Mbd??

[trd1215]

So how many crickets? Also what is the maximum size cricket? Rainbow Mealworms may have given me the wrong size.

Thru out the day, max about 12 crickets he should be fine. Measurements of cricket size should be the distance between both eyes.

 

[trd1215]

I think he may have been stressed because as soon as I came to observe him and take this picture he was running around scared.

Yea he kinda looks scared of you right there...

 

[louwillie]

Yea he kinda looks scared of you right there...

It's also weird because in the plant pics I was closer and he didn't have that coloration.

 

[trd1215]

It's also weird because in the plant pics I was closer and he didn't have that coloration.

Maybe because he was hiding behind the plant so he probably felt safer.

 

[pssh]

He probably felt more secure and hidden in the plants. If I was discovered out in the open by a large predator i'd freak out too!

 

[louwillie]

He probably felt more secure and hidden in the plants. If I was discovered out in the open by a large predator i'd freak out too!

Ok lol Same here.

 

[trd1215]

Holy moly! Only feed like 10 appropriately sized crickets in the morning to anywhere up to two hours before lights out. Dust with calcium without d3 5 times a week, use calcium with d3 twice a month, and use vitamins once a month. You also need to gutload with greens like kale, collards, mustard greens, and dandelion greens. Use fruits and veggies like yams, carrots, squash, sweet peppers, apple, oranges, berries, and papaya as well.

You NEED to know the temps or you could be cooking him or maybe you are under heating him. Get a digital thermometer ASAP.

If he doesn't have MBD now, he may later or have different problems if you keep on feeding that much without plain calcium without d3.

I think he should be fine just follow pssh posting on nutrition so he wont develop mbd, sorry for me i learned the hard way.

 

[louwillie]

When I went to take these pics I found my cham on the floor again . This is an 18x18x36 enclosure. Cage Pictures:

Top:

 

[pssh]

It might be that it's too hot and he is trying to escape the heat. He also needs more basking branches, but those would come second to a digitalthermometer and hygrometer!!

 

[louwillie]

It might be that it's too hot and he is trying to escape the heat. He also needs more basking branches, but those would come second to a digitalthermometer and hygrometer!!

Ok Will Do.

 

[trd1215]

Try to put the heat lamp in one of the corners so it doesnt hit the plant directly...

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy Matthew,

Regarding temps, you can always stick the back of your hand at various locations and if, after a minute, it only feels a little warm then it isn't too hot. If you are using a spot lamp then you might be better-off with a flood or even just a regular household incandescent bulb to get a better thermal spread over the basking area.

Adding a few horizontally placed vines to create a comfortable basking zone might help him settle down.

It can be helpful to raise the entire enclosure such that he can bask at a height above your head.

 

[PardalisGirl]

Placement on screen top.....

Your boy looks really good. Very cute. The only other suggestion I can add it to do something to get the UVB tube light moved a bit closer to the center of the cage. The position its in now makes one side of the tub go towards the wall. That dome fixture looks really big and is taking up a lot of space. I would get a smaller dome for your basking bulb which would allow you to move the UVB forward. You do need branches in the upper portion of the cage for him to bask on. Chams that age do, however, spend some time on the floor looking for crickets or just exploring. The older they get, the less often they go down to the bottom.

 

[louwillie]

Your boy looks really good. Very cute. The only other suggestion I can add it to do something to get the UVB tube light moved a bit closer to the center of the cage. The position its in now makes one side of the tub go towards the wall. That dome fixture looks really big and is taking up a lot of space. I would get a smaller dome for your basking bulb which would allow you to move the UVB forward. You do need branches in the upper portion of the cage for him to bask on. Chams that age do, however, spend some time on the floor looking for crickets or just exploring. The older they get, the less often they go down to the bottom.

I got the cage as part of a kit. Same here I think the lamp is a little too big.

 

[louwillie]

Howdy Matthew,

Regarding temps, you can always stick the back of your hand at various locations and if, after a minute, it only feels a little warm then it isn't too hot. If you are using a spot lamp then you might be better-off with a flood or even just a regular household incandescent bulb to get a better thermal spread over the basking area.

Adding a few horizontally placed vines to create a comfortable basking zone might help him settle down.

It can be helpful to raise the entire enclosure such that he can bask at a height above your head.

I'm not sure if my light is really a basking bulb. I got it as part of a kit. It most likely is an incadescent.

 

[pssh]

An incandescent would be a basking light.

 

[jojackson]

Your lizard shows no sign of MBD.
It does need more cover and horizontal basking perch/s.
I agree it needs revision of the lighting placement, for optimal uv coverage.
Crikey, check out that dome, my mates and I could play footy under that!
Its ok but a smaller dome gives you more manuverability.

Crickets Are Fed. 20-30 Each Night

Too many at once, but more the issue is the timing. Your lizard is diurnal (daytime active)
Mid morning is a better time to introduce food to the cage. Your lizard has a chance to bask for optimal activity (hunting) and for digestion during the day.
Morningor early afternoon are optimal times for feeding.
Perhaps introduce the days food in the morning before you leave for school/work (whichever applies).

 

[louwillie]

Your lizard shows no sign of MBD.
It does need more cover and horizontal basking perch/s.
I agree it needs revision of the lighting placement, for optimal uv coverage.
Crikey, check out that dome, my mates and I could play footy under that!
Its ok but a smaller dome gives you more manuverability.

Crickets Are Fed. 20-30 Each Night

Too many at once, but more the issue is the timing. Your lizard is diurnal (daytime active)
Mid morning is a better time to introduce food to the cage. Your lizard has a chance to bask for optimal activity (hunting) and for digestion during the day.
Morningor early afternoon are optimal times for feeding.
Perhaps introduce the days food in the morning before you leave for school/work (whichever applies).

Thanks . I think I'll feed right after I get back from school (3:30 pm). I'll be getting new stuff next weekend.

 

[louwillie]

Enclosure

Here are some pics of my updated enclosure because of your advice.

#1 Before Update:

#1 Today (with vines):

Please Pick One of These Choices for My Top. I'm going to change the lamp to a 5.5" Diameter:
#1 Top Choice:

#2 Top Choice:

#3 Top Choice (This One is Slightly Moved to the Right Bottom Corner):

#4 Top Choice:

#5 Top Choice:

Thanks

 

[Carlton]

Sometimes if a cham really wants out of its enclosure it will roam the bottom a lot. I agree...raise the cage up as high as you can. Chams prefer to look down on the world and feel much more vulnerable at ground level. I don't see any sign of MBD, just stress.