Getting A Chameleon

[mlw50]

Hello everyone,

So I think I'm finally getting a cham this weekend(3months old). I have the cage set-up, with the basking temperature between 82-83F and the bottom of the cage at 73F. Attatched is a picture. I still have to add in a feeding cup.

 

[laurie]

I would add a few more branches so he can get around better. What are you getting??

 

[draetish]

more branches as Laurie said and I would raise the potted plant up more. Maybe set it on something or get a plant stand.

 

[mlw50]

I have a ladder to into there. I just have to cut it to size and I'm not sure exactly where I'm going to place it. I also think I'm going to pick up another vine, once I get my car. It's out of commission for the day.

I think I'm going to get either an Ambilobe or Ambanja, I have to speak with the breeder(a local guy), probably tomorrow.

 

[draetish]

I have a ladder to into there. I just have to cut it to size and I'm not sure exactly where I'm going to place it. I also think I'm going to pick up another vine, once I get my car. It's out of commission for the day.

I think I'm going to get either an Ambilobe or Ambanja, I have to speak with the breeder(a local guy), probably tomorrow.

Go Panthers! I assume you have done your homework, right?

 

[mlw50]

I hope so! I feel like I have a decent grasp of gutload, being that I already have a leopard gecko. My only concern in regards to that(because I hate crickets) is with her I feed her mealies and supers(i know for chams, mealworms sparingly), so with dubia, what do people feed to sustain a colony as opposed to gutloading?

Also is that basking temp alright? I've seen varying numbers all over the place.

 

[draetish]

Basking temp is fine but you may want to add different level of branches so the cham can decide. Just be careful and keep the closest one 6-8 inches from the lamp (chams burn themselves). Gutload for dubia is the same as crickets. Collard or turnip greens, shredded carrots, sweet potatoes, etc. there are some good threads and Sandrachameleon has excellent blogs on the subject. You will also want to order hornworms and silkworms occassionally, variety is great and these two are excellent hydration tools.

 

[Monkeykungphu]

so with dubia, what do people feed to sustain a colony as opposed to gutloading?

Crushed dog or catfood will easily sustain a dubia colony, but I would not gutload with it. Good luck!

 

[serenitystarlite]

Aw I didn't realize you already bought your cage. I would've sold you the one I bought from Craig with the vines all included! Lol I hate it. I prefer the cages I built

 

[mlw50]

Draetish: do you maintain your colony with those foods?

Serenity: Thanks for the thought. I appreciate it.

Also, after dinner, I cut down the ladder and added it, added another rod and a vine I had. I still may out and get another.

 

[serenitystarlite]

Check out Pat Catan's, I get really cheap vines from there. What size is your cage?

 

[mlw50]

Pat Catan's?

18x18x36

 

[draetish]

Draetish: do you maintain your colony with those foods?

Lookin better. Well yes on the maintaining but I can tell you the greens tend to smell. I have started moving the feeders and potential feeders to another bin and gutloading those and feeding the adults more dry and water crystals and no greens due to the smell. I still give them the other veggies though.

 

[reptoman]

I am starting to get summer squash in my garden and have noticed that a small pile of that in the dubia bin doesnt even last a day. For some reason they love that more than anything else i have put in there (apples, grapes, banana, carrots...)

 

[pssh]

I find my dubia go crazy for a blended wet and dry gutload together. I will buy or make my own dry gutload and throw it in after I blend the veggies. I take a fruit or two (orange, apple, sometimes a little banana, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, or papaya,) and then I blend in one or two bundles of high calcium greens (collards, dandelions, mustard greens, endive, escarole, celery leaves, parsely, or some dark lettuces [not usually romain and never iceburg]) and then I throw in another veggie like a yam, sweet potato, winter or summer squash, carrots, sweet peppers, and sometimes a little cilantro (because I have guinea pigs.)

The crickets love it too, but not as much.

 

[serenitystarlite]

Pat Catan's?

18x18x36

My favorite craft store! Look up the locations on their website. There are several around the city