New behaviors, please help?

Waelliott791

New Member
Got my veiled chameleon Rango from my wife’s friend just over a year ago. He’s roughly 2-2.5 now, with the first part of his life in Florida. We have now moved back to Indiana, it’s about to be winter and the weather has dropped. In Florida we kept the house around 72 almost at all times, with the interior of his screened cage being around 85ish near the top, and lower towards mid 70s on the bottom under the shade. I try to keep it about the same here, keeping humidity has just been the harder part. About a week ago the weather dropped but I kicked the heat on and his cage temp hasn’t dropped, but about a week ago one day he refused to eat more than 2 crickets, which is really odd of him. And since has stuck to not moving out of his water bowl, and I woke up this morning to him sleeping in the water dish. Came home from work and he hasn’t moved, I touched him and he opened his eye and then just closed it. But I can see he’s skinny, and this is just something new. Should I be worried, I read they do sometimes “hibernate” in a since, but he’s never done this before! Any words of advice or what to do would be greatly appreciated
 
Got my veiled chameleon Rango from my wife’s friend just over a year ago. He’s roughly 2-2.5 now, with the first part of his life in Florida. We have now moved back to Indiana, it’s about to be winter and the weather has dropped. In Florida we kept the house around 72 almost at all times, with the interior of his screened cage being around 85ish near the top, and lower towards mid 70s on the bottom under the shade. I try to keep it about the same here, keeping humidity has just been the harder part. About a week ago the weather dropped but I kicked the heat on and his cage temp hasn’t dropped, but about a week ago one day he refused to eat more than 2 crickets, which is really odd of him. And since has stuck to not moving out of his water bowl, and I woke up this morning to him sleeping in the water dish. Came home from work and he hasn’t moved, I touched him and he opened his eye and then just closed it. But I can see he’s skinny, and this is just something new. Should I be worried, I read they do sometimes “hibernate” in a since, but he’s never done this before! Any words of advice or what to do would be greatly appreciated
The notion of a “water bowl” seems to indicate that a husbandry review might be beneficial. Would you be open to it? Fill out the following form:
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?
 
Hi there. Sorry you're going through this. I'd be concerned. If you can copy and paste the information I posted below to the best of your ability with photos of the the enclosure showing everything, lights etc. Then one of our Cham specialists will review it and let you know.

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.

--------------

Please Note:
  1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
  2. Photos can be very helpful.
 
Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - Veiled, male. Roughly 2-2.5 years old. We have had him for roughly 15 months.
  • Handling - I read chameleons don’t tend to like a lot of handling, so maybe 2 a month. Never reaching from above and just grabbing him, and if he puffs up and seems to not want touched we leave him alone. When he does come out he’s out for 10-20 mins and he’s usually pretty calm with the occasional trip to your head!
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? Crickets, the original owner said she had tried some fresh vegetables at one time but he didn’t eat them. What amount? 24 medium sized, with a dusting of calcium. What is the schedule? 2/3 a month sometimes more if he eats them super quick. How are you gut-loading your feeders? I’m new, not sure what that means
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Flickers reptile calcium with vitamin D12, and in Florida we were dusting every other feed, but he was also feeding a lot more. Once we moved home he seemed to eat less, so we upped the calcium.
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? We have a dropper we turn on periodically when we’re home, we also mist him for about 1-1.5 before we leave for work in the morning, and then 1-3 times after work depending on what humidty is in cage, and if he seems to be drinking. Do you see your chameleon drinking? Not every single time, hence statement before. At times he just puts his head up and seems to “enjoy” it, other times he turns dark and pulls out his spots, other times he drinks for a whole minute without stopping. I go with his flow.
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Once in the last five days, and it was over night while he was in his water bowl. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No
  • 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? I’d have to get back to you when I’m at home with the specifics, but there is a regular heating lamp and 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? High at the top was around 85, the vine he would generally hangout on was in the 80’s range bottom of cage 75 ish. Over night temps would be generally low 70’s. Up here now though night temps can drop to 68 before my heat kicks on
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? Dripper periodically, as well as misting and past owner had a water bowl in his cage and said he liked to have a little water in it cause Rango would venture into throughout the day. What do you use to measure humidity? He knocked off the temp and humidity gauge a few months back and never got around to getting another, humidity was never really an issue
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? No
  • Placement - Where is your cage located?. Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? No fans or air vents near cage. In our bedroom, at our old house he was in our living room with us and always seemed to never have a problem, just sat and stared at us all day. We moved to new apartment and gave him his own room, but he seemed to always hang around on the bottom of the cage and wasn’t eating as normal so we moved him to our bedroom. About two weeks later is when he started acting weird.
  • At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? 6’
  • Location - Where are you geographically located? Indiana

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
 
I’ll make some suggestions here.
Chameleon Info:
  • Your Chameleon - Veiled, male. Roughly 2-2.5 years old. We have had him for roughly 15 months.
  • Handling - I read chameleons don’t tend to like a lot of handling, so maybe 2 a month. Never reaching from above and just grabbing him, and if he puffs up and seems to not want touched we leave him alone. When he does come out he’s out for 10-20 mins and he’s usually pretty calm with the occasional trip to your head!
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? Crickets, the original owner said she had tried some fresh vegetables at one time but he didn’t eat them. What amount? 24 medium sized, with a dusting of calcium. What is the schedule? 2/3 a month sometimes more if he eats them super quick.You’re feeding him 2-3 times a month? Usually, feeding 2-3 times/week is better. 2-3 food items per feeding. How are you gut-loading your feeders? I’m new, not sure what that meansFair enough. Gutloading is the activity of feeding your feeder insects nutritious food items, so those nutrients are passed on to your chameleon. Good items are high calcium greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, etc., healthy veggies such as butternut squash, carrots and sweet potato, and the occasional fruits such as orange, apple. The ratio should be 70% high calcium greens/ 20% other veggies/ 10% fruits.
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Flickers reptile calcium with vitamin D12, and in Florida we were dusting every other feed, but he was also feeding a lot more. Once we moved home he seemed to eat less, so we upped the calcium. Here’s a really easy supplement regime: dust your bugs with “repashy calcium plus LoD” at every feeding...that’s it.
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? We have a dropper we turn on periodically when we’re home, we also mist him for about 1-1.5 before we leave for work in the morning, and then 1-3 times after work depending on what humidty is in cage, and if he seems to be drinking. Do you see your chameleon drinking? Not every single time, hence statement before. At times he just puts his head up and seems to “enjoy” it, other times he turns dark and pulls out his spots, other times he drinks for a whole minute without stopping. I go with his flow.Mist in the morning before lights on, just after lights off, and just before you go to bed; keep the dripper. SCRAP THE WATER BOWL. Daytime humidity can be lower (40%), nightime humidity should approach 100% all night. A fogger can be helpful.
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Once in the last five days, and it was over night while he was in his water bowl. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No
  • 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? I’d have to get back to you when I’m at home with the specifics, but there is a regular heating lamp and What is your daily lighting schedule?Id like to know what kind of uvb light you’re using.
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? High at the top was around 85, the vine he would generally hangout on was in the 80’s range bottom of cage 75 ish. Over night temps would be generally low 70’s. Up here now though night temps can drop to 68 before my heat kicks on Temps can be low at night. Your temps look ok.
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? Dripper periodically, as well as misting and past owner had a water bowl in his cage and said he liked to have a little water in it cause Rango would venture into throughout the day. What do you use to measure humidity? He knocked off the temp and humidity gauge a few months back and never got around to getting another, humidity was never really an issue Not in Florida, but indoor humidity in the north can be an issue. Probably get a new humidity gauge.
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? No Live plants will help with humidity
  • Placement - Where is your cage located?. Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? No fans or air vents near cage. In our bedroom, at our old house he was in our living room with us and always seemed to never have a problem, just sat and stared at us all day. We moved to new apartment and gave him his own room, but he seemed to always hang around on the bottom of the cage and wasn’t eating as normal so we moved him to our bedroom. About two weeks later is when he started acting weird.
  • At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? 6’
  • Location - Where are you geographically located? Indiana

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

I think there are several husbandry issue to be addressed here. With respect to your current problem, I’d recommend focusing on proper hydration/humidity, proper supplementation and proper uvb lighting. A vet visit would also be helpful
 
Your Chameleon - Veiled, male. Roughly 2-2.5 years old. We have had him for roughly 15 months.
  • Handling - I read chameleons don’t tend to like a lot of handling, so maybe 2 a month. Never reaching from above and just grabbing him, and if he puffs up and seems to not want touched we leave him alone. When he does come out he’s out for 10-20 mins and he’s usually pretty calm with the occasional trip to your head!
  • Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? Crickets, the original owner said she had tried some fresh vegetables at one time but he didn’t eat them. What amount? 24 medium sized, with a dusting of calcium. What is the schedule? 2/3 a month sometimes more if he eats them super quick. How are you gut-loading your feeders? I’m new, not sure what that means 24 at one feeding? Only being fed 2 or 3 times a MONTH? How are you doing this?
  • Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Flickers reptile calcium with vitamin D12, and in Florida we were dusting every other feed, but he was also feeding a lot more. Once we moved home he seemed to eat less, so we upped the calcium. Assuming you mean D2 not D12. The dusting should be done lightly at every feeding but 4 a month with a phos free calcium powder. 2 of the remaining feedings should be with a phos free calcium/D3 powder (once every 2 weeks) and the other two times (on the other two weeks) should be with a vitamin powder.
  • Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? We have a dropper we turn on periodically when we’re home, we also mist him for about 1-1.5 before we leave for work in the morning, and then 1-3 times after work depending on what humidty is in cage, and if he seems to be drinking. Do you see your chameleon drinking? Not every single time, hence statement before. At times he just puts his head up and seems to “enjoy” it, other times he turns dark and pulls out his spots, other times he drinks for a whole minute without stopping. I go with his flow.
  • Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Once in the last five days, and it was over night while he was in his water bowl. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No
  • 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? I’d have to get back to you when I’m at home with the specifics, but there is a regular heating lamp and What is your daily lighting schedule? your chameleon needs a good UVB light...long linear tube Reptisun 5.0 is most often recommended. For basking it should be a regular household incandescent light of a wattage that produces the the temperature in the low 80'sF All lights should be off at night.
  • Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? High at the top was around 85, the vine he would generally hangout on was in the 80’s range bottom of cage 75 ish. Over night temps would be generally low 70’s. Up here now though night temps can drop to 68 before my heat kicks on
  • Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? Dripper periodically, as well as misting and past owner had a water bowl in his cage and said he liked to have a little water in it cause Rango would venture into throughout the day. What do you use to measure humidity? He knocked off the temp and humidity gauge a few months back and never got around to getting another, humidity was never really an issue
  • Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? No Live plants are recommended...nontoxic...well washed both sides of the leaves. You don't want your chameleon to ingest fake ones.
  • Placement - Where is your cage located?. Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? No fans or air vents near cage. In our bedroom, at our old house he was in our living room with us and always seemed to never have a problem, just sat and stared at us all day. We moved to new apartment and gave him his own room, but he seemed to always hang around on the bottom of the cage and wasn’t eating as normal so we moved him to our bedroom. About two weeks later is when he started acting weird.
  • At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? 6’
  • Location - Where are you geographically located? Indiana

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

Why does he have a water dish in his cage?
You said..."I read they do sometimes “hibernate” in a since"...never had a veiled chameleon "hibernate" on me. They can slow down a bit in the "winter".
 
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