My new veiled chameleon isn't eating.

[AuroraChameleon]

My new Chameleon is Aurora. She is very scared/runs away even when I get near the cage. She won't eat in front of me to my knowledge. Do you all have any ideas/tricks. I do know a great reptile vet if things get worse. Let me know if you guys need more info or if I missed something. Thanks in advance.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled Chameleon, I believe female, around 4 months. She has been in my care for 3 days.

Handling - Just once as I was putting her in her cage.

Feeding - I am feeding crickets. Trying to feed here but with no luck. I think she ate two yesterday because the live crickets were missing from the feeding bowl.
Suppplements - Repti Calcium by Zoo Med
Watering - I am using a little pool of water mostly to help with moisture. I mist 3 times a day. Morning, middle of day, and night. I haven't seen my Chameleon drink but she does rub her mouth on the wet leaves.
Fecal Description - Suprisingly I haven't seen droppings yet. Maybe I have missed it.
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No.
History - Got her from PetSmart

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Tall 26 gallon glass cage, with screen top and screen on right side.
Lighting - I am using a repti glo 10.0 with a basking bulb zoo med 75w. and a 60 watt ceramic heat emmiter.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to baskingspot)? 76 at low and 90 in basking How do you measure these temps? with thermometers
Humidity - between 50-80 as long as I spray. Measured with a hygrometer.
Plants - No live plants, all fake
Placement - Where is your cage located? Back of family room by a window with no vents.
Location - Where are you geographically located? Near Cleveland Ohio


2:52 PM Edit: She started eating finally. I turned off the heat emitter. Maybe she was a little too toasty. She ate I think around 5 crickets which is a start. Thanks again all for help and suggestions.

 

[carol5208]

Hi and welcome to the forums! A couple of things need changing in your set up. First off, some chameleons may not eat right away as they become stressed from the change in environment. You have to make sure your little one is drinking. How long are you misting for? You should run a dripper in the cage if you do not see her drinking from the mistings. Your basking temp is high and should be brought down to the low 80's. What is the ceramic heater for? If it is for night, it is not necessary unless your temps are going to get below 50.

 

[AuroraChameleon]

Hi and welcome to the forums! A couple of things need changing in your set up. First off, some chameleons may not eat right away as they become stressed from the change in environment. You have to make sure your little one is drinking. How long are you misting for? You should run a dripper in the cage if you do not see her drinking from the mistings. Your basking temp is high and should be brought down to the low 80's. What is the ceramic heater for? If it is for night, it is not necessary unless your temps are going to get below 50.

Thanks for the reply. I am mist quite a few times 3 times a day. Thanks for the recommendation on the temperature. I will get rid of the heat emitter and see if that brings down the temp for basking.

The dripper I will look into.

That makes me feel better about the eating thing. That was my biggest concern. Thanks again.

 

[deathdealer91]

I feed my veiled cham free range. i put a few crickets in the cage and he goes nuts. try that. i couldn't get mine to eat out of a cup. iv tried and tried. couldn't get it to work.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Yes, I too would start out freeranging the crickets. Then work into cup feeding.

 

[christineacero]

also, please get rid of the bowl of water. Chams don't drink from standing water and the feeders will most likely drown in it or she'll poop in it. I'd also start looking into a bigger enclosure for her and make sure its screened to help with air circulation.

 

[AuroraChameleon]

also, please get rid of the bowl of water. Chams don't drink from standing water and the feeders will most likely drown in it or she'll poop in it. I'd also start looking into a bigger enclosure for her and make sure its screened to help with air circulation.

Thanks for the advice. I removed it this morning.