couple of questions

[squeekz1992]

1: When should Kuzco's basking temp be bumped up to 90? It is at 85 right now, he is 6 months old. What wattage bulb will achieve his proper temp? I want everything to be tiptop for him

2: I'm going to get Repashy calcium plus tomorrow, do I still need regular calcium? Repashy calcium plus is good for color too right??

3: Why are tomatoes bad for chameleons? I know that they are bad, but I haven't been able to find why when I'm searching the forums.

3: Besides long warm listings, is there anything I can do to help him get shed off of his eyes?
Thanks everyone, in advance trying to keep him happy and healthy

 

[ChameleonMom]

Right now I have a 100w household incandescent in my guys cage and am getting temps on average of 91*F, which he loves. When I mist him the humidity increases and sometimes he finds it too hot but he knows how to regulate his position & temps to be comfortable. I am not sure at what age you can bump up your temps...should it matter for a male? I know for females the optimum temps are 80*F to keep egg production down, but if your guy wants more heat, it shouldn't have a detrimental effect at his age. Perhaps someone else can chime in as to the issues surrounding early high temps for young chams.

I can't answer on the Repashy Calcium as I use Rep-Cal products. I have heard the Repashy Calcium Plus has everything your Cham needs in a supplement but don't quote me on that - I have read a lot and could have it mixed up with another supplement by Repashy. When you know and have some usage under your belt can you let me know as well? I have been pondering a supplement brand change to Repashy myself!

If I remember correctly, tomatoes are very high in acid and toxicity and therefore are not good for chams. In fact they aren't good for most animals as my daughters bunny also can't eat them!

When my chams have shed stuck on their eyes they like to 'rub' them on their vines to work it off. Do you have reptile vines in your cage that he can do this with as opposed to sticks and wood material? The vines have a bit of 'give' and are softer so I don't worry that they'll hurt their eyes. Otherwise, the warm misting should help.

Sorry my answers are somewhat vague, but wanted to give you my own thoughts! Good luck with Kuzco!!

 

[babyjoe]

1. id imagine you could step it up at 6 months just keep an eye on kuzco that its not too hot..open mouth that kind of thing.i had fred up to 90 at 6 months and he seems fine.i had to use a 100w bulb but im in ireland and its currently -4 celcius about20f i think

2 not sure on the repashy ive never used it.id say its to be used in place of regular calcium but check it out first

3 no idea about the tomatoes fred never got any because i dont like them

4 have you tried your pet shop for shed aid ive seen it at the local petshop but never used it.other than that set kuzco up on a tree in the shower.fred is actually shedding at the minute too

 

[sandrachameleon]

1: When should Kuzco's basking temp be bumped up to 90? It is at 85 right now, he is 6 months old. What wattage bulb will achieve his proper temp? I want everything to be tiptop for him

what type of chameleon is this?

Veiled/Chamaeleo:
adult males and breeding females: day basking spot up to 96.5F/36C
Non breeding females and Juveniles (under 8 months) hottest spot should be kept at a lower temp, closer to 80F
day mid-cage / ambient range 70-80F/21 -26C
night to a low of 60F/15.5C (Juveniles only down to 68F)

Panther/Fucifer:
Adult: day basking spot 90F/32C
Non breeding females and Juvenile basking spot should be kept at a lower temp, closer to 80F/26C
day mid-cage/ ambient range 70-80F /21 -26C
night to a low of 65F/18C (juveniles only down to 68F)

Jacks / Jax / Chamaeleo jacksonii
basking 82F (75F for juvies)
Ambient temps in the low 70s
night 60F

2: I'm going to get Repashy calcium plus tomorrow, do I still need regular calcium? Repashy calcium plus is good for color too right??

again, depends on type of chameleon. But even with a vieled or panther i would not use Repashy C+ daily. once or twice weekly. Use a plain vitamin and phosphorous free calcium/mineral supplement if needed (depends on type of feeder prey and how you gutload) the rest of the time. Sticky Tongue Farms Mineral-al-O is a good one.

3: Why are tomatoes bad for chameleons? I know that they are bad, but I haven't been able to find why when I'm searching the forums.

they're not. Its the leaves that are a problem - all members of the night shade family have toxic leaves.

3: Besides long warm listings, is there anything I can do to help him get shed off of his eyes?

keep the humidity up. Gutload the feeders properly.

 

[squeekz1992]

Oh sorry guys! He's an Ambilobe Panther

What age is he considered not a Juvenile anymore?

Idk what happened, (maybe my mom changed my bulb when I was at work?) But when I just got home his basking spot temp was measured at 95F but my laser thermometer was reading at 109F!?!? He wasn't gaping though! He was flat as a pancake and dark, leaning off to his side. I'm assuming he was basking/enjoying it. Woke me up in a flash. Now the probe reads 95.1 (I dimmed the light and misted him really well.

My humidity is doing alright (not perfect 100% of the time but I'm working on getting a tiny humidifier) they stay between about 45-60% with misting going up to 80-90%.

@Sandrachameleon, I'm using your gutload blog now sso, you could answer this part then, if the gut load mix we made up had a tiny amount of tomato in it should I still quarantine the crickets with a better gut load for 24hrs?? (I apologize if these are dumb/repetitive questions, I couldn't find them all through the search tool.

I will see if they have sticky tongues at the show tomorrow

 

[squeekz1992]

Right now I have a 100w household incandescent in my guys cage and am getting temps on average of 91*F, which he loves. When I mist him the humidity increases and sometimes he finds it too hot but he knows how to regulate his position & temps to be comfortable. I am not sure at what age you can bump up your temps...should it matter for a male? I know for females the optimum temps are 80*F to keep egg production down, but if your guy wants more heat, it shouldn't have a detrimental effect at his age. Perhaps someone else can chime in as to the issues surrounding early high temps for young chams.

I can't answer on the Repashy Calcium as I use Rep-Cal products. I have heard the Repashy Calcium Plus has everything your Cham needs in a supplement but don't quote me on that - I have read a lot and could have it mixed up with another supplement by Repashy. When you know and have some usage under your belt can you let me know as well? I have been pondering a supplement brand change to Repashy myself!

If I remember correctly, tomatoes are very high in acid and toxicity and therefore are not good for chams. In fact they aren't good for most animals as my daughters bunny also can't eat them!

When my chams have shed stuck on their eyes they like to 'rub' them on their vines to work it off. Do you have reptile vines in your cage that he can do this with as opposed to sticks and wood material? The vines have a bit of 'give' and are softer so I don't worry that they'll hurt their eyes. Otherwise, the warm misting should help.

Sorry my answers are somewhat vague, but wanted to give you my own thoughts! Good luck with Kuzco!!

Thanks chameleonmom!My bulb is currently a 60W (just got off the phone with mom) and is now resting at 95. I will definitely let you know about the repashy thank you for your answers!

1. id imagine you could step it up at 6 months just keep an eye on kuzco that its not too hot..open mouth that kind of thing.i had fred up to 90 at 6 months and he seems fine.i had to use a 100w bulb but im in ireland and its currently -4 celcius about20f i think

2 not sure on the repashy ive never used it.id say its to be used in place of regular calcium but check it out first

3 no idea about the tomatoes fred never got any because i dont like them

4 have you tried your pet shop for shed aid ive seen it at the local petshop but never used it.other than that set kuzco up on a tree in the shower.fred is actually shedding at the minute too

Thank you I had a bit of a heart attack when my blazer thermometer was reading at 109!!!! Fixed it now and he seemed to be living it up but I Still about died lol. I gave Kuzco a little shower last night and that helped some so I'll have to do it again tonight I've tried the shed aid before, I wouldn't spend money on it again, but it could have been user err

 

[sandrachameleon]

Typically they are called adults at about one year of age - so yours being about 6 months old is a juvy, thus I'd suggest you keep the basking spot at 85F not 90F and certainly not higher.
and your Humidity sounds fine
Having a small amount of tomatoe fruit in the gutload is not a problem.

You might find these links useful when you are deciding what types of supplements you may need (or not need):
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html

 

[squeekz1992]

Typically they are called adults at about one year of age - so yours being about 6 months old is a juvy, thus I'd suggest you keep the basking spot at 85F not 90F and certainly not higher.
and your Humidity sounds fine
Having a small amount of tomatoe fruit in the gutload is not a problem.

You might find these links useful when you are deciding what types of supplements you may need (or not need):
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/174-whats-supplements-brand.html

Okay I will make that adjustment right away! thank you!
And thank you for the links I will check those out

 

[squeekz1992]

Are onions okay in small quantities?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Are onions okay in small quantities?

ya sure.
onion is higher in phosphorous than calcium, but that's no big deal if you're only using it now and then as part of your gutload. Onion provides carbs, B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese, and Vitamin C. If your talking about spring onions, with the green tops as well as the bulbs, there's also some Thiamin, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and iron.
.

 

[squeekz1992]

ya sure.
onion is higher in phosphorous than calcium, but that's no big deal if you're only using it now and then as part of your gutload. Onion provides carbs, B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese, and Vitamin C. If your talking about spring onions, with the green tops as well as the bulbs, there's also some Thiamin, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and iron.
.

Awesome Thanks! Now that I've been following your gutload, it's been a lot easier. and I think Kuzco likes it more so thank you for all your help