Hello! Can some answer some coloring questions?

[Collizmo]

So I know chameleons are usually darker in more stressed situations, but I know there are some exceptions on why they turn dark. My baby veiled keeps turning dark (kind of brown but not black) when in his "temporary habitat" meaning it's a bit small the large version comes on monday. The thing is when I put my hand in there and he climbs on he instantly turns light green. I should also note that he is shedding. Is his color because of stress or shedding or because I just got a better a new basking light that creates better heat? Thanks.

 

[davthevieled]

Hey there! It is awesome of you to come to the forums and look for answers!

A ton of various stuff could be causing this. It would definitely help us all understand what might be going on if you could please answer everything here below:


Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[kinyonga]

Chameleons seem to regard their cage as their territory and when you take them out they have to be on guard because they are not in their normal home territory IMHO.

 

[Collizmo]

Male veiled chameleon, 4 - 5 months old, eating small mealworms with calcium suplaments. Only purchased a few days ago so I haven't handled that much. He has an electric fountain, lighting is just a basking light currently. Temperature is about 80, but I just turned off his lights.

 

[davthevieled]

Off topic a bit... An electric fountain? Is it sort of like a waterfall? Does it have a large opening where the water flows down? Could you take a picture please? Normally you want to stay away from these as they are hard to clean... specially since it is a huge target for fecal matter. How small is the temp terrarium? How large is the new one? What are the highest temps in the tank, and the lowest temps? What about humidity?

Meal worms are kind of a bad thing to be feeding him. Stick to crickets, horn worms, silk worms, wax worms, ect. ect...

You need a vitamin supplement. What brand of calcium? What kinds of calcium? How often are you dusting them?

 

[MichaelMichael]

Fountain as in running water fountain? I’ve heard running water isn’t great for chameleons because they like to poop and urinate in streams. Maybe I’ve been mis-informed but I think having still water and lots of moisture is best. Such as water droplets he would find in the wild

 

[davthevieled]

Also I did forget to ask, you stated he is only using a basking lamp now. Do you have a UVB hood + bulb ordered?