Help a newbie out please!

[Breestyle]

Just came across this site and I am excited! Not sure how old this buddy is but his eye won't open since I got him home. It doesn't look crusted but in the car ride home I had him on my lap the whole time instead of in the box which I am now regretting. It was an amazing impulse buy because he was only $30 and I've always wanted a Cham. His resting colors are green and vibrant at night. Am I supposed to have both of those top lights on for 12 on 12 off at night? The pet store was a joke telling me what to feed him and what humidity to keep it at. He hasn't been moving around much and hasn't ate the two days I've had him. I keep misting him about 4 times a day. Please don't be mad at me just help if you have the time to type! Thank you so much!!

 

[serenaj25]

Hi! Welcome to the forums it is wonderful that you are reaching out for help with your new addition. Keeping chameleons is very challenging, but with lots of research it is not as hard and very rewarding. Please post a picture of your enclosure so I have a better idea of the conditions that he is being kept in. Also fill out the How to Ask for Help form so that we can help you make adjustments to anything you may be doing incorrectly. You can also take a look at the veiled chameleon care sheet https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Here is the how to ask for help form. Just copy and paste it into the reply box and fill in as much info as you can

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.

 

[Andee]

Hey hun, can you fill out this form?

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

Otherwise if you are misting 4 times a day make sure you are doing an average 2 minutes each time (set a timer), and once a day make sure to do around 5-8 minutes. He may have some shed stuck in his eyes? Is he not opening both eyes? Or only one? Though he might be starting to have a calcium deficiency from the look of his back right leg. Not sure, need more pictures in different lighting.

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!
What's the temperature in the basking area?

 

[Lenna]

How, what and when you're feeding can make all the difference... As for the eye..its hard to say but it could be as simple as having a bit of shed skin or a spec of dirt in his eye. What ive done in the past( dunno if others will approve)is take my cham outside to a plant and soak them. The cham i had started cleaning it eye immediately and was fine after.

 

[JacksJill]

Ignore much of what the pet store told you and read this https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/