husbandry

AmandaS

Retired Moderator
Your Chameleon - Veiled, Female, not sure of age but about 5 inches not including tail
Handling -often i do hand feeding and have held a few times, but she is still sketchy of me and i do not want to stress her too much. mostly hand feeding and slowly petting is her handling.
Feeding - using that green gutload from petco for crickets and wax worms, have fed some superworms but makes me nervous. she eats about 15 crickets, 4 wax worms, and the occassional super worm everyday
Supplements -zoomeds reptivite only 2-3 times a week
Watering - often see my cham drinking. use the reptirain mister in 2 spots in the cage, once an hour for 15 seconds
Fecal Description - moist, but not runny. brown slimy side and yellowish whiteish slimey side
History - came from Petco, where the pets SHOULDNT go
Cage Info: Largest ReptiBreeze cham kit cage, but will upgrade eventually
Lighting - Just using the ones that came in the kit right now, intend to get the bar i keep seeing, what is the best brand and watt
Temperature - basking temp is 85, mid level basking is about 75 and the very bottom of cage is about 68-70

Plants -no live palnts yet
Placement - Sitting on an old heater in the kitchen. warmest place. about 3 ft off the ground
Location - Twentynine Palms, Ca. [southern Cali]
Current Problem - Not too concerned, just would like to be MORE educated.
 

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If her body is about 5 inches I am going to say she is about 5 months old.

So that is an excellent link Brody posted for you with tons of fantastic podcasts.
As far as what I am seeing.
The lighting needs to be upgraded asap. If you plan on going to a 24x24x48 cage then you will want to get a 24 inch T5HO fixture with either a 10.0 zoo med UVB bulb or a 12% arcadia bulb. lightyourreptiles.com sells the arcadia ones and fixtures. The larger fixture can overhang a bit without worry.

You will want to lower that top basking branch to about 7 inches down. It is really high and she could suffer a thermal burn from the lighting being that close.

I would remove all substrate from the bottom. Since it is not a full bioactive set up it will be a breeding ground for bacteria.

The reptivite... I think it says with D3 on it if that is the case you want to only give that 2 times a month alternating with a multivitamin 2 times a month. You will need a calcium without D3 for nearly every other feeding.

waxworms should be fed as treats here and there they are high in fat content.

What are your humidity levels? How often are you misting and for how long?


Here are additional resource images and a few good links. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/egg-laying-and-the-laying-bin.345/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Supplements pic.jpeg
Gutloading 101.jpeg
UVB lighting pic.jpeg
nonUVB pic.jpeg
Basic Feeder pic.jpeg
 
That was so much more helpful than anything the pet stote people have said, which is why i joined this forum. With all my other pets I have learned more as I have had them but the chameleon seems to be so particular.
 
That was so much more helpful than anything the pet stote people have said, which is why i joined this forum. With all my other pets I have learned more as I have had them but the chameleon seems to be so particular.
Yes, no worries I would say about 90% of us come into this not knowing what we need to.
This may be of assistance to you as well and is something I put together:


Cage 24x24x48 like this https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Rept...&sprefix=extra+large+reptibre,aps,204&sr=8-11

Drip tray you can buy for these is like a hotwater heater pan...

or you can spend more and get a better quality with drip tray for the water to collect like so in screen or clearside. The dragon ledges help attach potted plants higher in the cage. But he builds in a schedule so you have to pre order and wait to get your cham. or you can buy the drip tray from dragon strand and the ledges and get the reptibreeze cage.

https://dragonstrand.com/screen-cages-2/

FYI You will want to wrap at least the back and one side panel if not both of the cage in clear plastic like a shower curtain and attach with magnets so the water does not spray out.

Lighting for UVB and plant growth is dual or quad T5 HO fixture. You can look on lightyourreptiles.com These need to be the 24 inch fixture. UVB bulb you get will depend on the species of cham you get.

Heat lamp I would recommend a: https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Rept...&s=gateway&sprefix=fukers+dimm,aps,208&sr=8-1

Dimming Thermostat for Heat lamp can be used with any dome light and ensures you will not bake your cham as it will keep your bulb at the exact temp you need it at basking. https://www.joshsfrogs.com/instantsearchplus/result/?q=thermostat

bulb for it is your preference but I am partial to zilla brand day light white: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SRUU32/ref=twister_B07C8WY1XN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

May need timers for different fixtures as well. 12 hour on and off for lights on chams.

Automatic mister a must have in my opinion. https://www.amazon.com/MistKing-222...=gateway&sprefix=mistking+stra,aps,206&sr=8-1

hydrometer and thermometer to measure heat and humidity you want a few to get different levels. Most use a wired thermometer at basking level then a non wired other area : https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-drt-1...reptiles&qid=1552311763&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2

and https://www.amazon.com/Alfie-Pet-Pe...eptiles&qid=1552311838&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-18

Live plants like Pothos or dwarf umbrella plants. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/plants/

If you get a veiled you have to put large 1inch or bigger river rock in the top so they don't eat the soil. :)

Vines and branches for horizontal pathways in different sizes for grip: https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Ju...nes&qid=1552311902&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1&th=1

And then you need a multivitamin to give 2 times a month every other week, Calcium with D3 to give 2 times a month the opposite every other week, and then a calcium without D3 used nearly every feeding. See image below.

Feeders: Need to offer variety. See image below. can buy feeders from a site sponsor or rainbowmealworms.com

Feeder containers: I have bought my own as well as converted plastic tubs to hold them. I like these but the large size only if I buy one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073KOGOG/ref=twister_B06X9LKF3Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Feeder food: something like Repashy Bug burger, cricket crack, or insect fuel from Arcadia brand if you want a predone instead of fresh veg and fruit everyday. see image below for feeder food

Buying your cham.... do your research and do not buy from petco, petsmart, chain stores, etc. They can have health issues and cost you quite a bit to repair the damage done. We have site sponsors and some wonderful forum members as well such as @Matt Vanilla Gorilla (breeds panthers multiple locales)

Link to panther care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

Link to veiled care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
 
Yes, no worries I would say about 90% of us come into this not knowing what we need to.
This may be of assistance to you as well and is something I put together:


Cage 24x24x48 like this https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiBreeze-Screen-48-Inches/dp/B001PHABI8/ref=sr_1_11?crid=750TXFPLI11X&keywords=extra+large+reptibreeze&qid=1552311072&s=gateway&sprefix=extra+large+reptibre,aps,204&sr=8-11

Drip tray you can buy for these is like a hotwater heater pan...

or you can spend more and get a better quality with drip tray for the water to collect like so in screen or clearside. The dragon ledges help attach potted plants higher in the cage. But he builds in a schedule so you have to pre order and wait to get your cham. or you can buy the drip tray from dragon strand and the ledges and get the reptibreeze cage.

https://dragonstrand.com/screen-cages-2/

FYI You will want to wrap at least the back and one side panel if not both of the cage in clear plastic like a shower curtain and attach with magnets so the water does not spray out.

Lighting for UVB and plant growth is dual or quad T5 HO fixture. You can look on lightyourreptiles.com These need to be the 24 inch fixture. UVB bulb you get will depend on the species of cham you get.

Heat lamp I would recommend a: https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Repta-Clamp-8-5-Inch-Ceramic-Dimmable/dp/B003H200QC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8HVMEZI2QMV3&keywords=flukers+dimmable+heat+lamp&qid=1552311478&s=gateway&sprefix=fukers+dimm,aps,208&sr=8-1

Dimming Thermostat for Heat lamp can be used with any dome light and ensures you will not bake your cham as it will keep your bulb at the exact temp you need it at basking. https://www.joshsfrogs.com/instantsearchplus/result/?q=thermostat

bulb for it is your preference but I am partial to zilla brand day light white: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SRUU32/ref=twister_B07C8WY1XN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

May need timers for different fixtures as well. 12 hour on and off for lights on chams.

Automatic mister a must have in my opinion. https://www.amazon.com/MistKing-22251-Starter-Misting-System/dp/B012IAK4SC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HEHG6S2ENP0I&keywords=mistking+starter+misting+system&qid=1552311288&s=gateway&sprefix=mistking+stra,aps,206&sr=8-1

hydrometer and thermometer to measure heat and humidity you want a few to get different levels. Most use a wired thermometer at basking level then a non wired other area : https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-drt-1...reptiles&qid=1552311763&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2

and https://www.amazon.com/Alfie-Pet-Pe...eptiles&qid=1552311838&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-18

Live plants like Pothos or dwarf umbrella plants. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/plants/

If you get a veiled you have to put large 1inch or bigger river rock in the top so they don't eat the soil. :)

Vines and branches for horizontal pathways in different sizes for grip: https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Jungle-Vine-Large/dp/B003PB4VSS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=exo+terra+vines&qid=1552311902&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1&th=1

And then you need a multivitamin to give 2 times a month every other week, Calcium with D3 to give 2 times a month the opposite every other week, and then a calcium without D3 used nearly every feeding. See image below.

Feeders: Need to offer variety. See image below. can buy feeders from a site sponsor or rainbowmealworms.com

Feeder containers: I have bought my own as well as converted plastic tubs to hold them. I like these but the large size only if I buy one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073KOGOG/ref=twister_B06X9LKF3Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Feeder food: something like Repashy Bug burger, cricket crack, or insect fuel from Arcadia brand if you want a predone instead of fresh veg and fruit everyday. see image below for feeder food

Buying your cham.... do your research and do not buy from petco, petsmart, chain stores, etc. They can have health issues and cost you quite a bit to repair the damage done. We have site sponsors and some wonderful forum members as well such as @Matt Vanilla Gorilla (breeds panthers multiple locales)

Link to panther care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

Link to veiled care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
you gotta love all that info!!!
 
Yes, no worries I would say about 90% of us come into this not knowing what we need to.
This may be of assistance to you as well and is something I put together:


Cage 24x24x48 like this https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiBreeze-Screen-48-Inches/dp/B001PHABI8/ref=sr_1_11?crid=750TXFPLI11X&keywords=extra+large+reptibreeze&qid=1552311072&s=gateway&sprefix=extra+large+reptibre,aps,204&sr=8-11

Drip tray you can buy for these is like a hotwater heater pan...

or you can spend more and get a better quality with drip tray for the water to collect like so in screen or clearside. The dragon ledges help attach potted plants higher in the cage. But he builds in a schedule so you have to pre order and wait to get your cham. or you can buy the drip tray from dragon strand and the ledges and get the reptibreeze cage.

https://dragonstrand.com/screen-cages-2/

FYI You will want to wrap at least the back and one side panel if not both of the cage in clear plastic like a shower curtain and attach with magnets so the water does not spray out.

Lighting for UVB and plant growth is dual or quad T5 HO fixture. You can look on lightyourreptiles.com These need to be the 24 inch fixture. UVB bulb you get will depend on the species of cham you get.

Heat lamp I would recommend a: https://www.amazon.com/Flukers-Repta-Clamp-8-5-Inch-Ceramic-Dimmable/dp/B003H200QC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8HVMEZI2QMV3&keywords=flukers+dimmable+heat+lamp&qid=1552311478&s=gateway&sprefix=fukers+dimm,aps,208&sr=8-1

Dimming Thermostat for Heat lamp can be used with any dome light and ensures you will not bake your cham as it will keep your bulb at the exact temp you need it at basking. https://www.joshsfrogs.com/instantsearchplus/result/?q=thermostat

bulb for it is your preference but I am partial to zilla brand day light white: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SRUU32/ref=twister_B07C8WY1XN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

May need timers for different fixtures as well. 12 hour on and off for lights on chams.

Automatic mister a must have in my opinion. https://www.amazon.com/MistKing-22251-Starter-Misting-System/dp/B012IAK4SC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HEHG6S2ENP0I&keywords=mistking+starter+misting+system&qid=1552311288&s=gateway&sprefix=mistking+stra,aps,206&sr=8-1

hydrometer and thermometer to measure heat and humidity you want a few to get different levels. Most use a wired thermometer at basking level then a non wired other area : https://www.amazon.com/Pangea-drt-1...reptiles&qid=1552311763&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2

and https://www.amazon.com/Alfie-Pet-Pe...eptiles&qid=1552311838&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-18

Live plants like Pothos or dwarf umbrella plants. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/plants/

If you get a veiled you have to put large 1inch or bigger river rock in the top so they don't eat the soil. :)

Vines and branches for horizontal pathways in different sizes for grip: https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Jungle-Vine-Large/dp/B003PB4VSS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=exo+terra+vines&qid=1552311902&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1&th=1

And then you need a multivitamin to give 2 times a month every other week, Calcium with D3 to give 2 times a month the opposite every other week, and then a calcium without D3 used nearly every feeding. See image below.

Feeders: Need to offer variety. See image below. can buy feeders from a site sponsor or rainbowmealworms.com

Feeder containers: I have bought my own as well as converted plastic tubs to hold them. I like these but the large size only if I buy one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073KOGOG/ref=twister_B06X9LKF3Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Feeder food: something like Repashy Bug burger, cricket crack, or insect fuel from Arcadia brand if you want a predone instead of fresh veg and fruit everyday. see image below for feeder food

Buying your cham.... do your research and do not buy from petco, petsmart, chain stores, etc. They can have health issues and cost you quite a bit to repair the damage done. We have site sponsors and some wonderful forum members as well such as @Matt Vanilla Gorilla (breeds panthers multiple locales)

Link to panther care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

Link to veiled care sheet: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
Thank you for always being so helpful to others! You rock!
 
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