How old and what gender is my guy???
- Thread starter Reyrots8
- Start date
Reyrots8
New Member
Also yes I know he needs more climbing stuff and his plants need to be more up it’s been difficult getting the stuff to do this since I’m still a minor and can’t drive. He’s not super stressed in this set up as well which is good
ChameleonBoy26
Member
Hello and welcome I am pretty sure you have a male that's most likly a juvenile so I think is 5 7 months old
LizardLurkin
Avid Member
I'm gonna guess he's more likely 3 months old, maybe almost 4 months old. He looks itty bitty to me. He's also still pretty green.
The gender is difficult to determine from these photos, but a male chameleon will have teeny little bumps on the back of both his hindfeet called tarsal spurs.
The gender is difficult to determine from these photos, but a male chameleon will have teeny little bumps on the back of both his hindfeet called tarsal spurs.
Andrew1283
Chameleon Enthusiast
This appears to be a male due to the size of his casque but please take some close up photos of his back feet so we can check for tarsal spurs.
Andrew1283
Chameleon Enthusiast
First of all, congratulations on your little guy. He will grow fast and I hope you will enjoy him for many years.
Here is a post with one way to hang pots in an enclosure:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/1-001-ways-to-hang-pots.195286/
Also, please consider moving his enclosure away from the window. We would all like them to get fresh air and sunlight but the sun can raise temps in your enclosure to dangerous levels.
Here is a post with one way to hang pots in an enclosure:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/1-001-ways-to-hang-pots.195286/
Also, please consider moving his enclosure away from the window. We would all like them to get fresh air and sunlight but the sun can raise temps in your enclosure to dangerous levels.
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hi. I’m going to disagree with everyone as I believe you have a lovely little female who is showing her pretty colors and patterns. Her bars aren’t really true bars and not only aren’t connected, but she has no yellow, orange or black to them as males have. Plus, her casque is lady-sized. Since she is already showing patterns, it is essential for you to read this as she is of egg-laying capability age. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ You need to set up a bin for her asap to be prepared for her to lay eggs, whenever she is needing to. If you have any questions, all of us are always willing and able to help. 
Andrew1283
Chameleon Enthusiast
Reyrots8
New Member
Also it’s not very clear but he does have slight hard bumps on the back of his feet he’s still pretty tiny though he’s large enough to eat large crickets so idk
Reyrots8
New Member
The window is safe I’ve checked temps and all and I only open the blinds up to that sliver also I have bushes and a house in front of the window. Its all good, I also check temp and for burns regularly on little man same for stuck shed an stuff.
ehdee6
Avid Member
Your little Man is a little Miss, there's no spur on the back feet. Like this:
Your little girl is going to need some extra care, such as a lay bin for eggs. They're like chickens and will lay eggs, even without a male. I suggest you read this blog from @MissSkittles
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/
If you have any more questions we're here to help, ask away!
Your little girl is going to need some extra care, such as a lay bin for eggs. They're like chickens and will lay eggs, even without a male. I suggest you read this blog from @MissSkittles
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/
If you have any more questions we're here to help, ask away!
Reyrots8
New Member
Yeah I checked it out a bit ago. Im prolly gonna set up a box an stuff though I haven’t seen any issues with their eating they used to eat around 10 crickets I’ve switched it to 5 recently. I’ve also heard males can have very tiny spurs and their is something on their back feet no bump, bump just a kinda hard lump on the back of their back feet. idk I’m just gonna assume their a girl to be safe rather then sorry.Your little Man is a little Miss, there's no spur on the back feet. Like this:
View attachment 366711
Your little girl is going to need some extra care, such as a lay bin for eggs. They're like chickens and will lay eggs, even without a male. I suggest you read this blog from @MissSkittles
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/
If you have any more questions we're here to help, ask away!
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I’m pretty certain your little beauty is a girl and as she’s already got her patterns, make sure to provide a good lay bin asap. No idea when she’ll be needing to lay eggs, but is best to have everything ready to help prevent any issues. I would also advise to do a full husbandry review just to be absolutely sure that everything is as close to perfect as possible for her. You’d need to answer all of the following questions and include some pics of her entire enclosure and then one of us can go thru and see if and what improvements are needed, if any.
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.
--------------
Please Note:
- The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
- Photos can be very helpful.
Reyrots8
New Member
my chameleon was guessed to be around 3 months at purchase gender is most likely female from what I’ve figured here. I was told they were male at purchase. I’ve had her for around 3 months so 6 months is assumed though I got her from a pet store. I try to avoid handling if I do handle it’s pretty infrequent. Currently med to large crickets I’ve switched it from 10 to 5 this week because I’ve been getting concerned on feeding. I also feed her meal worms and wax worms (wax worms are barley fed to her) discoid roaches are also on the list but I’ve been trying to breed them so I don’t feed her them often. I use zoo med calcium and vitamins with D3, calcium’s everyday. Vitamins with D3 are only twice a month. I use a zoo med fogger plus misting with a spray bottle. Feces is normal though her urine has always had a bit of yellow on it I’ve been trying to up the water but she barely drinks from her dripper and i use the fogger at night an mist 2-3 times a day. Shes never been tested for parasites. Shes from pet supplies plus.I’m pretty certain your little beauty is a girl and as she’s already got her patterns, make sure to provide a good lay bin asap. No idea when she’ll be needing to lay eggs, but is best to have everything ready to help prevent any issues. I would also advise to do a full husbandry review just to be absolutely sure that everything is as close to perfect as possible for her. You’d need to answer all of the following questions and include some pics of her entire enclosure and then one of us can go thru and see if and what improvements are needed, if any.
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.
--------------
Please Note:
- The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
- Photos can be very helpful.
My cage is a zoo med XL screen cage it’s dimensions are 24 L 24 W 48 H I use a zoo med 5.0 for lighting I give her 12 hours night 12 hours day. I measure temps day temps are 84 to 86 night temps are 74 to 80 basking spot is 86 to 90. Humidity is normally 50-60% during the day and at night 70 to 100%. I use live plants 2 pothos a hibiscus three wandering Jews one nerve plant and a maidens hair. My cage is in my bedroom on the floor (looking for a table to elevate it on Facebook marketplace) I can’t measure the cage of current I’m on vacation chameleon did come with and is in a temp cage. at night I put a fan next to the cage to lower temps I live in America in FL. Currently I was here for age an gender and general care for females I don’t really have any concerns now tho. The patterns she has have been there since she was itty bitty tho only real difference is size and claws currently. Can’t provide photos of her enclosure since I’m on vacation. Shes in a temporary enclosure right now.
Reyrots8
New Member
The most recent ones are because she dislikes handling and is in a temporary cage. The ones where Shes in her cage Shes at her basking spot.
GrannyK
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hey there! Is your uvb light compact or the linear? Pet stores usually send the compact. If it’s compact (the screw in) chances are she is not getting correct uvb and has a risk of developing mbd. Those lights and fixtures only provide proper uvb to about 3 inches below screen. Even though it’s bright it’s not giving the strength needed. If it’s the 5% linear as long as it’s the ho uvb you should be ok.
Reyrots8
New Member
It’s linear
LizardLurkin
Avid Member
@Reyrots8
My responses will be in bold.
my chameleon was guessed to be around 3 months at purchase gender is most likely female from what I’ve figured here. I was told they were male at purchase. I’ve had her for around 3 months so 6 months is assumed though I got her from a pet store.
If she is indeed around six months, please do carefully read the contents of this link: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ Female veiled chameleons will lay eggs even without a male. It's best to get a lay box in her home sooner so she's familiar with it.
Currently med to large crickets I’ve switched it from 10 to 5 this week because I’ve been getting concerned on feeding. I also feed her meal worms and wax worms (wax worms are barley fed to her) discoid roaches are also on the list but I’ve been trying to breed them so I don’t feed her them often. I use zoo med calcium and vitamins with D3, calcium’s everyday. Vitamins with D3 are only twice a month.
I am not keen on when feeding is cut back for girlies so I'll @MissSkittles for this. Here's a helpful couple images for feeders. You don't mention gutloading at all, but it is very important to gutload your feeders prior to feeding. Attached is a list for the best gutloading options. As a bonus, this video goes over gutload icecubes, which you can freeze and store for up to 6 months. What I do is, the night before, I grab my feeder roaches, put them in a cup with some of the shaved off gutload ice cube, and cover that cup until it's time to feed them off the next day (remove the gutload before adding it to your chameleon's enclosure.)
Feces is normal though her urine has always had a bit of yellow on it I’ve been trying to up the water but she barely drinks from her dripper and i use the fogger at night an mist 2-3 times a day. Shes never been tested for parasites.
A little bit of yellow is usually fine, but to say "always" concerns me. What's the ratio of yellow to white? Is it mostly yellow? Or is it just yellow near where it connects to the feces?
The trust is, you will hardly see a chameleon drink. At least, I've yet to witness this myself. I hear it's super rare! It is good to offer a dripper on a daily basis. You want to make sure the dripper is landing on a branch or leaf, as this is what's natural for them.
When do you mist? And for how long? It's the standard to mist in the morning, and then in the evening. The morning misting session would be best to start 30-40 minutes after the lights have turned on, and the night sessions, 30 minutes before the lights go off. These misting sessions should last 3 to 4 minutes. This is long enough to trigger the drinking response in chameleons.
Most here will encourage you to not use a fogger if your temps exceed 67 fahrenheit.
My cage is a zoo med XL screen cage it’s dimensions are 24 L 24 W 48 H
Perfect size.
I use a zoo med 5.0 for lighting I give her 12 hours night 12 hours day.
So, the coil UVB bulbs are unfortunately inadequate. Without proper UVB, your chameleon is going to develop MBD.
You need a linear UVB, and the chameleon tested and approved bulbs are the Reptisun t5HO 5.0 and the arcadia 6%
Without a solarmeter, it is recommended for you to replace reptisun bulbs every 6 months, with arcadia bulbs being said to last a full year.
I measure temps day temps are 84 to 86 night temps are 74 to 80 basking spot is 86 to 90. Humidity is normally 50-60% during the day and at night 70 to 100%.
How are you measuring your temps?
Unfortunately, this temperature is very inappropriate. You want the enclosure's ambient temps to sit comfortably in the mid 70s, with the basking (for female) not exceeding 80. You likely need a lower wattage for your basking lamp bulb.
The humidity is also too high in the day. You want 40-50%, as a golden rule. Now, it's also possible that your humidity is reading higher if the hygrometer is tucked in or really close by to a plant. Something to consider!
I use live plants 2 pothos a hibiscus three wandering Jews one nerve plant and a maidens hair.
The enclosure in your photos looks very bare. More plants is important, buuuut I'd really recommend going outside, grabbing a ton of sticks, and processing them, for free! This is the fun part of having a chameleon. You get stick-vision. "Oh that's a nice branch!"
Here's a list of reptile safe branches, and reptile no-no branches:
You can bake the shorter branches in the oven for two hours at 250 degrees fahrenheit to sterilize them. Admittedly, I just rinsed mine in the tub with the shower on over head, scrubbing them hard with dawn dish soap and washing them thoroughly. I let them dry a bit before adding them to the enclosure. But how do you affix sticks to a screen cage? Great question. This video goes over a few strategies, though I'm linking directly to the method I used:
I used zip ties on the inside of the cage, with thin, strong fishing line to affix the support branches in each of the four corners to the screen at several places. It is a big DIY project, but climbing branches is what chameleons do. They need those highways. They need their appointed basking branch (8 inches below the linear UVB). It's important!
This is what the foundation of my enclosure looked like in its early stages, but that might help to give you an idea of how to structure things:
Here's also a video on how to attach plants to the enclosure: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG8iVn8tT9w
My cage is in my bedroom on the floor (looking for a table to elevate it on Facebook marketplace) I can’t measure the cage of current I’m on vacation chameleon did come with and is in a temp cage.
It's important to have the cage high for the chameleon to feel secure. I hope you find something on facebook marketplace soon.
If you bought the chameleon kit, it's probably the 18x18x36 sized cage. Not terrible temporarily but the chameleon would appreciate the larger enclosure.
Also, the hammock isn't a good idea in general. I know for species like leopard geckos and bearded dragons, these have been known to rip claws out.
at night I put a fan next to the cage to lower temps I live in America in FL.
Not a bad idea as long as it's not pointed directly at the enclosure. @MissSkittles is also a floridian who may be able to offer wisdoms in how she beats, or at least mitigates, the heat.
Currently I was here for age an gender and general care for females I don’t really have any concerns now tho.
I know I wrote a lot of words, but following this advice will ensure there is no problems in the future.
My responses will be in bold.
my chameleon was guessed to be around 3 months at purchase gender is most likely female from what I’ve figured here. I was told they were male at purchase. I’ve had her for around 3 months so 6 months is assumed though I got her from a pet store.
If she is indeed around six months, please do carefully read the contents of this link: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ Female veiled chameleons will lay eggs even without a male. It's best to get a lay box in her home sooner so she's familiar with it.
Currently med to large crickets I’ve switched it from 10 to 5 this week because I’ve been getting concerned on feeding. I also feed her meal worms and wax worms (wax worms are barley fed to her) discoid roaches are also on the list but I’ve been trying to breed them so I don’t feed her them often. I use zoo med calcium and vitamins with D3, calcium’s everyday. Vitamins with D3 are only twice a month.
I am not keen on when feeding is cut back for girlies so I'll @MissSkittles for this. Here's a helpful couple images for feeders. You don't mention gutloading at all, but it is very important to gutload your feeders prior to feeding. Attached is a list for the best gutloading options. As a bonus, this video goes over gutload icecubes, which you can freeze and store for up to 6 months. What I do is, the night before, I grab my feeder roaches, put them in a cup with some of the shaved off gutload ice cube, and cover that cup until it's time to feed them off the next day (remove the gutload before adding it to your chameleon's enclosure.)
Feces is normal though her urine has always had a bit of yellow on it I’ve been trying to up the water but she barely drinks from her dripper and i use the fogger at night an mist 2-3 times a day. Shes never been tested for parasites.
A little bit of yellow is usually fine, but to say "always" concerns me. What's the ratio of yellow to white? Is it mostly yellow? Or is it just yellow near where it connects to the feces?
The trust is, you will hardly see a chameleon drink. At least, I've yet to witness this myself. I hear it's super rare! It is good to offer a dripper on a daily basis. You want to make sure the dripper is landing on a branch or leaf, as this is what's natural for them.
When do you mist? And for how long? It's the standard to mist in the morning, and then in the evening. The morning misting session would be best to start 30-40 minutes after the lights have turned on, and the night sessions, 30 minutes before the lights go off. These misting sessions should last 3 to 4 minutes. This is long enough to trigger the drinking response in chameleons.
Most here will encourage you to not use a fogger if your temps exceed 67 fahrenheit.
My cage is a zoo med XL screen cage it’s dimensions are 24 L 24 W 48 H
Perfect size.
I use a zoo med 5.0 for lighting I give her 12 hours night 12 hours day.
So, the coil UVB bulbs are unfortunately inadequate. Without proper UVB, your chameleon is going to develop MBD.
You need a linear UVB, and the chameleon tested and approved bulbs are the Reptisun t5HO 5.0 and the arcadia 6%
Without a solarmeter, it is recommended for you to replace reptisun bulbs every 6 months, with arcadia bulbs being said to last a full year.
I measure temps day temps are 84 to 86 night temps are 74 to 80 basking spot is 86 to 90. Humidity is normally 50-60% during the day and at night 70 to 100%.
How are you measuring your temps?
Unfortunately, this temperature is very inappropriate. You want the enclosure's ambient temps to sit comfortably in the mid 70s, with the basking (for female) not exceeding 80. You likely need a lower wattage for your basking lamp bulb.
The humidity is also too high in the day. You want 40-50%, as a golden rule. Now, it's also possible that your humidity is reading higher if the hygrometer is tucked in or really close by to a plant. Something to consider!
I use live plants 2 pothos a hibiscus three wandering Jews one nerve plant and a maidens hair.
The enclosure in your photos looks very bare. More plants is important, buuuut I'd really recommend going outside, grabbing a ton of sticks, and processing them, for free! This is the fun part of having a chameleon. You get stick-vision. "Oh that's a nice branch!"
Here's a list of reptile safe branches, and reptile no-no branches:
You can bake the shorter branches in the oven for two hours at 250 degrees fahrenheit to sterilize them. Admittedly, I just rinsed mine in the tub with the shower on over head, scrubbing them hard with dawn dish soap and washing them thoroughly. I let them dry a bit before adding them to the enclosure. But how do you affix sticks to a screen cage? Great question. This video goes over a few strategies, though I'm linking directly to the method I used:
I used zip ties on the inside of the cage, with thin, strong fishing line to affix the support branches in each of the four corners to the screen at several places. It is a big DIY project, but climbing branches is what chameleons do. They need those highways. They need their appointed basking branch (8 inches below the linear UVB). It's important!
This is what the foundation of my enclosure looked like in its early stages, but that might help to give you an idea of how to structure things:
Here's also a video on how to attach plants to the enclosure: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG8iVn8tT9w
My cage is in my bedroom on the floor (looking for a table to elevate it on Facebook marketplace) I can’t measure the cage of current I’m on vacation chameleon did come with and is in a temp cage.
It's important to have the cage high for the chameleon to feel secure. I hope you find something on facebook marketplace soon.
If you bought the chameleon kit, it's probably the 18x18x36 sized cage. Not terrible temporarily but the chameleon would appreciate the larger enclosure.
Also, the hammock isn't a good idea in general. I know for species like leopard geckos and bearded dragons, these have been known to rip claws out.
at night I put a fan next to the cage to lower temps I live in America in FL.
Not a bad idea as long as it's not pointed directly at the enclosure. @MissSkittles is also a floridian who may be able to offer wisdoms in how she beats, or at least mitigates, the heat.
Currently I was here for age an gender and general care for females I don’t really have any concerns now tho.
I know I wrote a lot of words, but following this advice will ensure there is no problems in the future.
