Introduction

spikeleebd · Jan 3, 2012

Hello everyone my name Alex and I'm new to the site i recently joined this forum because my love for herps has led me to get myself prepared for my next pet lizard but before i do that i want to learn all i can about chameleons before i acquire one

sandrachameleon · Jan 3, 2012

laurie · Jan 3, 2012

spikeleebd said:
Hello everyone my name Alex and I'm new to the site i recently joined this forum because my love for herps has led me to get myself prepared for my next pet lizard but before i do that i want to learn all i can about chameleons before i acquire one

Alex it is so nice to have you join us. It makes me feel good that a person cares to find out what they are getting into before they buy it. Sadly we have a lot of new people join when they have a chameleon already in trouble. Some we can help save their chams and some we can't.

But you will be ready before you leap into the deep end of the pool.

If you just spend some time reading a lot of posts you will be amazed at how much you can learn. I can attach some "light reading" to get you started. These are blogs by members, who may have different ideas. We have a lot of different ideas here so a bit of exposure to start you off - enjoy.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/pilotman800/548-new-chameleon-owner-information-husbandry.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...requently-asked-questions-health-illness.html

chamguy · Jan 3, 2012

Welcome to the forum!!.......Chameleons are very unique from any other reptile, or even lizards for that matter. They always catch your attention. I enjoy watching mine for hours.

You will find everything needed to get started on this forum with chameleons and more! The links given above is plenty for you to get started. Before you know it you will getting your own little guy.

K9Luvn · Jan 3, 2012

Welcome to the Forums

Your at the right place if you want to learn. Great people here that are very knowledgeable and passionate Chameleons. Just start reading the blogs, FAQ's the people have posted and you will learn all you need.

kinyonga · Jan 3, 2012

Welcome to the forum!
Here's some information I hope will help you ....
Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption.

Exposure to UVB from either direct sunlight or a proper UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system to make/keep the bones strong and be used in other systems in the chameleon as well. The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic no matter whether its from the sun or the UVB light. The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light. Some of the compacts, spirals and tube lights have caused health issues, but so far there have been no bad reports against this one.

A wide variety of insects that have been well fed and gutloaded should be fed to it.

Since many of the feeder insects we use in captivity have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus in them, its important to dust the insects just before you feed them to the chameleon at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to help make up for it. (I use Rep-cal phosphorus-free calcium).

If you also dust twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder it will ensure that your chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it. It leaves the chameleon to produce the rest of what it needs through its exposure to the UVB light. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 produced from exposure to UVB shouldn't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of it. (I use Rep-cal phos.-free calcium/D3).

Dusting twice a month as well with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A will ensure that the chameleon gets some vitamins without the danger of overdosing the vitamin A. PrEformed sources of vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD. However, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene and so some people give some prEformed vitamin A once in a while. (I use herptivite which has beta carotene.)

Gutloading/feeding the insects well helps to provide what the chameleon needs. I gutload crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with an assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.)

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are important players in bone health and other systems in the chameleon (muscles, etc.) and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them, you need to look at the supplements, what you feed the insects and what you feed the chameleon.
Please note that various supplements have various amounts of D3 and vitamin A and so some can be given more often than others. The idea still is not to overdo the fat soluble vitamins like D3 and prEformed vitamin A.

Here are some good sites for you to read too...
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebWheelock.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200406080...d.Calcium.html
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/
If you can't access the sites above that have the word "archive" in you can do it through the WayBackMachine.

Introduction

spikeleebd

New Member

sandrachameleon

Chameleon Enthusiast

laurie

Retired Moderator

chamguy

New Member

K9Luvn

Established Member

kinyonga

Chameleon Queen

Similar threads