Need Advice with my new set up

[Frostlord]

Hi guys, I recently got a baby veiled chameleon, not sure how old but only 2-3 inches long.
I have looked up plenty of information but it feels like I'm constantly being told different things.
I was wondering if you guys can help me with a few questions and with my set up.

First thing is, how many crickets should my chameleon eat a day and how often should I feed him?


I'm also having a bit of concern with my temperature/humidity.

The basking lamp is in the back left hand corner, where he usually sits(the red circle) is about 82-85, is that sufficient?
I bought one of these temperature guns but I'm not sure if it can read humidity as well, does anyone know if they can?



I'm not sure if the humidity is ok, I bought a gauge and this is how it is most of the time, should the humidity be higher?


Last thing is, does anyone have any advice on my set up? should I move anything around or add anything to it?

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

 

[MissLissa]

I'm new to chams, but not reptiles, and just FYI those cheapie humidity gauges are really no good. I have seen them be up to 40%+ off, compared to a read out with a digital probe. Not only are they really inaccurate, if a little bit of water or condensation gets inside they are kaput, and they can go "kaput" with the needle pointing at the right humidity making you think it's fine but it's actually spiked too high or bottomed out!

I'd recommend grabbing a digital hygrometer (measures moisture in the air) from your local herp store; you can usually find a reasonable quality hygrometer for about $20 - $40. Many of them come with replaceable batteries, and they can remain accurate for years as long as the battery is changed regularly. A good digital hygrometer (or several) is definitely one of my must-have items!

I'll let someone with more cham experience speak about your cham, specifically

 

[carol5208]

Feed him everyday about 20 small feeders. Crickets are good. Silkworms if you can find them. Everyone seems to be out of them at the moment! Also. I would suspend a branch or vine below the basking spot about 6-8 inches down for a chameleon of that size. He needs something sturdier than a leaf to sit on. That may suffice for now but when he starts putting some weight on and growing, that is not going to support his weight. Also, if he does not eat all the feeders remove them at night. Do not leave them in the cage, especially the crickets at they may take a nip out of him. Do you have a uvb light and know about gutloading your crickets and dusting them with calcium?

 

[Frostlord]

I'm new to chams, but not reptiles, and just FYI those cheapie humidity gauges are really no good. I have seen them be up to 40%+ off, compared to a read out with a digital probe. Not only are they really inaccurate, if a little bit of water or condensation gets inside they are kaput, and they can go "kaput" with the needle pointing at the right humidity making you think it's fine but it's actually spiked too high or bottomed out!

I'd recommend grabbing a digital hygrometer (measures moisture in the air) from your local herp store; you can usually find a reasonable quality hygrometer for about $20 - $40. Many of them come with replaceable batteries, and they can remain accurate for years as long as the battery is changed regularly. A good digital hygrometer (or several) is definitely one of my must-have items!

I'll let someone with more cham experience speak about your cham, specifically

Thanks for that, I know the cheap gauge isnt the best, I was going to use it till I bought a good one next week, but I thought it would give me a rough measurement of the humidity.

Do you know what percentage the humidity should be at?

Feed him everyday about 20 small feeders. Crickets are good. Silkworms if you can find them. Everyone seems to be out of them at the moment! Also. I would suspend a branch or vine below the basking spot about 6-8 inches down for a chameleon of that size. He needs something sturdier than a leaf to sit on. That may suffice for now but when he starts putting some weight on and growing, that is not going to support his weight. Also, if he does not eat all the feeders remove them at night. Do not leave them in the cage, especially the crickets at they may take a nip out of him. Do you have a uvb light and know about gutloading your crickets and dusting them with calcium?

Yeah I have a UVB along the top of the cage and I have been gutloading and dusting my crickets with calcium. I will also have to get some silk worms once they are available.

I'll have to get a vine to hang underneath or close to the basking light, I just couldnt figure out how to hang a vine/branch across there without it falling, any idea how to get them to stay up?

I'll have to change alot of my set up because it wont be able to hold his weight once he gets bigger

 

[carol5208]

When I attach branches I use push pins and push them through the branch from the outside of the cage. This method works well. The vines I usually attach to the branches them with floral ties or long twist ties. Make sure you get a multivitamin also and use that a two or three times a month. People also use calcium with d3 twice monthly as a general rule. I don't use any d3 as my chameleons are housed primarily outdoors.

 

[Frostlord]

When I attach branches I use push pins and push them through the branch from the outside of the cage. This method works well. The vines I usually attach to the branches them with floral ties or long twist ties. Make sure you get a multivitamin also and use that a two or three times a month. People also use calcium with d3 twice monthly as a general rule. I don't use any d3 as my chameleons are housed primarily outdoors.

Thanks, I'll have to do a bit of shopping and buy some push pins and maybe a few new vines

 

[carol5208]

Sounds awesome and I am sure your little guy will love you for it!