Help with a new baby

[Crowley722]

Today was my birthday, and yesterday as a gift, my dad decided to take me to a reptile store to get my first chameleon. I've wanted one since I was about 7 (I turned 16 today. Woohoo ) anyway, I decided to go with the veiled chameleon because based on the research i had done before I knew they were the hardiest of the different species. I got all of the things I knew i would need plus a few other things that the reptile person helped me with. I have vines, branches, a 20gallon high tank, a UV lamp, heat lamp, orchid bark substrate, a mister, cricket farm, calcium powder, etc. He seems to be doing well. He just seems to be sleeping a lot more than what i had expected based on what i knew (12-14 hours daily). Im not sure if thats okay or if there might be something im not doing correctly. I coated his crickets and put them in his tank and im not entirely sure if he ate at all because i keep seeing more crickets still in there than i expected. (I put 6 in his tank but when i did they all went and hid under the orchid bark) i saw 3 of them later on but Crowley doesnt seem to have moved from the spot under his UV lamp all day. I was out for a few hours but i have been very observant with him to make sure that he is well taken care of and i dont think he moved from the same spot all day. After all, i have been waiting a long time for this and I want to be the best chameleon mom I can be Are there any suggestions on what i can do to ensure that he stays healthy and grows steadily without any problems? Im just worried i might do something wrong and I really dont want to hurt him. These animals mean a lot to me and i want to give him the best care i possibly can. Thanks

 

[xephyr17]

Welcome to the Forums!! You've definitely come to the right place to find out all you'll need about taking care of your little guy

First off, if you could post some pictures of your Veiled and his enclosure that would be great. It's easiest to give advice based off of that.

The surest bet to make sure Crowley is eating is to check for feces. If he's pooping, he's eating. But also make sure that you aren't only feeding him crickets. All Chameleons need variety in their diets. I feed Ender (my Veiled) superworms, mealworms and butterworms as his main staple diet and throw crickets in his enclosure for snacks so he can eat throughout the day if he wants. And every now and then I throw in a dubia roach, a waxworm, hornworms, and I'm expanding my variety as much as I can (hopefully soon I'll have some dragonflies to hand ).

On another note, what are you using to cover up the dirt for the orchid? Is it in a pot? You'll want to watch out--he may want to start eating the dirt... I've covered up all the dirt in my pots with river rocks (wash before putting in) and mesh under that. He has a chance of getting impacted if he eats any of that.

There is a lot to learn when taking care of a chameleon! Best of luck to ya and say hello to your little guy for me

-Dillon

 

[ChiefRedman]

Welcome to forums! This linked helped me TONS !

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

As stated above posting pictures of your cham will help out advice.

When you say tank do you mean like a all glass tank? The problem with these is that the hold way to much heat for a chameleon and some people have had success with all glass , or acrylic we generally recommend a screen cage

Sleeping during the day is not a good sign, is his cage pitch black at night?
Its not the fact that he is sleeping that is bad, but that he is feeling so bad that he is sleeping

I let my little guy sleep for twelve hours at night which is recommended.

How old is your cham? You might want to up how many crickets he is getting if he is still young

The bark isnt a good idea, you need to get rid of it, chameleons can eat them and become impacted , and you also saw how crickets can hid in there as well


You like you are on the right foot, always try to learn more and research often, if you have anymore questions feel free to PM and if I cant answer them I will gladly point you into the right direction

 

[carol5208]

Please read the attached link that the other member posted for you. A fish tank is not appropriate housing for a chameleon so I am not sure where you got your info from. Please remove the bark from the bottom of the tank. That is a potential choking and impaction hazard for your chameleon. If you chameleon goes to shoot for a cricket or other prey item and gets a chunk of bark along with it, you could have a real problem. Chameleons do not sleep during the day at all. They are not like cats or dogs and do not take naps even. Sleeping during the day is a usually a sign of illness or something being awry in your set up, such as incorrect lighting, too hot of temps, etc. The link you were given will get you on the right track. Hopefully you can return some of the things you purchased as they are incorrect items for keeping a chameleon.