Help please

[Buckeye238]

Hey all, I am a brand new chameleon owner. Ive switched from snakes to chameleons. Ive researched for months before ordering a chameleon. I ordered my baby blue bar ambilobe a couple weeks ago. I have had him for about three weeks and I have a few questions if anyone can help. I have other questions, but I'd like to start out with these below.

-I am worried about his eating. I have only seem him eat 1-2 crickets a day and no mealworms. Is he okay?

-How do you keep mealworms alive longer? He doesnt seem to want mealworms. i tried putting them in a dish that has a couble vines going over it and he doesnt seem to pay attention. The mealworms dont really move and seem to die quickly even though I put slices of potatoes in the dish for them.

-I have a drip system, what is the best way to catch the water?

He falls asleep around 8-9 and doesn't wake up until around noon, is that normal?

-Am I just a worried parent?

-Could his eating habits just be because he still hasn't gotten used to his new habitat?

 

[JohnnyButt]

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[JohnnyButt]

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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.

 

[camimom]

Hey all, I am a brand new chameleon owner. Ive switched from snakes to chameleons. Ive researched for months before ordering a chameleon. I ordered my baby blue bar ambilobe a couple weeks ago. I have had him for about three weeks and I have a few questions if anyone can help. I have other questions, but I'd like to start out with these below.

-I am worried about his eating. I have only seem him eat 1-2 crickets a day and no mealworms. Is he okay?

-How do you keep mealworms alive longer? He doesnt seem to want mealworms. i tried putting them in a dish that has a couble vines going over it and he doesnt seem to pay attention. The mealworms dont really move and seem to die quickly even though I put slices of potatoes in the dish for them.

-I have a drip system, what is the best way to catch the water?

He falls asleep around 8-9 and doesn't wake up until around noon, is that normal?

-Am I just a worried parent?

-Could his eating habits just be because he still hasn't gotten used to his new habitat?

Congrats on your new purchase!
It can take time for chams to settle in after being moved into new homes, especially when they have been shipped. as long as his eyes are not sunken and his poops and urates look good, just give him plenty of hiding spots and time to adjust.
When he falls asleep taht is normal, as for not waking up until 12, that is a little late in the morning, what is his light schedule? when he is awake, does he ever shut his eyes for more than just a blink? How is his activitiy level?
He should not be fed mealworms daily, they are more of a treat, they dont have alot of nutrional value, and some will say it can irritate the insides of your cham, but who really knows. they do however have a shell and that has been known to cause an impaction, but again, some say it can, some say its never aproblem.
Do you cup feed your crickets or just let them loose in the cage?
Dont know how to keep them alive, i only keep crickets as my cham is still too small for most foods cept wax worms, (btw, try a few of those, but dont be concerned if he looks at it and says you want me to eat that thing are you crazy!?
as for drip system, i just have my live plants set under the drips so that they catch the water, so someone else can help you there.

Everyone worries when their new babies come. it took my male veieled 3 weeks to start acting normally, at least in my opinion.

Good luck and congrats!

PS. we all enjoy pics!

 

[Buckeye238]

Congrats on your new purchase!
It can take time for chams to settle in after being moved into new homes, especially when they have been shipped. as long as his eyes are not sunken and his poops and urates look good, just give him plenty of hiding spots and time to adjust.
When he falls asleep taht is normal, as for not waking up until 12, that is a little late in the morning, what is his light schedule? when he is awake, does he ever shut his eyes for more than just a blink? How is his activitiy level?
He should not be fed mealworms daily, they are more of a treat, they dont have alot of nutrional value, and some will say it can irritate the insides of your cham, but who really knows. they do however have a shell and that has been known to cause an impaction, but again, some say it can, some say its never aproblem.
Do you cup feed your crickets or just let them loose in the cage?
Dont know how to keep them alive, i only keep crickets as my cham is still too small for most foods cept wax worms, (btw, try a few of those, but dont be concerned if he looks at it and says you want me to eat that thing are you crazy!?
as for drip system, i just have my live plants set under the drips so that they catch the water, so someone else can help you there.

Everyone worries when their new babies come. it took my male veieled 3 weeks to start acting normally, at least in my opinion.

Good luck and congrats!

PS. we all enjoy pics!

Thanks he's great and i love him! His light turns off around 10 and turns on around 9 in the morning. Occasionally it seems like he naps every now and then, I also catch him taking some long blinks every now and them. Should i take the mealworms out and replace them with waxworms? and what/where should i keep the bowl?
I'll post some pictures on my profile soon!

 

[camimom]

Thanks he's great and i love him! His light turns off around 10 and turns on around 9 in the morning. Occasionally it seems like he naps every now and then, I also catch him taking some long blinks every now and them. Should i take the mealworms out and replace them with waxworms? and what/where should i keep the bowl?
I'll post some pictures on my profile soon!

most people do 12 on and 12 off for light schedules. so try changing him to that and see if he starts waking up around normal time. now, he may not wake up at the time you turn them on in the morning, and he may already be awake. most people do 8-8 or 9-9, so he may be sleeping later bc his schedule is off. you dont have to take the meal worms out, just dont feed them daily. you can use waxworms, as long as thye are the right size, and even then i would not suggest feeding those daily. if you want a daily feeder that isnt crickets and you arent squeamish, dubia roaches are good, alot of people on here use them instead of crickets when there chams go on hunger strickes (yes they really do go on hunger strikes)
I normally place my worms on leaves for Kink to find, if youwant to use a bowl, put it up by his basking area, so he can find them.

 

[Buckeye238]

I switched his lights to 9-9. I might as well take out the mealworms, RIP. I see a couple droppings. But i also see a 1 or 2 crickets sitting around. is there any way to know if he has eaten or not? or is it just a guessing game?

 

[camimom]

I switched his lights to 9-9. I might as well take out the mealworms, RIP. I see a couple droppings. But i also see a 1 or 2 crickets sitting around. is there any way to know if he has eaten or not? or is it just a guessing game?

Well some people cup feed, which you can then keep an eye on how much he eats. but teaching a cham to do this is time consuming and frusterating. I simply let crickets loose in his cage and assume he eats, i mean, he is still alive and all.

 

[Buckeye238]

well then ill have to guess he snags some crickets when im off at work or away. i guess i just worry that he isnt eating.

 

[Shrilly]

I dont know if this has been mentioned but mealworms are not the best for chams their shells can mess with their stomachs

 

[camimom]

well then ill have to guess he snags some crickets when im off at work or away. i guess i just worry that he isnt eating.

I worried about that all time too. but he keeps growing, putting on weight, looks healthy, tried to bite my finger, I say if he has the energy to attack me, he must be eating!

 

[Heimdallr]

I know the feeling, my first Jackson's Chameleon showed crickets no mercy but my current one rarely ever eats them in front of me if at all, although he makes quick work of moths, lacewings, craneflies, and flies. Try some flying insects and see if he goes after them(I avoid beetles, anything that can physically harm me, and NO FIREFLIES OR TIGER MOTHS!!! You probably know that but just in case, I'll sleep better having said it), some chameleons just have preferences. I suggest researching the feeding of wild caught insects and decide if it is for you or not, there is much controversy. I do it to get my little friend through hunger strikes. http://www.mantisplace.com/ is a good place to get feeder flies and they're cheap (500 for $6)! This way no worries about the filthy places wild flies have been.