cage, so the first thing I want to do is double check on temps and to install a drip system in the enclosure. If it is female should I put a lay box in the enclosure, even if it doesn't seem to be gravid? Also, this chameleon is very aggressive, and we never see it eat. Do you think this could be because it is too dry? I want to do everything I can to help this chameleon! I start work today so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[beeek0]

I would suggest trying to put some live plants in the cage as well.. Is she in a glass cage or screen cage?.. Also, how long has she been there? She could still be stressed from being moved over and that could be why she is not eating..

 

[carlisleishere]

I think she's been here since January, I'm not too sure. I am hoping to get some live plants in her enclosure if I'm given permission. She is in an all screen enclosure that is about 2' wide by 2' deep by about 3' tall.

Also, she's been offered crickets, Pheonix worms and hornworms.

 

[panther67]

You can try covering 2 sides of the cage. Shower curtain, or what not. This with live plants should help with humidity.

 

[justjumpit621]

Do you know what species? Or can you get a picture? It would definitely help us to help you to help her

 

[carlisleishere]

Sorry, I forgot to put in what species it was... It's a veiled chameleon. I don't know if I can get a pic, but I'll try. Just some more info: Her food has been dusted with multivitamins a couple times a week, and she has a UVB bulb on her cage. Her heat source is an infrared heat bulb. The bulb is what concerns me, because I couldn't see a thermometer in her cage, which is why I'm bringing my handy tamp gun today. Is there a better heat source than the infrared?

 

[justjumpit621]

Sorry, I forgot to put in what species it was... It's a veiled chameleon. I don't know if I can get a pic, but I'll try. Just some more info: Her food has been dusted with multivitamins a couple times a week, and she has a UVB bulb on her cage. Her heat source is an infrared heat bulb. The bulb is what concerns me, because I couldn't see a thermometer in her cage, which is why I'm bringing my handy tamp gun today. Is there a better heat source than the infrared?

She will need a white heat light source to recognize it as heat. Basking temp should be mid 80's and a veiled female should have a lay bin in the cage at all times. multivitamins a few times a week is way too much, she should be getting plain calcium every other day(so every feeding), a calcium with d3 twice a month, and a multivitamin once a month.

you can also tell male or female by if there are spurs on the back feet, little nub like things. That means male.

 

[carlisleishere]

Thank you so much. I'll be sure to change everything as soon as possible. I heard that bird sand is a suitable substrate for laying eggs, is this correct?

 

[samelgert]

She will need a white heat light source to recognize it as heat. Basking temp should be mid 80's and a veiled female should have a lay bin in the cage at all times. multivitamins a few times a week is way too much, she should be getting plain calcium every other day(so every feeding), a calcium with d3 twice a month, and a multivitamin once a month.

you can also tell male or female by if there are spurs on the back feet, little nub like things. That means male.

Welcome to the forums, I agree with justjumpit. If u need to know anything about chams this is the Place

 

[carlisleishere]

That's why I joined the forums.

 

[justjumpit621]

I have heard 1/2 coconut fiber 1/2 playsand. Kept moist to hold form but not wet or it will cave in.