New cham keeper.

[wrongroad]

Hi, I got a male veiled cham for my b-day. He is "a young" (no other info) male. He is about 4 inches, from nose to vent. I've got him a week ago. keeping him in a 10 gal tank set-up with a screen top and uv light fixture with a 5.0 uvb reptisun light, and a 60 watt "moon-glow light in a dome clip on fixture for heat. the temp in the tank is around 82 in the day and I turn every thing off at night, so the temp drops to 70. humidity has been staying right at 50%. I monitor these with 2 different thermometers, and humidity gauge. I have a waterfall in the tank. I have read these really don't work that great, and they don't drink out of it, but I think it is helping to keep the humidity up. He is eating around 20 crickets a day, and is always on the look out for more. I feed him once a day in the morning, and spray his tank 3 times a day with warm water. I just added a real ficus plant to his tank, and he seems to like it. I washed this all down before I added it to he's tank. I am getting his permanent home today, a 24"x24"x48" all screen cage with an automatic mister, the temp and humidity gauges, with the probes, and a real hibiscus tree. I take him out about every other day, he seems to like climbing on me, and always go to the top of my head. We will go out side for awhile like this, so he can get some real sun. I live in Denver, CO, where we have been enjoying some unusually warm weather for Oct. It's been in the 80"s all last week.

Now for the questions. He went into a shed 2 days after I got him. Is this "normal", or more out of stress?
Now there are a bunch of tiny white specks on his body, is this left over from the shed?
I have seen him drink once and only once. He took a drop that was hanging from the screen top. He is now more of a brown, than the bright green he was showing in the beginning. Is this a problem?

This morning, right before I misted him, he got on the bottom of the tank, and took the biggest dump I have ever seem. It's both brown and white, a pretty runny. He just layed there for awhile, then went back up to his perch.
His grip is still really strong, and he is looking normal now. What's up with this?

My family is saying I'm getting obsisive, but I just want to know I'm doing the right thing for my little Igor!

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Diana

P.S. The two pics are of Igor, right after I got him (really green), and the other was taken today.

 

[beardeds7587]

ow for the questions. He went into a shed 2 days after I got him. Is this "normal", or more out of stress?= Normal
Now there are a bunch of tiny white specks on his body, is this left over from the shed?That is his scale's still shedding , def normal
I have seen him drink once and only once. He took a drop that was hanging from the screen top. He is now more of a brown, than the bright green he was showing in the beginning. Is this a problem? its fine as long as his stool has white in it , most people rarely see there cham drink......

This morning, right before I misted him, he got on the bottom of the tank, and took the biggest dump I have ever seem. It's both brown and white, a pretty runny. He just layed there for awhile, then went back up to his perch.
His grip is still really strong, and he is looking normal now. What's up with this? thats just the way chams are as long as there is white in his stool its a good sign....if he is dark he stressed a little just let him get used to his new setup and home dont stress it unless there is something really wrong if his eyes sink in thats not enough water....

 

[Gensen]

Set up not recommended...

Hi, I got a male veiled cham for my b-day. He is "a young" (no other info) male. He is about 4 inches, from nose to vent. I've got him a week ago. keeping him in a 10 gal tank set-up with a screen top and uv light fixture with a 5.0 uvb reptisun light, and a 60 watt "moon-glow light in a dome clip on fixture for heat. the temp in the tank is around 82 in the day and I turn every thing off at night, so the temp drops to 70. humidity has been staying right at 50%. I monitor these with 2 different thermometers, and humidity gauge. I have a waterfall in the tank. I have read these really don't work that great, and they don't drink out of it, but I think it is helping to keep the humidity up. He is eating around 20 crickets a day, and is always on the look out for more. I feed him once a day in the morning, and spray his tank 3 times a day with warm water. I just added a real ficus plant to his tank, and he seems to like it. I washed this all down before I added it to he's tank. I am getting his permanent home today, a 24"x24"x48" all screen cage with an automatic mister, the temp and humidity gauges, with the probes, and a real hibiscus tree. I take him out about every other day, he seems to like climbing on me, and always go to the top of my head. We will go out side for awhile like this, so he can get some real sun. I live in Denver, CO, where we have been enjoying some unusually warm weather for Oct. It's been in the 80"s all last week.

Now for the questions. He went into a shed 2 days after I got him. Is this "normal", or more out of stress?
Now there are a bunch of tiny white specks on his body, is this left over from the shed?
I have seen him drink once and only once. He took a drop that was hanging from the screen top. He is now more of a brown, than the bright green he was showing in the beginning. Is this a problem?

This morning, right before I misted him, he got on the bottom of the tank, and took the biggest dump I have ever seem. It's both brown and white, a pretty runny. He just layed there for awhile, then went back up to his perch.
His grip is still really strong, and he is looking normal now. What's up with this?

My family is saying I'm getting obsisive, but I just want to know I'm doing the right thing for my little Igor!

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Diana

P.S. The two pics are of Igor, right after I got him (really green), and the other was taken today.

Hello and welcome. I know that you are a new keeper, so you may not be aware of proper care & keeping of Chameleons. It is NOT recommended to keep Chams in a glass tank... bad, It is bacteria breeding grounds and also Chams need suffiecient ventilation which can't be achived with a glass tank. So I was so happy to read that you are getting an all screen enclosure today, wonderful! Great! Waterfalls are also not recommended by experienced keepers in general because they are also breeding grounds for bacteria and can make your Cham sick, plus Chams like to poop in the water... again not good for cleanliness reasons. Also not sure is you have any subtrate on the bottom but if you do you will want to get rid of it... again it breeds bacteria.

Here are a few links that have lots of wonderful information to help new keepers such as yourself keep thier Cham's properly & healthy. But you are in a great place to learn here on the Forums. Here are some links you should read w some specific info on Veilds. Good luck to you and keep us posted!
https://www.chameleonforums.com/basic-husbandry-38769/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/

 

[SageZA]

Firstly i would like to say is, pet shops should have a dam rule pinup when it comes to Chameleons.

I am also a noob chameleon owner my Male veiled is almost three months old, but iv done my research before attempting any hobby that involves animals.

No Glass (Must be well ventilated lots of fresh air)
Well gut loaded food. (Dusted with good cal powder)
Natural sunlight and air (but do not leave the guy in the scorching sun for 4 hours with with spray downs)
Do not chop and change the chams cage every 5 min
Make sure you can look after them for atleast 5 to 7 years not throw them back at the pet shop after the first nip
They are not toys.

but good for you coming here and doing your research

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Guys she said she was getting a 2x2x4 ft enclosure. You didnt say if you had a dripper for him. You need to run a dripper. This is esp important if your cham is a closet drinker. I mist all my chams 3x a day and I mist heavily and I make it rain on my chams. So they all drink in front of me. If you mist them and keep misting them, they will drink. Plus the simulated rain helps wash out their eyes. I only use water that has been filtered for my chamms. No tap water. Its full of chlorine and other minerals.
20 crix a day is waaay too many. At his size he should be eatting 10-12 crix max a day. He's big enough to be eatting full size crix. You need to find at least 2 other prey items for him and keep a min of two on hand at all times. Some of the better prey items are: crix, super worms, horn worms, silkworms, flies, grasshoppers, katydids, dubia roaches, etc...

 

[lisa h]

Firstly i would like to say is, pet shops should have a dam rule pinup when it comes to Chameleons.

I am also a noob chameleon owner my Male veiled is almost three months old, but iv done my research before attempting any hobby that involves animals.

No Glass (Must be well ventilated lots of fresh air)
Well gut loaded food. (Dusted with good cal powder)
Natural sunlight and air (but do not leave the guy in the scorching sun for 4 hours with with spray downs)
Do not chop and change the chams cage every 5 min
Make sure you can look after them for atleast 5 to 7 years not throw them back at the pet shop after the first nip
They are not toys.

but good for you coming here and doing your research

I have to reply, because that's REALLY general. Kinda like a bad care sheet.
Chams can be kept in glass. For some species it's even better. It's the conditions *in* whatever enclosure you use that's most important.
Dusting schedules differ by species, and a person has to know when to use cal with d3, without, and also multivitamins
Not everyone can provide natural sunlight and outside air. In fact, I'd guess that most people don't. It's not always ideal.
Like every other living thing, no, they are not toys. This poster has come to the list to share and get some info. Doesn't sound like a passing fad (but, if it is for some people, then rehoming would be the best choice). JMO

 

[Syn]

Firstly i would like to say is, pet shops should have a dam rule pinup when it comes to Chameleons.

I am also a noob chameleon owner my Male veiled is almost three months old, but iv done my research before attempting any hobby that involves animals.

No Glass (Must be well ventilated lots of fresh air) Chameleons can be kept in glass, it may not be suggested if it is too hot, but that is not to say you shouldn't.
Well gut loaded food. (Dusted with good cal powder) Very vague, only listing calcium powder and not mentioning Cal w/D3 or a multivitamin.
Natural sunlight and air (but do not leave the guy in the scorching sun for 4 hours with with spray downs) What kind of spray downs? Does it HAVE to be natural? No, there are UVB lgihts.
Do not chop and change the chams cage every 5 min At least explain why.
Make sure you can look after them for atleast 5 to 7 years not throw them back at the pet shop after the first nip 5 to 7, huh?
They are not toys.

but good for you coming here and doing your research

I agree w/Lisa. This post is overly general, sorry. If you are going to give out information, give out good information.


Please read a more comprehensive care sheet such as http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/ or check out some blogs on the site.

 

[SageZA]

so sorry was in the moment, did you notice the noob part???


although Texas panther man pans is out very nicely.

i will be following his current and past news, as it seems he is a dedicated owner that has the know how

 

[Syn]

so sorry was in the moment, did you notice the noob part???

You do realize some people will follow bad advice, right? Even with good intentions.

 

[SageZA]

ok ....

No Glass (Must be well ventilated lots of fresh air)Chameleons can be kept in glass, it may not be suggested if it is too hot, but that is not to say you shouldn't (trust me glass turns sour for new comers if they have not been properly educated about cham keeping )

Well gut loaded food. (Dusted with good cal powder) Very vague, only listing calcium powder and not mentioning Cal w/D3 or a multivitamin. Repti Vit is a must once a week dusted on Sundays? not every day!

Natural sunlight and air (but do not leave the guy in the scorching sun for 4 hours with with spray downs) What kind of spray downs? Does it HAVE to be natural? No, there are UVB lights. Yes if you cham is lucky enough to have a monitored basking session form 14:00 till 16:00 give the critter a spray down with mineral water (if your water is full of chlorine and mercury> tell me? Does A UVB light cool you cham down outside? No! Use a spray bottle and also do research on other options. look i understand that not everyone has warm summers and mild winters like i do but still your cham needs outside exposure and as noob as i am i think Panther man will agree with me
Do not chop and change the chams cage every 5 min At least explain why Your cham needs to chill and get used to his almost natural habitat.
Make sure you can look after them for atleast 5 to 7 years not throw them back at the pet shop after the first nip. 5 to 7, huh? How many old mature veiled do you see back in the pet shop 2 months since purchase?

my 50c

 

[lisa h]

ok ....

No Glass (Must be well ventilated lots of fresh air)Chameleons can be kept in glass, it may not be suggested if it is too hot, but that is not to say you shouldn't (trust me glass turns sour for new comers if they have not been properly educated about cham keeping )

Well gut loaded food. (Dusted with good cal powder) Very vague, only listing calcium powder and not mentioning Cal w/D3 or a multivitamin. Repti Vit is a must once a week dusted on Sundays? not every day!

Natural sunlight and air (but do not leave the guy in the scorching sun for 4 hours with with spray downs) What kind of spray downs? Does it HAVE to be natural? No, there are UVB lights. Yes if you cham is lucky enough to have a monitored basking session form 14:00 till 16:00 give the critter a spray down with mineral water (if your water is full of chlorine and mercury> tell me? Does A UVB light cool you cham down outside? No! Use a spray bottle and also do research on other options. look i understand that not everyone has warm summers and mild winters like i do but still your cham needs outside exposure and as noob as i am i think Panther man will agree with me
Do not chop and change the chams cage every 5 min At least explain why Your cham needs to chill and get used to his almost natural habitat.
Make sure you can look after them for atleast 5 to 7 years not throw them back at the pet shop after the first nip. 5 to 7, huh? How many old mature veiled do you see back in the pet shop 2 months since purchase?

my 50c

Umm ... still mostly wrong info, but I'll leave it at that since this was a post about something else. I hope the original poster will get some better advice from members here.

 

[wrongroad]

Thank you everyone for the advice. Yes I have a auto drippier to go off every three hours, for 30 sec. I got the tank and every thing for my B.day, so basically my husband went into the pet shop, strictly reptiles, and said set me up. They sold him everything for a regular lizard, like a bearded dragon. Except for the heat rock. I didn't have much of a chance to find out anything before I got him.
Also, I am dusting the crickets with calcium and D3, every other day. Is this too much? The same pet shop told me to feed 20 med crickets a day, and to wait on any other food until he was older. Should I start him on other stuff now?

Thanks
Diana

P.S.
I never treat animals as disposable!

 

[facelesdoll]

those are his " RESTING COLORS" most of the time he will look much like the darker photo. when he becomes excited due to females or a threatening males he will flare or flash his most bright and deep colors. aswell with high heat after basking they display some venting colors that go beyond the rest of their spectrum

 

[Ace]

those are his " RESTING COLORS" most of the time he will look much like the darker photo. when he becomes excited due to females or a threatening males he will flare or flash his most bright and deep colors. aswell with high heat after basking they display some venting colors that go beyond the rest of their spectrum

i think you got that mixed up......

its normal to have light green color...they only darken to absorb heat or stressed out...other than that veileds should be allout green, i beleive...but hopefully someone with great experience with veileds can chime in.....

 

[Elizadolots]

Thank you everyone for the advice. Yes I have a auto drippier to go off every three hours, for 30 sec. I got the tank and every thing for my B.day, so basically my husband went into the pet shop, strictly reptiles, and said set me up. They sold him everything for a regular lizard, like a bearded dragon. Except for the heat rock. I didn't have much of a chance to find out anything before I got him.
Also, I am dusting the crickets with calcium and D3, every other day. Is this too much? The same pet shop told me to feed 20 med crickets a day, and to wait on any other food until he was older. Should I start him on other stuff now?

Thanks
Diana

P.S.
I never treat animals as disposable!

The board standard recommendation is for calcium without D3 every feeding, Vitamins and D-3 each twice a month.

While D-3 helps process calcium, in excess supplemental D-3 can have adverse affects on eyes, so it needs to be kept to the required amount, no more.

If you can give your chameleon a couple of hours of sunshine a day, you can pretty much ignore the whole D-3 issue because the D-3 the body produces from sunshine cannot be overdosed...

20 medium crickets seems a lot to me, but I'm not an expert. I'd say, feed what he eats. Once he's full grown you'll want to cut back.