Neonate calyptratus (specific)

[jojackson]

I would like to think I am well informed on care , however I have been Unable to find info specific to neonate care in particular.



I have the following questions If you could please help me?

I will outline whats happening for you. I want to be clear and informative so forgive the lengthy explanation.



My male calyptratus is 3 weeks old give or take a day or two. Since I feel its important to carefully monitor its eating defecation etc, and for ease of hunting insects, I am currently keeping it in a plastic tub of following dimensions.



300mm longx 200mm widex 250mm high. This tub is inside a much larger tub so I can hook Uvb/uva and heat light above. Branches and greenery (hibiscus rosa sinensis, apparently safe if eaten?) are provided. I am fine misting several times a day on tub sides and froilage. UV lighting is zoolife 10 compact, heating is 40 watt red bulb.



Temp on tub floor 25c /77f basking spot 28c/82.4f As advised by dealer (day temps 14 hrs) Cool end 25c.

No heating provided at night, night temps (at coolest) 21c/69.8f

[note:] I was advised night time drops of up to 10c were required even for babys?]



Humidity average 50-60% with boost to 70-75% after misting.



Animal is alert , active and awake during day, appears well filled out and hydrated, and eye movement is constant when awake. Observed drinking and eating pinheads (1 week crickets). Thermoregulation observed. defecation (brown %white) [indicates good hydration?] observed.



I was advised to care for in this manner till 3-4 months old, after which a larger screened enclosure (already setup) will be used.



Questions:



In my reading, I find it advised to house chams at height, eyelevel or above?

At this point the chams tub sits on a low table. It dosent appear to bother it since its in a quiet room without much human traffic. Is this ok?



I also read they like to climb and dense friolage makes them secure, However as mentioned above, I beleive such surrounding might make finding his food difficult,

What do you think?



Should I offer my baby plant material/vegetation for food, fruit, greens etc?

If so what and how? Do babys eat plant matter or do they take to this later?



Water. Should misting water be declorinated etc? Should I still offer a very shallow bowl aswell? Im planing on seting up a small water fall/dripper later.



Given all the right conditions and normal growth, How often should my baby shed?

Im not sure if its done so since hatching. What should I be aware of? Tail/constriction, feet, eyes? Increase humidity? What to look for? coloration /behaviour?



Supplimentation. How often ?



All seems well (right now) but I want to be on the right track to start with, since reptiles illness can be advanced before symptoms appear. I want to get it right FIRST TIME!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Julirs]

I would like to think I am well informed on care , however I have been Unable to find info specific to neonate care in particular.



I have the following questions If you could please help me?

I will outline whats happening for you. I want to be clear and informative so forgive the lengthy explanation.



My male calyptratus is 3 weeks old give or take a day or two. Since I feel its important to carefully monitor its eating defecation etc, and for ease of hunting insects, I am currently keeping it in a plastic tub of following dimensions.



300mm longx 200mm widex 250mm high. This tub is inside a much larger tub so I can hook Uvb/uva and heat light above. Branches and greenery (hibiscus rosa sinensis, apparently safe if eaten?) are provided. I am fine misting several times a day on tub sides and froilage. UV lighting is zoolife 10 compact, heating is 40 watt red bulb.

Tub size is fine-Get rid of the compact bulb-get a flourescent UVB tube (Zoomed Reptisun 5.0 most highly suggested) and set it on top of the tub. Flourescent compacts have been known to cause eye issues. The red bulbs are not suggested either-chameleons associate white light with basking heat, so a household 40Watt bulb is fine.
Temp on tub floor 25c /77f basking spot 28c/82.4f As advised by dealer (day temps 14 hrs) Cool end 25c.

OK

No heating provided at night, night temps (at coolest) 21c/69.8f

[note:] I was advised night time drops of up to 10c were required even for babys?]

Good

Humidity average 50-60% with boost to 70-75% after misting.

Good

Animal is alert , active and awake during day, appears well filled out and hydrated, and eye movement is constant when awake. Observed drinking and eating pinheads (1 week crickets). Thermoregulation observed. defecation (brown %white) [indicates good hydration?] observed.



I was advised to care for in this manner till 3-4 months old, after which a larger screened enclosure (already setup) will be used.

He should be good to go into a cage at 2-2.5 months.

Questions:



In my reading, I find it advised to house chams at height, eyelevel or above?

At this point the chams tub sits on a low table. It dosent appear to bother it since its in a quiet room without much human traffic. Is this ok?

I raise babies at table height.


I also read they like to climb and dense friolage makes them secure, However as mentioned above, I beleive such surrounding might make finding his food difficult,

What do you think?

I think you have it set up right.



Should I offer my baby plant material/vegetation for food, fruit, greens etc?

I don't feed babies greens at this age, but as long as the pieces are small enough it won't hurt.

If so what and how? Do babys eat plant matter or do they take to this later?

Some will as adults, some won't.

Water. Should misting water be declorinated etc? Should I still offer a very shallow bowl aswell? Im planing on seting up a small water fall/dripper later.

Misting is good for now-you can drip when he gets in a cage-no water bowl needed.
Given all the right conditions and normal growth, How often should my baby shed?

Every few weeks at this age.

Im not sure if its done so since hatching. What should I be aware of? Tail/constriction, feet, eyes? Increase humidity? What to look for? coloration /behaviour?

They will almost shed when you are not looking at this age so no worries.



Supplimentation. How often ?

You need a phosphorous free calcium without D3 that you will be using 5-6 times a weekly to lightly dust one feeding, a phosphorous free calcium with D3 that you will use once weekly at this age, and a vitamin/mineral supplement that you will use 2X monthly.


All seems well (right now) but I want to be on the right track to start with, since reptiles illness can be advanced before symptoms appear. I want to get it right FIRST TIME!

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you are doing a great job!

 

[ciafardo 4]

juli is right your doing an outstanding job way to research oh and warm tap water is fine

 

[jojackson]

Thankyou Kindly for your help.
I will ditch the compact Immediately and buy reptisun 5 tub uvb/uva and replace red bulb with normal 40 watt. Will order phosphorous free calcium without D3 (have some with) and vit/min Tomorrow and begin this resigm by the calendar.
Much appreciated.

P.s Im well aware of overheating issues with reptiles (i have others) but im wondering if /when its safe (body size) to get him outdoors for some natural uv aswell? Im thinking when hes around 4-6 months, since his tiny size would put him at risk of dehydration outdoors in my climate even in shade. ?

 

[jojackson]

Thankyou also ciafardo 4
I have been intensely researching for about 8 months (waiting for him to hatch) both with other owners and online. A Chameleon is (to use a cliche) 'The Ultimate' reptile for me (this is my first cham) Ive been awestruck by them since seeing one at a zoo years ago. I do keep other reptiles so A good understanding of the complicated needs of ectotherms in general has helped, but I belive we ever stop learning nd the word 'expert'
should never be used.
Of course Its my beleif that any living creature deserves the respect and care required
if we 'own' it, we are responsible, that said, to me, to buy a chameleon without having a clue is akin to blasphemy! LOl
These are Lizard Gods!

 

[Julirs]

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Cainschams]

I take my baby panthers out a week after they are born. Just watch the temps and make sure they are well hydrated before. You want to be able to watch them the whole time also. They can get overheated very quickly. I usually do 10 to 15 minutes in the sun then the same in the shade so they can cool off. I usually mist them when in the shade also since the water evaporates quickly being in the sun. Just keep an eye on him and he should be fine.