Dark Color? and set up check

[mgrieco]

I am new to the forum, but for the last month I have been getting info from here and it sure is full of info. This is my first chameleon and I just want to make sure Im taking care of my little guy

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled, Male, not sure how old he is, he is about 4 in not including tail. I have had him now for only two days
Handling -I havent handled him yet, I let him climb out of his container
Feeding - So far he is eating about 6 crickets and a super worm or 2. The crickets were gutloaded with flukers cricket food stuff and some greens
Supplements-Both days i dusted the crickets with exoterra calcium w/o d3
Watering - I mist his cage probably close to 4 times daily just by spraying it. I have seen him drinking of the leaves but when i am spraying he gets scared and runs away.
Fecal Description - He hasnt been tested for parasites and i dont remember exactly what his poop looked like, I just cleaned it up

Cage Type - The cage is a wood frame with screen mesh on all sides except for the floor that I made. dimensions are 16x24Wx30T
Lighting - I am using a 5.0 repti glo UVB and a 100watt zoo med blue daylight bulb. It has a dimmer but normally on high power. I have them on for roughly 10 to 10
Temperature -basking spot is about 90F about 5 in away from light but it goes to about 70-75 towards the bottom checked the overnight but it probably doesnt reach 65
Humidity - humidity is abou40-45 and goes up when I mist
Plants - I have one Pothos that is pretty small im hoping it will continue to fill out the cage and the rest are fake
Placement - The cage was in a high traffic area and I realized this and moved it to my room where it is just me and he isnt near any air vents.
Location - New Mexico here it is just starting to get cooler and it is just about always dry here.
Current Problem - When i unpacked he was very yellow and blue but since he has been with me he seems to always be a dark brown. occasionally you see a lighter color. Also he is just super shy and hides when I come near the cage. I expect this to be kind of normal from what i have read, but I just want to see if he will always be like this. I also would like to start hand feeding him but he seems pretty scared everytime I try.
hope the pics work

 

[JaxyGirl]

Lighting - I am using a 5.0 repti glo UVB and a 100watt zoo med blue daylight bulb. It has a dimmer but normally on high power. I have them on for roughly 10 to 10
Temperature -basking spot is about 90F about 5 in away from light but it goes to about 70-75 towards the bottom checked the overnight but it probably doesnt reach 65

Cham's are rain forest animals and are really sensitive to temps especially the babies. Your enclosure is too hot and a 90 degree basking spot is way too hot for a baby cham. You want the basking spot to be between 78-82 degrees maximum. I would suggest returning your 100 Watt zoomed bulb and purchasing a regular old cheap incandescent house hold bulb. Probably a 60 watt will bring the temps down to the appropriate basking temp if that's still to hot you can try a 40 watt..

 

[JaxyGirl]

Also, you want three types of supplements. 1) calcium w/o D3 which you already have and lightly dust feeders daily 2) calcium with D3 dust feeders twice month. 3) Multivitamin dust feeders twice monthly.

Also we love pics on here so when you can a chance post some pics of your new baby and your set up!!!

By the Way welcome to the forum..there is tons of info on her and people always willing to help with questions. I hope you enjoy your experience!

Natalie

 

[carol5208]

one other suggestion I would like to make! I would have my lights come on around 7 am to 7 pm . 10 is kinda late to be coming on and going off at night. Also, I was told by my breeder, when we go to daylight savings to adjust with the daylight outside. I am going to be having my lights come on when it gets light out and off when it gets dark, just as if they were living outside. Oh and welcome to the forums!!!

 

[Silkyslim]

I would add more sticks and cover for the dude to hide in. Plus if you have them around the basking areas your cham will be able to regulate his body temp way better.

 

[chameleon884]

add more leaves and branches. he might feel vulnerable out in the open like that. they usually like to hang out in the leaves. go outside and try to find some in your backyard/front, or whatever.
and if you do find a stick outside, bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 45 min. or soak it in water for a couple hours

 

[Gensen]

Also just a suggestion...

Another suggestion... I noticed that you have reptile carpet on the bottom of the enclosure... it's best to leave the bottom bare.... any type of subtrate, including reptile carpet can be breeding grounds for bacteria in my opinion. If you are going to keep it just be aware of that and I would recommend changing it out frequently.

Otherwise the set up looks good. And I commend you for posting pics and filling out the help form so your Cham gets the best care.

I also agree wioth the others about the 100watt bulb... too much for a baby Veild.

Good luck!

 

[August Lager]

No Color

I have a Flap neck 1 year old and his color is always light tan. Any ideas in how to get more color...He is in large cage 42 h x 30w x 18d screen top and front with glass back and sides.

August

 

[carol5208]

I have a Flap neck 1 year old and his color is always light tan. Any ideas in how to get more color...He is in large cage 42 h x 30w x 18d screen top and front with glass back and sides.

August

Show him a girl! lol!