New cham owner

[Tigerpollock]

Hello there, I recently got my first cham, and I would love some confirmation and advice. Her name is Arya, she is a veiled, and she is only a few months old. Her enclosure is far from perfect, and I still need to buy her TONS of product. She has a UVB lamp, but I still need a bulb for a heat lamp. I made a cheap dripper out of a plastic bag, filled it with water and put small holes in it so it drips down through the screen every few seconds. My problem here is that it accumulates at the bottom and leaks out. Any ideas on stopping this? I've thought maybe a heating pad to evaporate it, but the bottom does not look heat proof. I also need more vines and plants in there, she has no where near enough. There is a forest in my back yard with PLENTY of sticks, but is it advisable to put real sticks in the enclosure? I'm worried about them growing fungus with the mist, and humidity. Also, opinions on a fogger, and\or recommendations? I wish I could show a picture, but i am currently in school.

 

[Tigerpollock]

I would also like some advice on hand feeding, I know that it takes a while for any animal to get acclimated and comfortable to a new environment, especially reptiles. But I would love to know how/when to start, crickets or worms? should I take her out as well or just hold it in the enclosure?

 

[KapitalJ]

For the water issue at the bottom of the cage, you can try to hang vines underneath the dripper so the water rolls down the leaves, then place a Tupperware container under the set of leaves where the water is dripping off. Then you can empty as needed.

Piece of advice as is seems to happen too often.
You should try to have everything set up and running for a good week before ever bringing home an animal. This way you can ask for advice on your set up and have it perfect for your new friend, or just to make sure you are hitting the right temps etc.. You wouldn't move your family into a house if the bathroom wasn't caulked, furnace not installed yet or walls unpainted. You know what I mean?

You really need to get a basking lamp, this is how they digest their food.

Branches from your backyard will work great! Just give them a scrub with some soapy water, and a good rinse. They should grow mold or anything as your cage should dry our between mistings..

Good sign is that you are researching, and looking for advice! There are many here to help!

 

[Jordan S]

If you barley got the chameleon, give it time to get used to his/her new home. After about two to three weeks you can try to hand feed it. My baby veiled that I just got a week ago loves to be hand fed, as she would get the crickets right out of my fingers!

 

[carol5208]

You can use a regular house bulb for basking. For a Veild, a basking temp of about 85 is good so try different wattages to get the right temperature. If you do not have a temp gun or gauge in your tank, you need one. Basking bulb is very important, so please get that asap. It is really advisable to have the cage set up all BEFORE you get your chameleon.

 

[Tigerpollock]

You can use a regular house bulb for basking. For a Veild, a basking temp of about 85 is good so try different wattages to get the right temperature. If you do not have a temp gun or gauge in your tank, you need one. Basking bulb is very important, so please get that asap. It is really advisable to have the cage set up all BEFORE you get your chameleon.

Thanks guys, I'll see if i have any spare bulbs. If i had known ahead of time that I was getting a cham then I totally would have everything set up.

For the water issue at the bottom of the cage, you can try to hang vines underneath the dripper so the water rolls down the leaves, then place a Tupperware container under the set of leaves where the water is dripping off. Then you can empty as needed.

Piece of advice as is seems to happen too often.
You should try to have everything set up and running for a good week before ever bringing home an animal. This way you can ask for advice on your set up and have it perfect for your new friend, or just to make sure you are hitting the right temps etc.. You wouldn't move your family into a house if the bathroom wasn't caulked, furnace not installed yet or walls unpainted. You know what I mean?

You really need to get a basking lamp, this is how they digest their food.

Branches from your backyard will work great! Just give them a scrub with some soapy water, and a good rinse. They should grow mold or anything as your cage should dry our between mistings..

Good sign is that you are researching, and looking for advice! There are many here to help!

Thanks guys, I'll see if I have any spare bulbs. If I had known ahead of time that I was getting a cham then I totally would have everything set up. The story here; I already have two snakes, so my parents were very adamant about NO MORE PETS! But I went to a reptile expo over the weekend, and won $50 in a raffle. My dad told me that I could get something, so I wouldn't waste the money, and I had been eyeing this $50 veiled for a while, so I decided she was the one. Now that I'm home, I'll see if i can get a picture.

 

[Tigerpollock]

So this is what I've got now: I brought in some sticks from outside, I put a fluorescent light that I had above on top of the cage temporarily.
What I still need: A lot more vines and plants, a permanent heat bulb, something to catch the drops.
Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully i can get everything situated, and Arya can begin her happy new life.
If theres anything else you guys notice, please tell me!

 

[hkitchen]

Temperature and humidity gauges, feeder cup possibly, egg laying bin eventually.

 

[KapitalJ]

Basking Bulb ASAP. The florescent light won't be giving off any heat. Just go to the dollar store and grab a light bulb or 2.