Help please! is my Senegal chameleon okay?

[emilyg9333]

I purchased a three month old female Senegal chameleon four days ago. She has only eaten one cricket since I brought her home. She ate this cricket on the night I brought her home. The next day she shed and would not eat, she would only drink water, i figured it was because of the fact that she was shedding. Now its day 4 and she still has a little bit of her shedding on the top of her head, and a little around her eyes, but she still refuses to eat. The humidity in he enclosure is always between 30% and 50%. The temperature in her enclosure is about 80 degrees. What could be wrong? Should i take her to the vet?

 

[NavyCham]

I've had my Senegal for a week and only ate a couple crickets. It's normal. She is just adjusting to her new surroundings so don't get scared. Also I'd recommend upping the humidity. I keep mine around 50-70%. It might make her feel better & will help her shed

 

[NavyCham]

Also a trip to the vet couldn't hurt tho since most Senegals are wild caught even those advertised as captive bred. I plan on taking my little one to get a check up but I'm waitin a few more days cuz I want him to get fully settled in and eat a little more first

 

[DanSB]

I would up the RH a little more than NavyCham suggested. Try to keep it over 80% their natural habitat is VERY wet. You likely won't succeed at keeping it over 60 or 70 but shoot for over 80 it has been said most Senegals die a slow long death by dehydration in captivity. I believe it.

80 might be a little warm for ambient. Make the basking between 85 and 90 with a gradient down to 70 to 75.

Get her checked for parasites (WC or not) they tend to kill stressed Senegals very quickly.

Finally don't expect her to eat much for at least a week and offer a variety, roaches, silks, crickets etc...

Good luck Senegals are awesome!

 

[Lovereps]

Welcome to the forum!
You've come to the right place for reliable cham info.

In addition to the very good advice you've been given, here is an excellent Senegal caresheet to look over and be sure that everything is the way your cham needs it to be to live a healthy life:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/senegal/


You'll want to have a vet who knows plenty about reptiles to care for your cham, not just any regular dog and cat vet.

Good places to look for a vet, besides searching past forum posts, include:
http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/

And

https://www.chameleonforums.com/veterinarian-resources-67/

 

[emilyg9333]

Thanks so much everyone! I am still worried, I haven't had her long but I am in love! I set up a vet appointment with a reptile vet for Saturday just to make sure she is healthy. Thank you again

 

[Lovereps]

Glad you have a vet who's experienced with reptiles.
If she poops before then, collect the poop in a baggie (or two) and store it in the fridge (not the freezer) to bring to the vet.
The fresher the better.
Your vet will use it to do a fecal float and possibly a fecal smear in order to check for parasites.

 

[Trace]

I'm glad you are taking her to a vet. In the meantime please read over my blog on caring for wild caught animals it may be of some help in the meantime.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/trace/776-dealing-wild-caught-chameleon.html

Please don't be shy in asking questions, there are a few of us that have kept and bred Senegal Chameleons on this board.