Dante's welcoming party

[alhickabee]

Today I received Dante the 4 month old male veiled from Julirs, #2 in the 4 month old's thread. He was on my door step at 9:20 this morning, UPS didn't even ring the door bell. When I opened the box he had a corner of the wet paper towel a 1/2" to an inch down this throat. I gently pulled it out and it looked intact, freaked me out. I put 3-4 crickets lose in the cage and 6 in a cup in the croton. I thought he had finished off all but one in the cup, but after a count this evening and finding a bunch of crickets well hidden he maybe only ate one or two. So I'm kinda worried, but he did use his tongue to get drink during mistings and I could see his tongue moving in this throat. Here's all the info and some pictures. I'm really hoping nothing is wrong, he's just settling in and he'll down some crickets tomorrow.

Cage Info:
Cage Type -36"x24"x18" wooden stain/sealed with aluminum screen made by me, and a tile floor with a drain. The top of the cage is at about 6' from floor level.
Plants - Pothos, ficus benjamin, hibiscus and a croton
Lighting - The Repti-sun 24" 5.0 should have been here yesterday but it looks like monday now. Basking bulb is a 60w incandescent. His lights are set from 7am to 9pm.
Temperature - 88 or so for the basking spot and 78 in the lower areas night time has been getting down to 72 at the lowest.
Humidity - 70%-80%
Location - In my bedroom against a wall away from the window. I'm usually only in there to sleep. haha

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - 4 month old male veiled. I received him today from UPS
Handling - once today, from the box to the cage
Feeding - Tried feeding him 1/2" crickets, but my count he maybe ate one or two.
Supplements - None yet, but will be following the routine on the raisingkitty site
Watering - Hand misting with warm water 3 times a day for 4-5 minutes
Fecal Description - Haven't seen any yet
History - bought from Julris, received today. She said he was a monstrous eater so this has me worried.
Current Problem - see above

Thanks for the help guys

 

[ToniandGizmo]

I posted a thread myself about UPS when I first received Gizmo. I was waiting outside when the UPS truck arrived and I actually saw the guy take his box out, notice that it was upside down, flipped it up in the direction of the arrow and walk across the street to me. Needless to say, I was absolutely freaked out.

Poor little Gizmo had endured the entire ride upside down. When I opened the box - my fruit fly container had somehow cracked and I had fruit flies and food goo all over the newspaper packing. Gizmo's container was upside down and he was actually covered up underneath his damp paper towel.

If the Kammers had not done such a great job of stuffing his packing box, who know's how bad it would have been. As far as I'm concerned those guys don't care if the arrows on the box are up or down.

As far as your little guy goes, he looks very, very good. Give him a few days to settle in and he'll be eating like a little pig. Congratulations on your little guy.

Your cage looks fantastic by the way.

 

[kenya]

When I got Matcha, I heard my UPS guy in the cul de sac, making his rounds to the other houses. He was dropping off packages from a big pile in his arms and mine was last- he started flipping it around and tossing it in the air (as if playing with a ball) and looking for our house. Needless to say, I was shocked and paler than a sheet. I ran over to him, asked which house he wanted, and promptly told him that there was a live baby chameleon in the box he was practically playing basketball with.

I was livid, Matcha was dizzy, and the UPS guy probably doesn't toss packages anymore.

 

[Orchidartist]

Yikes! I have never mail ordered pets before, but that has happened to me with plants!

Very very nice enclosure!

 

[alhickabee]

Sorry about the pics I don't know if they are right side up for everyone. My photobucket seems to be retarded. When I go to correct 90* it flips it 180*, go figure.

I posted a thread myself about UPS when I first received Gizmo. I was waiting outside when the UPS truck arrived and I actually saw the guy take his box out, notice that it was upside down, flipped it up in the direction of the arrow and walk across the street to me. Needless to say, I was absolutely freaked out.

Poor little Gizmo had endured the entire ride upside down. When I opened the box - my fruit fly container had somehow cracked and I had fruit flies and food goo all over the newspaper packing. Gizmo's container was upside down and he was actually covered up underneath his damp paper towel.

If the Kammers had not done such a great job of stuffing his packing box, who know's how bad it would have been. As far as I'm concerned those guys don't care if the arrows on the box are up or down.

As far as your little guy goes, he looks very, very good. Give him a few days to settle in and he'll be eating like a little pig. Congratulations on your little guy.

Your cage looks fantastic by the way.

Hopefully he'll get some food in him tomorrow. This is all still new to me, I did my research but its all still a bit scary at first.

When I got Matcha, I heard my UPS guy in the cul de sac, making his rounds to the other houses. He was dropping off packages from a big pile in his arms and mine was last- he started flipping it around and tossing it in the air (as if playing with a ball) and looking for our house. Needless to say, I was shocked and paler than a sheet. I ran over to him, asked which house he wanted, and promptly told him that there was a live baby chameleon in the box he was practically playing basketball with. I was livid, Matcha was dizzy, and the UPS guy probably doesn't toss packages anymore.

That's crazy, I can't believe how they treat any parcels especially ones with fragile warnings. UPS is usually the worst too. My grandmother owns a few mail stops and she always has the most claims with UPS.

Yikes! I have never mail ordered pets before, but that has happened to me with plants!

Very very nice enclosure!

Thanks for the compliments on the cage. Most of the materials were left over stuff from around the house, I have less than $40 bucks into it. Hopefully he'll enjoy all of the work I've put into it.

 

[Julirs]

What a gorgeous cage! You certainly did your research! In a couple days that guy is going to be so happy he is alone after sharing a cge with about 15 piggy girls! If I could only explain how worried I was with his Dad-who was my first chameleon-I was calling the breeder every day-"He's not eating, He's not drinking, I think his temps are off!" I worried myself senseless! Actually, I still worry more than I should and everyone does fine. He will settle in-then watch out-did you see the thread where one of his brother is over 60 grams? Let me know if you have any questions-I am always available to help! Call or here or email!

 

[alhickabee]

What a gorgeous cage! You certainly did your research! In a couple days that guy is going to be so happy he is alone after sharing a cge with about 15 piggy girls! If I could only explain how worried I was with his Dad-who was my first chameleon-I was calling the breeder every day-"He's not eating, He's not drinking, I think his temps are off!" I worried myself senseless! Actually, I still worry more than I should and everyone does fine. He will settle in-then watch out-did you see the thread where one of his brother is over 60 grams? Let me know if you have any questions-I am always available to help! Call or here or email!

Ya I'm just being a worry wort...lol. All of his temps are good. I saw him almost shoot at a cricket this morning. The tongue started to come out then I guess he decided it was to far way and he started walking to it. Of course when he got in range the cricket fell down to the floor.

 

[Cainschams]

Juli is right. If its anything like my panther babies that guy will claim his territory in a very short time. I think it took 2 days before my hold back would get pissed at another cham and at only 3 months. Im sure he is going to look great just like all the others she has sold. Very nice cage also!

About ups. My friends dad works there and the lady that does the lables and all tell me the rule is lables up but it just doesnt happen. I was worried about putting live animal and this side up on my boxes and the lady said it does not matter. The lady actually holds my package untill right at the end of the night and then takes it to the conveyer belt herself. At least they have that much more peace which isnt actually too much. They just dont care

 

[boothy]

Kenya how did you not knock that guy out? i would of went nutty and ended up fightin with the guy , i know fighting isnt the way but WOW that would of just tweaked me to no end, i would of ripped him up though but glad your chameleon came in one peice , i still cant get over he was tossing it in the air lol i woulda tossed him off the lawn lol ahahah

 

[boothy]

oh yea forgot Juli you made some beautiful baby veileds there and a brother to this one at 60 grams Holy cow thats a hefty lil cham ahaha but keep up the good work, i wish you didnt live in the states , i need a female veiled right now

 

[alhickabee]

Alright everything is going great. He's eaten three crickets so far that I've seen and he's about to go for another. I put about 8 in there with a little tray of gutload at the bottom. All of the crickets are at the top and he's having a field day!! So far he's 3 for 5, little guy needs to work on his accuracy. I wish I could get a picture that really shows how good this guy looks.

 

[dodolah]

Kenya how did you not knock that guy out? i would of went nutty and ended up fightin with the guy , i know fighting isnt the way but WOW that would of just tweaked me to no end, i would of ripped him up though but glad your chameleon came in one peice , i still cant get over he was tossing it in the air lol i woulda tossed him off the lawn lol ahahah

My first veiled which I purchased from Kammers arrived shock and dizzy.
The ups guys twirl the box and throw it on the porch from quite of distance.

But, i gotta agree, Kammers did well packaging the cham. Luckily, my veiled is fine.

 

[alhickabee]

Got some pics of him today. I took him out while I wrapped another flexible vine around his cage. He showed some really bad ass colors for a 4 month old.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

Wow looks like he's doing just fine now. Beautiful little guy. Glad to hear he's been eating. Doesn't take them long..... Congratulations

 

[panthercham]

He is gorgeous!

Every new cham owner goes thru what you have just gone thru....I didnt sleep the first nite I got my first panther I was so nervous something would go wrong. I think sometimes though with dont give them enough credit for being tough little critters

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Beautiful little guy. I have a brother who is not just about 50 grams. He is a little stud.

 

[jannb]

He is quite a handsome little guy! So glad that he is now eating and doing fine. Nice set up you have for him! Jann

 

[Dsignrguy]

Great lookin little guy.

I posted a thread myself about UPS when I first received Gizmo. I was waiting outside when the UPS truck arrived and I actually saw the guy take his box out, notice that it was upside down, flipped it up in the direction of the arrow and walk across the street to me. Needless to say, I was absolutely freaked out.

Poor little Gizmo had endured the entire ride upside down. When I opened the box - my fruit fly container had somehow cracked and I had fruit flies and food goo all over the newspaper packing. Gizmo's container was upside down and he was actually covered up underneath his damp paper towel.

If the Kammers had not done such a great job of stuffing his packing box, who know's how bad it would have been. As far as I'm concerned those guys don't care if the arrows on the box are up or down.

As far as your little guy goes, he looks very, very good. Give him a few days to settle in and he'll be eating like a little pig. Congratulations on your little guy.

Your cage looks fantastic by the way.

I worked at UPS for 4 years....I will NEVER NEVER NEVER ship through them if avoidabe at any cost. I try to get people shipping to me not to use them also.

 

[ToniandGizmo]

I worked at UPS for 4 years....I will NEVER NEVER NEVER ship through them if avoidabe at any cost. I try to get people shipping to me not to use them also.[/QUOTE]

Straight from someone WHO KNOWS! Yikes! I've thought the same thing too (about working out some other kind of shipping arrangement) when I get my next cham.

Considering how bad these guys really are - I'm sure my breeder will work with me on this one.

Anyone out there have better experiences with different shipping companies?

 

[kenya]

Kenya how did you not knock that guy out? i would of went nutty and ended up fightin with the guy , i know fighting isnt the way but WOW that would of just tweaked me to no end, i would of ripped him up though but glad your chameleon came in one peice , i still cant get over he was tossing it in the air lol i woulda tossed him off the lawn lol ahahah

It helps that he was a 6'4" man and I am a 20 year old girl. =]