I just adopted this boy from family that couldn’t take care of him. He’s my first reptile but I’m determined to give him the best life I can!
- Thread starter ilovehouseplants
- Start date
ilovehouseplants
Member
His enclosure is clearly not ideal. It is what came with him from the past owner. I just put in a branch and his first live plant today, but I don’t want to add too much that will stress him out more. Oh, and if you guys have any recommendations on where to get live bugs I would really appreciate it.
BostonKeith
Avid Member
welcome to the forums! Im on mobile right now and cant copy and paste a husbandry form for you! Im positive a member will beat me to it before i get home. 
As for live bugs! You can google any reptile shop and give them a call to see what feeders they offer. Petco and petsmart near me carry crickets dubias and even pheonix worms! They also have supers and mealies as well. Just call around the local reptile shops first as i usually have got healthier feeders from local shops.
As for live bugs! You can google any reptile shop and give them a call to see what feeders they offer. Petco and petsmart near me carry crickets dubias and even pheonix worms! They also have supers and mealies as well. Just call around the local reptile shops first as i usually have got healthier feeders from local shops.
Last edited:
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hi and welcome! You have definitely found the correct place to help you to give this fella the best life. The best way to determine what you know and where we can help is by a husbandry review. Copy/paste the following with your answers and then we can get started.
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
--------------
Please Note:
You have definitely found the correct place to help you to give this fella the best life. The best way to determine what you know and where we can help is by a husbandry review. Copy/paste the following with your answers and then we can get started.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.
ilovehouseplants
Member
I think this is the husbandry form? I’m not sure where to answer so I thought I’d just put it here.welcome to the forums! Im on mobile right now and cant copy and paste a husbandry form for you! Im positive a member will beat me to it before i get home.
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?
3-5 bugs every 2-3 days. I plan to use horn worms and superworms occasionally, mainly dubia roaches and crickets. Gut-loading with fresh veggies etc.
- 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?
BostonKeith
Avid Member
Nothing wrong here!
I would eventually invest in a automatic mister and set it on a timer
large or x large large is 18 x 18 xl is 24x24
what type arcadia reflector? type of bulb 5.0 or 10 6% or 12%
Basking temps are spot on
Temps can go a lower if you like at night. Low 60s would be fine and they will benefit from the temp drop.
recommend at least 2 temp and humidity gauges. One at top near basking and one on the bottom about a foot off the floor.
Awsome. Plants are great!
Here you go If anyone has any improvements please chime in. Did my best!
BostonKeith
Avid Member
will also add more roads for your dude! More plants never hurt either. Tend to realize my veiled likes her paths kinda clear and free of leaves sitting on her footholds. When i trim everything its awsome to see her go explore the old trails that got grown in!
ERKleRose
Chameleon Enthusiast
One thing to add is that veileds eat fake plants, which can cause impaction and lead to death, so only veiled-tested chameleon safe plants should be used. I'd also take him to an experienced chameleon vet for a general check-up, bloodwork, x-rays, and a fecal (bring a fresh poop with you, I know it's weird 
but that's how they're tested for parasites, try to drop off at least 2 more after to make sure no parasites were missed). Let us know if you want some cage set-up links, too!
but that's how they're tested for parasites, try to drop off at least 2 more after to make sure no parasites were missed). Let us know if you want some cage set-up links, too!
ilovehouseplants
Member
Thanks! The enclosure is a large 18x18, the bulb is a reptisun 5.0, not sure which percentage but I think 6%Nothing wrong here!
I would eventually invest in a automatic mister and set it on a timer
large or x large large is 18 x 18 xl is 24x24
what type arcadia reflector? type of bulb 5.0 or 10 6% or 12%
Basking temps are spot on
Temps can go a lower if you like at night. Low 60s would be fine and they will benefit from the temp drop.
recommend at least 2 temp and humidity gauges. One at top near basking and one on the bottom about a foot off the floor.
Awsome. Plants are great!
Here you go If anyone has any improvements please chime in. Did my best!
ERKleRose
Chameleon Enthusiast
He'll need to be upgraded to a larger cage, a minimum of 2'x2'x4' tall, but preferably 4'x2'x4' tall or larger. If you turn off the bulb and take it out (if the info is twisted under the reflector) it'll say the brand, T5 HO, then the strength. If it says Arcadia 6% (replace it yearly) or Zoo Med 5.0 (replace it every 6 months), the distance from the UVB bulb to his basking branch should be 8-9" away if you're not measuring with a Solarmeter 6.5. Sorry, one more thing, I know you've been inundated with tons of info and feedback, but how long do you mist him for?
BostonKeith
Avid Member
Did not notice his old burn on ridge of back. Looks like it healed nicely! Any info when that happened as i know you just got this guy?
ilovehouseplants
Member
Not anything that I know of except that the previous owner was using too strong of a uvb and heat bulb
ilovehouseplants
Member
I don’t actually have the bulb yet, I just ordered it yesterday but it is a zoo med 5.0. The one currently being used is a T8 Zilla bulb. And I’ve only been misting him for a few seconds, I wasn’t sure how long or how often I should do it for. I also have a humidifier I can put by the enclosure if that would help
BostonKeith
Avid Member
ERKleRose
Chameleon Enthusiast
If it's the Zilla T8, there could be plastic casing covering the bulb, so make sure to take that off it's there until his new bulb comes in. For misting, you should do at least 2 sessions, around lights on and lights off, 2-5+ minutes each, with another one in between if humidity is too low (30-50% during the day for a veiled). If you worry he's not getting enough water, you can add a dripper in one spot of the cage where the water droplets can hit leaves near the top of the cage and down. If your humidifier is cool-mist, you can use it at night if the temps are at or lower than 65°F! You can also do short mistings during the night to raise humidity, too (it's easiest with an automated mister for that).
ilovehouseplants
Member
Thank you! That helps a lot
