Is my Senegal Chameleon sick??

[ivez21]

Hi I purchased a Senegal Chameleon from reptilecity.com on 9/8/2011. It got here 9/10/2011. The cham is still a baby and I had him in a 20 gallon tank with some fake plants, real plants, real branches, water bowl, bark and eco earth for the substrate and I feed him crickets and small superworms. I have a uvb light and a heat light that i keep on most of the day until sundown. The 1st day he was in his new habitat, he seemed fine. He ate crickets and I misted his tank a couple of times and I watched him drink from the bark and leaves. At the end of the day, I saw him poop and I cleaned it up right away. But yesterday he started looking lethargic. He sleeps during the day. Sometimes he opens his eyes but he always closes them after a few seconds. He also has spots on his body (Don't know if that's normal). I didn't see him eat yesterday or today. I've been doing some research and I found out that if a chameleon eats some of the bark he can become constipated and die. Then I remembered I saw my chameleon catch a cricket from the ground and some of the bark got into his mouth but he took most of it out. Soon after reading online about that, I took out the eco earth, bark and the live plants. So now my 20 gallon tank has the real branches, fake plants, bowl with small superworms, crickets, a water bowl (although I spray his tank 5 times a day), and nothing as his substrate(yet). I don't know what's wrong with him? Maybe it's stress from the new environment? Or could if be that hes constipated from eating some of the bark? Please answer back asap, thanks.

 

[carol5208]

Honestly fish tanks are not suitable habitats for chameleons. Either a reptarium or screen cage is the way to go. You get very little ventilation in a tank. We need to know your temps, humidity, what type of light you are using for basking, and most importantly if you have a UVB light. You were smart in removing the bark.

 

[suzi]

It would help if you fill this out

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[thatoneguy]

you dont need that water bowl, you need a dripper or something thats gonna move water for your cham to c it. they wont notice standing water. it could be that he is to stressed. to many changes to his tank. they get easily stressed and you say hes just a baby. just make sure hes getting ventilation and the right temps and humidity. if he doesnt seem more lively then you should probly go c a vet. im no expert and im far from it. thats just my opinion

 

[ivez21]

I'm not sure on of the temp or humidity because I haven't gotten the thermometer for him. I'm using a Sunbeam 75w for basking and a spiral fluorescent light bulb for the uvb. I keep both of the light bulbs in a double lamp holder.

 

[thatoneguy]

you say he is in a 20 gallon tank. glass?? i would think he might be getting to much heat. you need a taller enclosure so he can decide where he wants to be in relation to heat, and this will make your job wayyyyy easier cause you wont have to be so on it with the heat. the live plants also help with humidity so probly heep those in. you can cover the soil with rocks or any kind of cover if your concerned about him eating it. maybe a pic of your cam and enclosure would help alot

 

[ivez21]

 

[thatoneguy]

for some reason the pics didnt show

 

[ivez21]

1st day when he was active

another pic of the 1st day

2nd day, opened his eyes for a couple seconds then closed them right after

3rd day after taking out the bark and soil...sleeping during the day

 

[ivez21]

sorry for the huge pics..

 

[jade4321]

You need a screen cage, 18 by 20 high would be fine. you dont need a water bowl, even though i have seen my chameleon drink form one! who knew?

lol. anyways what are you gutloaders for your crickets? butternut squash and collard greens are a good staple diet. (for the crickets)

Im not of fan on mealworms (superworms) because of there hard exoskeleton makes it hard for the chameleon to digest, and gives them stomach aches.
Try some wax worms, there high in protein and good for fattening up chameleons.

how many times do you mist a day? and for how long? you dont want to mist to much because it can cause lung problems.

Do you have a nighttime light?

as far as humidity you can put some sphagnum moss on the bottom of the cage and it helps with humidity. It retains water so you shouldnt have to spray the sphagnum more then once or twice a day.

 

[thatoneguy]

i think its a she. at night are there lights or anyhting that could disturb her? when they sleep you shouldnt disturb them. i still think you need a screen cage. they arent exactly cheap but it will help. maybe take her outside during the day get her some natural light.

 

[camimom]

You need a screen cage, 18 by 20 high would be fine. you dont need a water bowl, even though i have seen my chameleon drink form one! who knew?

lol. anyways what are you gutloaders for your crickets? butternut squash and collard greens are a good staple diet. (for the crickets)

Im not of fan on mealworms (superworms) because of there hard exoskeleton makes it hard for the chameleon to digest, and gives them stomach aches.
Try some wax worms, there high in protein and good for fattening up chameleons.

how many times do you mist a day? and for how long? you dont want to mist to much because it can cause lung problems.

Do you have a nighttime light?

as far as humidity you can put some sphagnum moss on the bottom of the cage and it helps with humidity. It retains water so you shouldnt have to spray the sphagnum more then once or twice a day.

first, why are you asking if the OP has a night light? chams need darkness to sleep at night. no lights.
second- people often dont put anything on th ebottom of the cage because the cham can eat it.

 

[ivez21]

You need a screen cage, 18 by 20 high would be fine. you dont need a water bowl, even though i have seen my chameleon drink form one! who knew?

lol. anyways what are you gutloaders for your crickets? butternut squash and collard greens are a good staple diet. (for the crickets)

Im not of fan on mealworms (superworms) because of there hard exoskeleton makes it hard for the chameleon to digest, and gives them stomach aches.
Try some wax worms, there high in protein and good for fattening up chameleons.

how many times do you mist a day? and for how long? you dont want to mist to much because it can cause lung problems.

Do you have a nighttime light?

as far as humidity you can put some sphagnum moss on the bottom of the cage and it helps with humidity. It retains water so you shouldnt have to spray the sphagnum more then once or twice a day.

Yeah I've seen my chameleon drink from the water bowl too.. well ill try some waxworms next time i go to the pet store. I spray my tank about 3-5 times a day. I should consider putting moss since that always soaks up water.

 

[ivez21]

i think its a she. at night are there lights or anyhting that could disturb her? when they sleep you shouldnt disturb them. i still think you need a screen cage. they arent exactly cheap but it will help. maybe take her outside during the day get her some natural light.

nope.. it's all dark. yep i'm going to buy a screen cage as soon as i can. But still, do you think my chameleon is ok?

 

[ivez21]

Btw, what do you guys recommend on the substrate? I want to put live plants in but I can't with the reptile carpet..

 

[Carlton]

first, why are you asking if the OP has a night light? chams need darkness to sleep at night. no lights.
second- people often dont put anything on th ebottom of the cage because the cham can eat it.

Also, did I read the OP's first message that this is a baby? A glass tank with ventilation can be OK for a baby...just get your screen cage going.

You MUST measure the temp and humidity! Without knowing these vital signs we can't tell you if your cham is too hot, dehydrated, both of which are essential to its health. Tanks overheat easily which can also mean constant dehydration for a baby cham.

 

[thatoneguy]

you never know with a senegal. most of them are wild caught so they could have parasites. but if thats not the case she should be fine just try not to stress her out so much. i know every1 says no substrate but in MY experience i use the shredded coconut husks. but because i have that substrate i either hand or cup feed my graceful so there are no accidents witht he substrate, all my plants are live but i keep them in their pots. once again this is my experience. but other than that just try to read up on them as much as you can. and make sure if you suplement her not to give her anything with D3 everyday. only about twice a month. any other calcium about every other feeding

 

[Fearaffect]

Btw, what do you guys recommend on the substrate? I want to put live plants in but I can't with the reptile carpet..

No substrate....just 1 or 2 potted plants(organic soil) in a screened cage. Get one of them pump style misters(mr. lizard on LLL site is ok) so you can lock it on and let it mist from the pressure build up. Give the little critter time to acclimate.....

 

[ivez21]

I'll just wait it out. he/she seems to be doing fine but maybe it's just stressed by the new environment. i hope that's the case... i'll be getting the baby cham a screen cage very soon. :/