Chameleons

[biggslizard]

Ok so i just joined this forum and i have a chemelon whose about 6-7 months old, i have trouble keeping humidity up sometimes i've tried putting a damp towel over a fourth the cage, using a small mister system from a petstore and i mist the tank with a waterbottle about 3 times aday to help the humidity along with a humidity spray, but i cant get the humidity to stay up very high where it is comfortable for my chameleon any ideas or advice on what i can do?

 

[sandrachameleon]

welcome to the forum

what type of chameleon do you have?
What is the humidity reading?
do you use live plants?
have you tried covering three sides of your cage (Im guessing you're not using a solid-sided enclosure)?
have you considered buying a humidifier (if its really dry in your home, your own skin might appreciate it!)?

 

[biggslizard]

thanks and i have a 6-7 month old Veiled, i have him in a 29 gallon tank for the time being im saving up for a bigger tank and more decorations for him, i actually havent tried a humdifier yet, i am living with my fiance actually so i would need to clear it with everyone else but my humidity reading will drop to like 40-60% and i know its supposed to be like 80%+ so it takes like 3 spray bottles each time i mist to keep the humidity high

 

[biggslizard]

i dont use live plants the petstores near me dont have the greatest selction of "live plants" they are all dead and wilted so thats as "live" as the petstored get :/

 

[sandrachameleon]

thanks and i have a 6-7 month old Veiled, i have him in a 29 gallon tank for the time being im saving up for a bigger tank and more decorations for him, i actually havent tried a humdifier yet, i am living with my fiance actually so i would need to clear it with everyone else but my humidity reading will drop to like 40-60% and i know its supposed to be like 80%+ so it takes like 3 spray bottles each time i mist to keep the humidity high

luckily, 40-60% is fine. You might add a dripper or mist one more time each day to keep it above 40% more often. Using prey that is well gutloaded with fruits and veg will also help hydrate your chameleon and thus make more resliant to dry conditions if needs be

when you say "tank" do you mean like a fish tank aquarium?

You might consider going to a plant store rather than a pet store for your plants jsut be sure to wash the leaves

 

[biggslizard]

ya its a fish tank aquarium converted to chameleon terrerium, would that be the problem why i cant keep the humidity up?

 

[biggslizard]

what kind of plants do you recommend?

 

[sandrachameleon]

ya its a fish tank aquarium converted to chameleon terrerium, would that be the problem why i cant keep the humidity up?

converted how?

Generally speaking, fish tanks make terrible chameleon habitats.

Fish tanks typically trap more heat and humidity than is desirable, do not provide good air exchange, and stagnant water collects (if you are providing enough water) on the bottom leaving you with a drainage issue.

Chameleons are tree dwellers, needing a good deal of veritcal space. As an adult, the cage needs to be minimally 2 foot wide, 2 foot deep and 4 foot tall. you also need to ensure the air moves (placing the basking light to one side and having vents / screen at the lower part of the cage will allow for cool air to be drawn in at the bottom as warmer air rises from around the basking light. Fish tanks do not have vents near the bottom, making air flow a concern. The chameleon will use the vertical space to thermoregulate. Moving upwards towards the basking light to increase temp, and moving down to the cooler share areas when they are too hot

 

[sandrachameleon]

what kind of plants do you recommend?

I like pothos. Other good choices are schefflera and ficus.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/pla...browse=scientific&view=photo&order=compatible
https://www.chameleonforums.com/pla...browse=scientific&view=photo&order=compatible
https://www.chameleonforums.com/pla...browse=scientific&view=photo&order=compatible

 

[sandrachameleon]

You might find some of the info in these links useful:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/syn/226-frequently-asked-questions.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...hameleons.html
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...are-sheet.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/573-chameleon-physiology-supplements.html

 

[biggslizard]

well when i say converted i mean instead of a fish tank cover its a mesh lid and i have a heat lamp over half the tank i have two water bowls one in the middle of the tank and one on the cool side i have lots of vines and climbing decor, unfortunately it is a 29 long but i have managed to make enough ups and downs with the vines and toys so he can go anywhere he likes, the heat lamp is on a stand that is adjustable and i keep it about 10 inches away from the lid and have found that at that distance the mesh wont heat up but it supplies enough heat to keep the tank between 80 and 90 degrees and my tank is currently at 80 degrees he seems to be doing good but if i could get your opinion that would be very helpful!

 

[Lala0]

Could you post a pic of his tank?

 

[biggslizard]

ill try im still getting the hang of using the forum so it may take me alittle bit

 

[biggslizard]

ok so somehow i sent my reply somewhere else?? so hopefully you are able to find it cause i cant get it to this thread?

 

[sandrachameleon]

well when i say converted i mean instead of a fish tank cover its a mesh lid and i have a heat lamp over half the tank i have two water bowls one in the middle of the tank and one on the cool side i have lots of vines and climbing decor, unfortunately it is a 29 long but i have managed to make enough ups and downs with the vines and toys so he can go anywhere he likes, the heat lamp is on a stand that is adjustable and i keep it about 10 inches away from the lid and have found that at that distance the mesh wont heat up but it supplies enough heat to keep the tank between 80 and 90 degrees and my tank is currently at 80 degrees he seems to be doing good but if i could get your opinion that would be very helpful!

Im sorry to tell you that a fish tank with a mesh cover is less than ideal. You'll want to look into different options.
When you say water bowls, do you mean like on the bottom of the tank? Chameleons do not typically drink from bowls.
the cool part of the enclosure should be closer to 70 and the hotter basking are up to (but preferably less than 90). Your cham is quite young still and can dehydrate quickly.
I think you'd learn lots of good info if you check out the links above. You obviously like your chameleon so Im sure you want the best possible life for it.

 

[biggslizard]

here is the tank

 

[biggslizard]

sorry if the picture is alittle small but it was the best icould get with my phone :/

 

[biggslizard]

thats what i figured with the tank and ya they are bowls of water, i have seen him drink from them but ihave to be extremly still when he does, and in the piche is the bright green dot on the far right

 

[sandrachameleon]

sorry if the picture is alittle small but it was the best icould get with my phone :/

its okay - I can basically see what's what.
and like I said, its just not right for a chameleon. Those sorts of horizontal set-ups are better for ground dwelling lizards. If you're careful, watch the temps etc, he'll probably be okay in there for a bit. But you will need a proper veritcal cage soon as he grows.
I dont see a UVB light tube...
Instead of the bowls, spray the leaves and consider adding a dripper (the extra water could fall into a water bowl that you would empty and clean daily)

Its after mid-night where I live and Im an old lady so its time for bed. Please please do look at the links I provided above. You will need to make some changes if you want that little cute little chameleon to grow up and live a long happy life.

 

[biggslizard]

i am saving up for a uvb because i just got hired so for now its living on paycheck to paycheck but i make sure he is getting fed enough and he does move around alot though i did catch him on the bottom of the enclosure twice, he was just walkin around and when i walked in he climbed back onto his vines so i dont know if he fell? or if he decided the floor of the tank was good but those were the only times i've seen him on the bottom of the tank