Nap Time?

[Rango_TheManEater]

I went to offer Rango his cup of buggies when I noticed his eyes were closed. I quickly backed off, since I’m not sure how he would react to being awakened from his (very peaceful-looking) slumber.

I’m not entirely sure how normal it is for an adult Veiled to take a nap, but this is the first time I’ve seen Rango asleep during daytime. Then again— I tend to leave him alone, so I haven’t observed his behavior too often.

He’s perched on his branch and I’m honestly jealous of how comfy he looks. I’m a bit concerned because this is a new behavior for Rango … but hopefully it’s nothing to worry about?

 

[LizardLurkin]

It's to my knowledge that chameleons napping during the day is an abnormality.
I believe there are some very specific exceptions, such as, if the lights are about to go off, they sometimes turn in early, usually in the winter months (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

Have you noticed any other behavioral changes?

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

It's to my knowledge that chameleons napping during the day is an abnormality.
I believe there are some very specific exceptions, such as, if the lights are about to go off, they sometimes turn in early, usually in the winter months (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

Have you noticed any other behavioral changes?

I haven’t noticed anything particularly unusual. I definitely was worried when I noticed him lying down at 5:30-6:30 (his lights turn off at 7:25), so I immediately posted it on here to see if anybody else thought it was off.

Otherwise, he’s been active during the day (per usual). I noticed him sunbathing on his usual branch this morning, and he moved down later to the spot he was in when I found him. When I went to water him this evening, since it was 7:20 and I water him slightly early, he flinched at the water but otherwise didn’t move.

It’s very cold here in Iowa, though, and I’ve had difficulty keeping my room at 70 degrees. Sometimes it drifts down to 68, but feels colder. Rango’s heat lamp is functional, but maybe he’s lying in a spot where he can’t feel it as much? I’m worried either way.

 

[Gloriawood]

Napping during the day time is typically cause for concern, unfortunatley. Exceptions are as @LizardLurkin mentioned above. It could be a number of things. We can narrow it down if you answer these few questions.
When was your last husbandry review?
When did you last change your UVB?
What supplements are you using?

 

[Gloriawood]

Just seen your reply to LizardLurkin. That’s pretty close to bedtime for him. Just about an hour or so early correct? I would think that’s what it is. If your supplements and UVB are good, I would say he’s fine. I’ve seen you post here quite a bit and I don’t recall anything you’ve posted in the past throwing a red flag.


However, I noticed you said you were offering him bugs at the time you caught this? Usually we like to feed in the first half of the day so they have a good bit of time to bask and digest their bugs real good. Maybe switch his feeding time to earlier in the day if you can.

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

Napping during the day time is typically cause for concern, unfortunatley. Exceptions are as @LizardLurkin mentioned above. It could be a number of things. We can narrow it down if you answer these few questions.
When was your last husbandry review?
When did you last change your UVB?
What supplements are you using?

Oh goodness. I’m going to answer these the best that I can, so please let me know if I’m not thorough enough.

My husbandry has not been reviewed in a while. As of recent, I have been trying desperately to keep my plants alive (temperatures are swaying here in Iowa like CRAZY), and I’m honestly a bit embarrassed about it. I have a pothos, a maidenhair fern, and a Schefflera arboricola. I’m working on expanding my collection, but it’s been too cold lately and many stores are not able to keep their plants alive. I’m in desperate need of a local greenhouse, I know, but I have no idea where a local one would be. (I live in a small town and it’s indefinitely at LEAST 30 minutes away for any store).

I recently bought a 5.0 UVB light set… maybe 3 months ago? I was told that these were meant to last up to a year, and it has yet to show any signs of failure, so I believe that it’s good for now.

As for supplements, I have been using calcium without d3 during every feeding. Every two weeks, I feed my veiled Reptivite without d3. He has MBD, and I’m proud to say that it hasn’t worsened since I’ve been feeding him these supplements.

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

Just seen your reply to LizardLurkin. That’s pretty close to bedtime for him. Just about an hour or so early correct? I would think that’s what it is. If your supplements and UVB are good, I would say he’s fine. I’ve seen you post here quite a bit and I don’t recall anything you’ve posted in the past throwing a red flag.


However, I noticed you said you were offering him bugs at the time you caught this? Usually we like to feed in the first half of the day so they have a good bit of time to bask and digest their bugs real good. Maybe switch his feeding time to earlier in the day if you can.

I had no idea I was supposed to feed him earlier in the day! Thank you for telling me.

I’ll begin feeding him at 12 (noon) so that he has time to digest his food. I’ve been trying my best to keep up with the changes of adulthood, but it seems I need to make adjustments often. Hopefully I can finally get this right.

 

[Gloriawood]

I had no idea I was supposed to feed him earlier in the day! Thank you for telling me.

I’ll begin feeding him at 12 (noon) so that he has time to digest his food. I’ve been trying my best to keep up with the changes of adulthood, but it seems I need to make adjustments often. Hopefully I can finally get this right.

Ok your UVB should be fine then. Supplements too. It’s winter, it’s cooler, it was near bedtime, I think you are fine. If missskittles or beaman or another super knowledgeable keeper thinks otherwise, listen to them. I really think you fall into that exception category though.


Ugghh the plant battle same here. I’m a terrible gardener and Spaghetti looooves to munch on his plants. Temps in Missouri have also been nuts. (I’m struggling keeping my room warm too) I have a couple pathos on rotation. When one starts looking yucky, I pull it, replace it, and have my sister or grandpa help me get it back in good shape I have a few of those and a monstera. That’s it. I have found that he likes them, the grow quick enough to keep up with his munching and they are easiest for my brown thumb. So I keep it at that. I don’t try to do anything else. I wouldn’t be super concerned about variety as long has he has enough coverage.

I did notice his legs. My guy had MBD when I got him too. (I think I recall us talking about this before). His casque is wonky, but he also did not get any worse after I adopted him. Unfortunately the wonky casque and the bend in their legs will not go away, but they get stronger and heal I’ve grown to love my guys crooked hat though

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

Ok your UVB should be fine then. Supplements too. It’s winter, it’s cooler, it was near bedtime, I think you are fine. If missskittles or beaman or another super knowledgeable keeper thinks otherwise, listen to them. I really think you fall into that exception category though.


Ugghh the plant battle same here. I’m a terrible gardener and Spaghetti looooves to munch on his plants. Temps in Missouri have also been nuts. (I’m struggling keeping my room warm too) I have a couple pathos on rotation. When one starts looking yucky, I pull it, replace it, and have my sister or grandpa help me get it back in good shape I have a few of those and a monstera. That’s it. I have found that he likes them, the grow quick enough to keep up with his munching and they are easiest for my brown thumb. So I keep it at that. I don’t try to do anything else. I wouldn’t be super concerned about variety as long has he has enough coverage.

I did notice his legs. My guy had MBD when I got him too. (I think I recall us talking about this before). His casque is wonky, but he also did not get any worse after I adopted him. Unfortunately the wonky casque and the bend in their legs will not go away, but they get stronger and heal I’ve grown to love my guys crooked hat though

Thank goodness I’m not alone with the plant battle I’m a horrible gardener, so I’ve been relying on easy plants.

And I’ve noticed that my veiled’s legs have definitely gotten stronger. While they’re still rounded at the elbow, they’re no longer toothpick-thin.

Also… when I first added plants to Rango’s cage, I didn’t think he would immediately munch on his plants. Sure enough, though, I saw a bite mark on one of the moondrop’s leaves the following week and I immediately knew who the culprit was. I’ll have to buy more of them so he can get that extra fiber into his diet

 

[Gloriawood]

Thank goodness I’m not alone with the plant battle I’m a horrible gardener, so I’ve been relying on easy plants.

And I’ve noticed that my veiled’s legs have definitely gotten stronger. While they’re still rounded at the elbow, they’re no longer toothpick-thin.

Also… when I first added plants to Rango’s cage, I didn’t think he would immediately munch on his plants. Sure enough, though, I saw a bite mark on one of the moondrop’s leaves the following week and I immediately knew who the culprit was. I’ll have to buy more of them so he can get that extra fiber into his diet

Not alone at all find what works and stick with it! My guy has thrived with just multiple of the same plant. I also added fake plants on the outside of his enclosure to help him feel more secure.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I'm curious. Have you adjusted the timers on your lighting at all since winter began?
I did see Spooble turn in early once, when it was clearly dark outside, but still light in his enclosure. I made it so my lights went out at 6pm after subtracting the time over the week from the original 8pm lights off time. I didn't see the point in keeping him up with the artificial sun if he was wizened enough to what the real sun outside was doing.

Do be observant of him, just to be totally sure nothing is wrong in the meantime.

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

I'm curious. Have you adjusted the timers on your lighting at all since winter began?
I did see Spooble turn in early once, when it was clearly dark outside, but still light in his enclosure. I made it so my lights went out at 6pm after subtracting the time over the week from the original 8pm lights off time. I didn't see the point in keeping him up with the artificial sun if he was wizened enough to what the real sun outside was doing.

Do be observant of him, just to be totally sure nothing is wrong in the meantime.

I have blackout curtains that mostly block out the natural light, so I haven’t thought about it. His lights turn on at 7:00, and turn off at 7:25 (the timers never want to work at 7 sharp). Maybe I should change it to 5-5?

I’ll be as observant of him as I can for sure. Thank you!

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

Not alone at all find what works and stick with it! My guy has thrived with just multiple of the same plant. I also added fake plants on the outside of his enclosure to help him feel more secure.

I added some lattice with artificial vines over them on the outside of mine’s cage. It definitely helps him feel more hidden while his poor plants are going through it