So my name is Nate and this is my story.
I always wanted to say that. So as a kid I always wanted a true cham but they weren't available in my local area. So I had a bunch of different reptiles for years then just lost interest. That was 20+ years ago. Then about a year ago I saw a veiled cham at the store and wanted it bad. So I actually found one of my old books and started doing some research. I never actually made the leap until last tuesday. I went to the store to get some fish food and noticed a Jackson cham in a approx. three gallon terrarium really trying to get out. I thought my girlfriend was going to cry, it was so sad.
So after a few minutes I told her to go ahead and get it while I run to the hardware store for some screen and plants. We got it home and flipped a 50 gallon fish tank on its end and put the plant in it for a home for the night. I work at a lumber mill and on one of my breaks I nailed a 24x36x48 inch frame together and wrapped it with screen. Then got an other plant and some bendable vine and assembled a temporary cage. We set up a UVA and UVB heat lamp and tested the temps.
We haven't named it yet so I will just call it lil bugger for now. Wow it is freindly. It goes right for the hand and explores all over. It is bright green most of the time verses the almost black that it was at the store. I did startle it once and it turned black once so I take it that its mood is displayed by color.
Now for the questions. I figure that no one would know more about chameleons than those that actually have them.
I am planning on constructing a completly new cage about the same dimentions with more plants, vines, water pans, mister and so on but I am concerned that maybe the cage is a bit too big. The lil bugger is really active and spends about half the time wandering around the cage, climbing on the walls and celing. Is this normal? I thought this thing would stay in the plants, is there too much empty space.
Now for feeding. For now I am going with gut loaded crickets but this week end I am going to get a variety for him. But with the size of this cage I have been mostly hand feeding. It has been between four and five a day then he just looses intrest. Boy, what a little marksman!! Anyway is that about the right amount of crickets? I also doubt that every one hand feeds, do you just release them in the cage or is there some sort of system I haven't come across yet? I have found the lil bugger basking a couple of times and was able to place the crickets on an opposing leaf and they sure didn't last long.
I have been misting warm water several times a day and two approx. twenty minute drip intervals, but have'nt seen him drink yet. We are currantly setting up a rodent water drip and will see if that works but any suggestions would be greatly appritiated.
Next, last night before bed I checked on him and he was clinging to the ceiling of the cage. I didn't feel confortable with him there so I moved him to the vine where he settled, I checked about an hour later and he was asleep in the same spot I placed him. But that got me to thinking, can they sleep upside down, and if they can't, can they navigate around in the dark? I read while snooping around that they don't mind pitch black but I was woried that it couldn't see and would have fallen.
So overall I think it is going well. The temps are correct, he is eating and is brilliant green and has a healthy appearance. This looks like a great forum and I will certainly be on here a bit. Anyway, thanks for reading this and any tips would be appreciated.
P.S. Just checked on him and he is basking in the light fat and I hope happy.
I always wanted to say that. So as a kid I always wanted a true cham but they weren't available in my local area. So I had a bunch of different reptiles for years then just lost interest. That was 20+ years ago. Then about a year ago I saw a veiled cham at the store and wanted it bad. So I actually found one of my old books and started doing some research. I never actually made the leap until last tuesday. I went to the store to get some fish food and noticed a Jackson cham in a approx. three gallon terrarium really trying to get out. I thought my girlfriend was going to cry, it was so sad.
So after a few minutes I told her to go ahead and get it while I run to the hardware store for some screen and plants. We got it home and flipped a 50 gallon fish tank on its end and put the plant in it for a home for the night. I work at a lumber mill and on one of my breaks I nailed a 24x36x48 inch frame together and wrapped it with screen. Then got an other plant and some bendable vine and assembled a temporary cage. We set up a UVA and UVB heat lamp and tested the temps.
We haven't named it yet so I will just call it lil bugger for now. Wow it is freindly. It goes right for the hand and explores all over. It is bright green most of the time verses the almost black that it was at the store. I did startle it once and it turned black once so I take it that its mood is displayed by color.
Now for the questions. I figure that no one would know more about chameleons than those that actually have them.
I am planning on constructing a completly new cage about the same dimentions with more plants, vines, water pans, mister and so on but I am concerned that maybe the cage is a bit too big. The lil bugger is really active and spends about half the time wandering around the cage, climbing on the walls and celing. Is this normal? I thought this thing would stay in the plants, is there too much empty space.
Now for feeding. For now I am going with gut loaded crickets but this week end I am going to get a variety for him. But with the size of this cage I have been mostly hand feeding. It has been between four and five a day then he just looses intrest. Boy, what a little marksman!! Anyway is that about the right amount of crickets? I also doubt that every one hand feeds, do you just release them in the cage or is there some sort of system I haven't come across yet? I have found the lil bugger basking a couple of times and was able to place the crickets on an opposing leaf and they sure didn't last long.
I have been misting warm water several times a day and two approx. twenty minute drip intervals, but have'nt seen him drink yet. We are currantly setting up a rodent water drip and will see if that works but any suggestions would be greatly appritiated.
Next, last night before bed I checked on him and he was clinging to the ceiling of the cage. I didn't feel confortable with him there so I moved him to the vine where he settled, I checked about an hour later and he was asleep in the same spot I placed him. But that got me to thinking, can they sleep upside down, and if they can't, can they navigate around in the dark? I read while snooping around that they don't mind pitch black but I was woried that it couldn't see and would have fallen.
So overall I think it is going well. The temps are correct, he is eating and is brilliant green and has a healthy appearance. This looks like a great forum and I will certainly be on here a bit. Anyway, thanks for reading this and any tips would be appreciated.
P.S. Just checked on him and he is basking in the light fat and I hope happy.
