First off, thanks to all who participate on these forums! First time owner so I was reading and learning so much from all of your postings and don’t think I would have made it this far without it.
I might be a panicky new chameleon owner like the rest but Chucks Eating habits have changed and looking for advice. Also any other recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Chuck, In his old cage(18x18x36) used to eat easily out of his feed dish. Dubia roaches, crickets, Phoenix worms, etc.. I would mix it up with variety and when I check the bowl it’s usually empty. I could also easily feed him by hand and handle him as well.
Ever since I moved him to his new 24x24x48 cage(which has been 7days now) he does not eat out of feed cups. I am only able to get him to eat if I hold bugs in my hand and he will eat it...?
Another concern is I have live plants now in the larger cage and he likes to hang out at the base of main tree and seems to be trying to eat the rocks covering the soil!? I have a Ficus, and 3 small Pothos.
I washed plants and replaced soil with organic soil then covered with rocks so he doesn’t eat the dirt but somehow he is still intrigued about hanging out around the base of ficus. I believe I saw very very small flies buzzing around there but probably from the new soil..? Has anyone experienced this before?
Chameleon Info:
◦ Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Panther, male, approximately 6months, 4months in my care
◦ Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Once a week at most. At least twice a month when I clean.
◦ Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Crickets, Dubia roaches, super worms. From what I see, he only eats maybe 2-3 crickets or roaches a day lately and like I said mostly only when I hold it for him.
Feed him in the morning when I get up and I have a cricket farm which I gut load with repashy big burger.
◦ Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Zoo-med reptivite with D3 once every other week.
Repticalcium without D3 everyday
◦ Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Single nozzle mister, every hour for 10secs, yes I see him drinking
◦ Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Light to dark brown with white Urates. Used to be every day but now since new cage maybe only see dropping every other day. Or I can’t find them..
no testing for parasites.
◦ History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
None to report.
Cage Info:
◦ Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
24x24x48
◦ Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
24” zoomed T5 5.0 Setup is going in next few days but right now is 18” zoomed UVB.
◦ Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
60watt dome bulb flukers. Soon going to 10.5” flukers dome.
Basking spot stays consistent around 85degrees. Low to overnight temp is around 70degrees. My wife won’t let the house get colder than that haha.
◦ Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
I keep a humidifier right next to cage on a semi low setting but have never tested humidity levels..
◦ Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Live plants I have a main ficus and 3 medium to small Pothos which he loves to sleep on. Also few fake vines and brush in the back of cage
◦ 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?
No vents or fans. High traffic yes because my 5 and 7 year old boys keep wanting to look at him. That’s why I tried to give him plenty of foliage to hide behind.
◦ Location - Where are you geographically located?
Los Angeles California
Thanks again for any input. Really appreciate it. Pictures to follow.
I might be a panicky new chameleon owner like the rest but Chucks Eating habits have changed and looking for advice. Also any other recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Chuck, In his old cage(18x18x36) used to eat easily out of his feed dish. Dubia roaches, crickets, Phoenix worms, etc.. I would mix it up with variety and when I check the bowl it’s usually empty. I could also easily feed him by hand and handle him as well.
Ever since I moved him to his new 24x24x48 cage(which has been 7days now) he does not eat out of feed cups. I am only able to get him to eat if I hold bugs in my hand and he will eat it...?
Another concern is I have live plants now in the larger cage and he likes to hang out at the base of main tree and seems to be trying to eat the rocks covering the soil!? I have a Ficus, and 3 small Pothos.
I washed plants and replaced soil with organic soil then covered with rocks so he doesn’t eat the dirt but somehow he is still intrigued about hanging out around the base of ficus. I believe I saw very very small flies buzzing around there but probably from the new soil..? Has anyone experienced this before?
Chameleon Info:
◦ Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Panther, male, approximately 6months, 4months in my care
◦ Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Once a week at most. At least twice a month when I clean.
◦ Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Crickets, Dubia roaches, super worms. From what I see, he only eats maybe 2-3 crickets or roaches a day lately and like I said mostly only when I hold it for him.
Feed him in the morning when I get up and I have a cricket farm which I gut load with repashy big burger.
◦ Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Zoo-med reptivite with D3 once every other week.
Repticalcium without D3 everyday
◦ Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Single nozzle mister, every hour for 10secs, yes I see him drinking
◦ Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Light to dark brown with white Urates. Used to be every day but now since new cage maybe only see dropping every other day. Or I can’t find them..
no testing for parasites.
◦ History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
None to report.
Cage Info:
◦ Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
24x24x48
◦ Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
24” zoomed T5 5.0 Setup is going in next few days but right now is 18” zoomed UVB.
◦ Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
60watt dome bulb flukers. Soon going to 10.5” flukers dome.
Basking spot stays consistent around 85degrees. Low to overnight temp is around 70degrees. My wife won’t let the house get colder than that haha.
◦ Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
I keep a humidifier right next to cage on a semi low setting but have never tested humidity levels..
◦ Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Live plants I have a main ficus and 3 medium to small Pothos which he loves to sleep on. Also few fake vines and brush in the back of cage
◦ 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?
No vents or fans. High traffic yes because my 5 and 7 year old boys keep wanting to look at him. That’s why I tried to give him plenty of foliage to hide behind.
◦ Location - Where are you geographically located?
Los Angeles California
Thanks again for any input. Really appreciate it. Pictures to follow.