Is this normal for a Veiled

[skip]

ok So I've had my male Veiled Chameleon for about 3 weeks and just the last couple of days I noticed him laying on his branch through the day. His eyes are open and he is still very alert and if I mist in his terrarium he will usually get up. but is this normal for them to lay down? any other time he would walk around or stand in one spot.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Syn]

Maybe he's just getting lazy, or he finally settled in?

 

[skip]

ya he is starting to get settled in, I was just a bit worried because I know if they sleep through the day its a bad sign I just wanted to make sure that laying down is not the first step towards sleeping lol.

but thank you for your quick repsonse.

Ryan

 

[Syn]

Is he closing his eyes?

 

[Lille]

If he's just sitting an relaxing he could be soaking up some UVB rays in peace. My little guy does it, I've had him for 4+ months. He just sits there watching everything around him right under his light. But like Syn said, if his eye's are closed and he's napping that could be a big issue.

 

[blackbetty]

My female does this.. I have a jacksons..she will just lounge..usually under the UVB..Its like they know when their body needs it and they take it in..My male will do this but at the entrance of his cage hoping Ill open it..

as long as it aint napping, you are good..Just chillin.

 

[skip]

hey thanks for the replies, he always has his eyes open in the daytime just laying around sometimes, usually doesn't actually sleep until his lights go out around 9:30 PM and is usually still sleeping until just before his lights go on at 7:30 AM

 

[leid]

Skip,

Your chameleon needs at least 12 hours of darkness. If you turn the light off at 9:30, it's best to turn them back on at 9:30 am.

 

[skip]

oh really thats nice to know, shows how much people at the pet store no lol, but thats great I had been reading quite a bit over the last month at figured that the lighting would be something I would not have to worry about as the people at the pet store seemed really knowledgeable.

but thanks I will adjust that.

 

[blackbetty]

I agree. Unless you live in say, Alaska where there is 6 months of light/darkness, go by Mother Natures schedule.. Sunrise to Sunset. I find that even though the time has jumped forward, my male will settle in and go to sleep at 615 even though his lights dont go off until 645.

 

[blackbetty]

I agree. Unless you live in say, Alaska where there is 6 months of light/darkness, go by Mother Natures schedule.. Sunrise to Sunset. I find that even though the time has jumped forward, my male will settle in and go to sleep at 615 even though his lights dont go off until 645.

A timer is VERY helpful if you have one.

 

[leid]

No problem. Pet stores are notorious for not taking adequate care of their chameleons!

 

[skip]

so heres another question, sometimes Chilly will go to get a cricket and take up some of the moss, will the moss do any harm to him if its only small amounts? The Pet store says no but I think I would trust someone else that actually owns a chameleon lol.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[blackbetty]

What do you have moss for?To cover the plants? WHy not just switch to organic soil and if need be, cover with LARGE river rocks that cannot be ingested. There shouldnt be any substrate on the floor either..

 

[leid]

Ryan,

Depending on the moss, yes. Should I assume you have frog moss? Moss is typically organic and is broken down in the body, but ingestion of too much might pose negative side-effects for your cham.

It's generally best you did not have any substrate in your viv. Not to mention wet moss can allow bacteria to grow.

 

[skip]

the moss was highly recommended by the store, its bought from the store and its says on the package that its natural forest moss, if he eats some of it its never very much most of it will fall back to the bottom of the cage, so my best bet would be to switch to organic soil and large cleaned rocks? Organic soil i assume can be bought at many places that have anything to do with gardening?

Thanks again,
Ryan

 

[leid]

Yes, pretty much. If you use rocks, just make sure they're large enough that your cham doesn't swallow them. Oh, and also look out for Chilly chewing on them, as its been reported that some of them mysteriously practice this.

 

[skip]

will do, now chilly is a male and like i said i had him for about 3 weeks and he can get pretty aggressive if I attempt to handle him, is there a chance he may get a little friendlier or is it kind of different chameleon, different way they will react kinda thing, he is about 11 months old I do beleive.

 

[leid]

Veiled chams are notorious for being pissy. While I lucked out and bought a chameleon that does not bite me, he still fires up when I take him out of the cage until he gets on my hand. At first, Fred did not want me anywhere near his viv, but now he seems to not mind when I go in to adjust his feeding cup or rearrange vines, or clean poop. So, with that said, he might get used to you, but don't expect him to ever be friendly to the point that he'll want you to hold him.

 

[Docility]

as you've already figured out hes just settled in. mine likes to get up in the vines, and spy on me while im on the computer lol. we have the same sleep habit 12-12, and if i get up early i just leave the lights off. im just lucky my classes work out for me to do this. even on my early days i get home around 12 so he seems to be doing well with it.