I'm Stumped?

[Powers]

We recently replaced our Ficus with an Arboricola. I posted a thread indicating that this seemes to have stressed my Chameleon. Everyone seemed to agree that after a few days he'd get used to the change. Well it's been 10 days, and he is still very dark (all day) and usually on the sides of his enclusre. (which is unusual for him) Below are several pics of my set up. Please let me know if you see anything you'd change. Thanks

Here's his enclosure...

His lighting...

And his basking temp and humidity...

Crickets are always made available to him in a container at the bottom of his cage. He receives his vitamins and supplements via dusting. I mist throughout the day (I have a Mist King on order) and plenty of sunlight comes through the window he is in front of. I should also mention that when we replaced the plant we also purchased a stand for his enclosure.

 

[martyllian]

move the other plant somewhere out of his/her view. He/she longs to be on that plant, and it is close enough for them to try to get to it.

I know norman hangs out on the side of his cage all the time if I have a plant anywhere near his cage.

same thing if I have his cage near a window

 

[jannb]

I think you could use more plants and branches for him to crawl on. I also think 94 is too hot for basking. I bask my guy at 87 to 88.

 

[Titan]

Ya know. You have the proper cage size, lighting, and vines. One thing I would personally advise, and I'm sure your Cham will love you for it. I would get a taller tree/bush that makes it nearly to the top. I'll post a pic of a Shefelera. (I'm no plant guy so spelling here may be way off). This style of plant is loved by my Chameleons. What you need to do is get abit more growth higher up in the cage with this, but trim (thin it out well before adding it!). You want your Cham to be able to move around within the branches fairly freely, but will still give it good security in cover. Actually and honestly a ficus works better for less trimming maintinence, as they are slower growers. Make sure to trim the tree well from around the basking area, only so that the Cham cannot sit to close to the light, (control that) But also leave the smaller plant you already have in the bottom and thin it within its branches some too. try that and see how well you Cham will react to his new inproved setup.
Note, one of my Panthers enjoying his tree, up in the left upper corner.

 

[Powers]

I think you could use more plants and branches for him to crawl on. I also think 94 is too hot for basking. I bask my guy at 87 to 88.

Hmmmm, most care sheet I've read say higher than 87 for basking (example 1 2 3)

I had another plant in there, but not much light was reaching the lower plant so we took it out. He has 3 vines in there already that he's not using, so I don't think he needs more, but I suppose its worth a try. What do you think about just on larger plant in there?

 

[Titan]

I see you missed my post while typing yours but this is exactly what you asked.
You can always raise the heat light up off the top to help keep a good distance.

 

[jannb]

I also free range my guys. They are much happier than being in a cage. If you bask them just a little lower it helps to extend their life. Jann
https://www.chameleonforums.com/who-else-keeping-their-13878/

 

[Powers]

I see you missed my post while typing yours but this is exactly what you asked.
You can always raise the heat light up off the top to help keep a good distance.

Woops, I did miss your first post, just read it now. I think thats the way to go, thanks for the advice

 

[Titan]

Come back to this in a couple days and let us know how the new set up works for your Cham. But do give it a couple days to settle in.

 

[jojackson]

Is the white board on the floor just sitting there? Is there screen underneath? You might find water accumulates. Once you start a dripper going, Its only so long before the plant gets saturated and stops soaking up the water. "straight through' drainage (screen bottom with collection tray) works well , I assume your misting but this may not be enough as the cham gets bigger and a dripper may be a better option then.

p.s I love the bird ladder! I just use sticks myself. How does he negotiate it?

This is close to the spoon fed cham!

 

[Docility]

im surprised no on pointed out there is a dog cage right next to him either. his new plant may not give him the same height/cover so he may see that big beast running around and feel he cant escape him anymore

 

[Powers]

im surprised no on pointed out there is a dog cage right next to him either. his new plant may not give him the same height/cover so he may see that big beast running around and feel he cant escape him anymore

I also excpected everyone to point that out. I didn't even realize it till I posted the pics. We moved the cage into that room the day I posted those pictures because we wanted him in front of a window, he's not next to a dog, he was just next to an empty god cage for that particular afternoon.

p.s I love the bird ladder! I just use sticks myself. How does he negotiate it?

The ladder was just recently put in there, I caught him on it once while he was eating, he just had his front legs on the ladder, his tail and back legs were still on the plant. I'm hoping to see him go up or down it sooner or later.

Sooooo, I took the advice about moving the other plant into the enclosure, and thinning them out so he can move around them. Here are is a pic of the end result, I'll update his behavior in a few days.

 

[martyllian]

was that plant that is on the bottom repotted at all? that looks like the original pot that a lot of plants come in from the store.


If they were not re potted , you may wish to do so soon. Storebought plants have pesticide balls, fertilizer and plant food in their soil

 

[Powers]

was that plant that is on the bottom repotted at all? that looks like the original pot that a lot of plants come in from the store.


If they were not re potted , you may wish to do so soon. Storebought plants have pesticide balls, fertilizer and plant food in their soil

Yes the plant was removed from the pot, the pot was cleaned, and organic soil was put in.

 

[Powers]

Update

So I said I would give an update in a few days, so here it is. Napoleon is doing much better, I'm convinced that the plants were just too think and dense so he just avoided them. Since trimming them he has been spending much more time in the plants, he is back to a nice color green and is eating like a pig. Thanks for the help.

Here he is enjoying his newly trimmed plants, and some natural sunlight:

 

[blackbetty]

Ya know. You have the proper cage size, lighting, and vines. One thing I would personally advise, and I'm sure your Cham will love you for it. I would get a taller tree/bush that makes it nearly to the top. I'll post a pic of a Shefelera. (I'm no plant guy so spelling here may be way off). This style of plant is loved by my Chameleons. What you need to do is get abit more growth higher up in the cage with this, but trim (thin it out well before adding it!). You want your Cham to be able to move around within the branches fairly freely, but will still give it good security in cover. Actually and honestly a ficus works better for less trimming maintinence, as they are slower growers. Make sure to trim the tree well from around the basking area, only so that the Cham cannot sit to close to the light, (control that) But also leave the smaller plant you already have in the bottom and thin it within its branches some too. try that and see how well you Cham will react to his new inproved setup.
Note, one of my Panthers enjoying his tree, up in the left upper corner.

Titan, thats what I put in Leos cage and got a bunch of flack for it saying the topiary ones are not acceptable?

 

[nick barta]

We recently replaced our Ficus with an Arboricola. I posted a thread indicating that this seemes to have stressed my Chameleon. Everyone seemed to agree that after a few days he'd get used to the change. Well it's been 10 days, and he is still very dark (all day) and usually on the sides of his enclusre. (which is unusual for him) Below are several pics of my set up. Please let me know if you see anything you'd change. Thanks

Here's his enclosure...

His lighting...

And his basking temp and humidity...

Crickets are always made available to him in a container at the bottom of his cage. He receives his vitamins and supplements via dusting. I mist throughout the day (I have a Mist King on order) and plenty of sunlight comes through the window he is in front of. I should also mention that when we replaced the plant we also purchased a stand for his enclosure.

Powers,

Your basking temperature is @ 94.4 degrees, but that thermometer looks to be about 18 inches below the basking bulb. My guess is your basking temp on the top vine is really cooking! I think if you lowered the bulb to a 40 or 65 watt, your Cham would use the upper part of the cage more, and if there were plants at that heigth also, he definately would use more of his enclosure. Taller stands would accomplish this so you don't have to buy more plants!!

Nick

 

[Powers]

Powers,

Your basking temperature is @ 94.4 degrees, but that thermometer looks to be about 18 inches below the basking bulb. My guess is your basking temp on the top vine is really cooking! I think if you lowered the bulb to a 40 or 65 watt, your Cham would use the upper part of the cage more, and if there were plants at that heigth also, he definately would use more of his enclosure. Taller stands would accomplish this so you don't have to buy more plants!!

Nick

That is a thermometer with a sensor attached to a long cord. If you look in the below pic you can see the cord running up the vine, and you can see that the sensor is right under the basking bulb.

 

[lanceman]

Good to hear hes doin better and thats all it took to make it happen.

 

[nick barta]

That is a thermometer with a sensor attached to a long cord. If you look in the below pic you can see the cord running up the vine, and you can see that the sensor is right under the basking bulb.

DUH!! SORRY!!

Nick