Need Help! I am new chameleon owner

[IAMASHman]

Hi Guys!

I am new to this forum and just looking for some advice about the new addition to my family.

I have a young female yemen chameleon, I have had her around 8 weeks now, in that time she has shed once since ive had her. she doesnt seem to be growing that much. from what i know she is eating well and i mist her habitat 3 times a day and feed twice a day on size 2 silent crickets. Her colors are vibrant and she seems happy.

I am just worried that she has only shed once and doesnt seem to be growing that much. Should i be worried?

Any advice would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[junglefries]

Try posting a couple of pics of her and your cage setup. Fill out the how to ask for help questionaire. You should get some helpful replies upon doing so. Your question(s) is just so vague or without much detail, that may be hard for us to chime in. Thanx.

 

[deathdealer91]

You can also use the search button. they have a lot of treads on veiled chams. and welcome to the forum

 

[IAMASHman]

Ive attached a picture of both my chameleon and my temp set up while she is still growing.

im just worried she isnt growing.

is there any specific details you need to be able to help me?

 

[Lpsouth1978]

She looks healthy enough from those pics. Her cage looks good other than being glass. Fill in as much of the following info as you can, then we can be a lot more helpful and make suggestions that will be the most beneficial for your little one.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[IAMASHman]

She looks healthy enough from those pics. Her cage looks good other than being glass. Fill in as much of the following info as you can, then we can be a lot more helpful and make suggestions that will be the most beneficial for your little one.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Yemen Chameleon, female 4 months (i think). i've had her around 8 weeks.
Handling - once every day/ every couple of days
Feeding - i feed her size 2 silent brown crickets gut loaded with fruit (oranges bananas etc) 5 every feeding session, 2 sessions a day
Supplements - Exo terra Calcium + D3, i was informed to use this once a month over a two days of feeding.
Watering - i use a normal spray bottle 3 times a day for misting, each session lasting around 3-4 minutes
Fecal Description - recent droppings, some are black some are white. she has never been tested for parasites.
History - i dont have any other info.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - glass cage (for now) not sure of the exact dimensions, i just know its taller than it is wider.
Lighting - I use an exo terra basking lamp and uv lamp.
Temperature - the temperature ranges between 34 and 43 centigrade with the average night temp being between 26 and 29. measure with a humidity and temp checker.
Humidity - humidity levels range between 45% and 60% maintained with regular misting measured as stated above.
Plants - i dont use live plants only artificial ones
Placement - the cage is located roughly around 4ft off the ground.
Location - I live in Birmingham in the UK

Current Problem - im worried that she isnt growing at the rate that she should be. and that it may be because i am doing something wrong

 

[carol5208]

You could be feeding her double that amount. Is that all she eats or all you are feeding her? Some chameleons just grow slower than others and female Veilds are smaller than males so she will never get as big as the males do. Also the poop you are describing is actually pee and poo all in one. The white is the pee and the brown is the poop incase you were not aware of this! Using the calcium with d3 twice a month is good, but she should be getting calcium without d3 at most if not all feedings while she is growing. Also a multivitamin should be given a couple of times a month the same way by dusting the crickets. You could also expand on her diet and introduce other feeders such as silkworms, hornworms, etc.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Yemen Chameleon, female 4 months (i think). i've had her around 8 weeks.
Handling - once every day/ every couple of days
Feeding - i feed her size 2 silent brown crickets gut loaded with fruit (oranges bananas etc) 5 every feeding session, 2 sessions a dayI would recommend feeding her as many as she will eat each day. I put all of the feeders in a cup before I go to work. Whatever is left at the end of the day goes back in with the others to be fed later. Also, you need to gut load with more than just fruits. Search the forums for sandrachameleons blogs on dry gutloads. They are easy to make at home, and offer MUCH more nutrition to your chameleon. You also want to feed more than one insect. Get some hornworms, grass hoppers, silk worms, roaches, etc.. The more variety, the better.
Supplements - Exo terra Calcium + D3, i was informed to use this once a month over a two days of feeding. Your schedule should be as follows:
Calcium w/o D3 every day
Calcium with D3 2x a month
Multivitamin 2x a month
Watering - i use a normal spray bottle 3 times a day for misting, each session lasting around 3-4 minutes This should be fine as long as her urates are nice and white, if they are yellow or orange mist more.
Fecal Description - recent droppings, some are black some are white. she has never been tested for parasites.
History - i dont have any other info.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - glass cage (for now) not sure of the exact dimensions, i just know its taller than it is wider. You will want to upgrade to a larger screen cage soon, usually by 6 months.
Lighting - I use an exo terra basking lamp and uv lamp. Just remember to change the UVB bulb AT LEAST once every 6 month, also get a linear UVB if possible (not a must, just a recommendation)
Temperature - the temperature ranges between 34 and 43 centigrade with the average night temp being between 26 and 29. measure with a humidity and temp checker.
Humidity - humidity levels range between 45% and 60% maintained with regular misting measured as stated above.
Plants - i dont use live plants only artificial ones
Placement - the cage is located roughly around 4ft off the ground.
Location - I live in Birmingham in the UK

Current Problem - im worried that she isnt growing at the rate that she should be. and that it may be because i am doing something wrong I think she looks about the right size for 4 months old. Change your gutloading and introduce a variety of different feeders, as many as she will eat each day, and you will see her grow faster. At about 8 months old you will want to cut back on her feeding to help control egg production.

My responses are in red above.