New Cham won't eat

[Poobingtonn]

Hi ! I got a juvenile veiled cham about 2 or so days ago. I've been manually misting his cage with a spray bottle multiple times per day (since I can't afford an automatic mister at the moment). His cage normally stays at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and at night, its a little over 62 or so. He has a screen cage that is 16x16x30, and has a 5.0 UVB 13w bulb, as well as a 60w daylight blue bulb. I leave some live meal worms in a small dish at the bottom of his cage, and occasionally put some on leaves near him. I put the worms in a Tupperware container with some calcium powder and shake them around before putting them in the tank. I also cut up some potatoes and put them in the container where the worms live and store it in the fridge so they don't turn into beetles. I've only SEEN him eat once since I got him. He has just been ignoring all of the worms I try to put near him. I'm also not sure if he's drinking the water that is on the plants after I mist him. Is there anything reason for this ? This is also my first chameleon and reptile in general. If there's any important information i've left out please feel free to ask ! I dont want him to be unhealthy. ty

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Hello and welcome to the forums. Please copy and paste the attached help forum and fill it out completely. Be ready for constructive criticism. From your attached picture I can tell you already you are going to need a lot of help and have a lot of money to spend and work ahead of you.


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.

 

[Poobingtonn]

Yes I know for sure that I'm gonna have to spend more money. I've already got my eyes set on a mister and day/night cycle outlet. I hope all of this info helps ya out ! And any criticism is fine, I really dont mind as long as it helps.


Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - He's a veiled chameleon. Not sure about the age or sex though. I'm pretty positive he's a juvenile. I've had him for about 2 1/2 days.
• Handling - Haven't handled him at all really aside from putting him in the cage.
• Feeding - I'm feeding him Calcium dusted meal worms. I always make sure to have 6 or more in his dish. I try to feed him in the morning, throughout the day, at about 6, and then before I go to bed.
• Supplements - I'm dusting the meal worms with repticalcium. I always dust them before I put them in his dish
• Watering - I spray the cage with a spray bottle. I spray him many times per day with many hard squirts from the bottle. I have not seen him drink yet.
• Fecal Description - I havent looked at it enough to give a description
• History - None that I'm aware of.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - It's a screen cage with the dimensions of 16x16x30
• Lighting - A 5.0 UVB 13w bulb, as well as a 60w daylight blue bulb. I turn both on when I wake up at around 8:30 or so, and turn them off once it gets dark outside (8-9pm)
• Temperature - The middle of the cage is about 78 constantly. I haven't measured the basking spot yet.
• Humidity - I'm currently waiting on a humidity sensor.
• Plants - Using fake plants currently
• Placement - It's in the corner of my room about 2 1/2 feet above the ground.
• Location - Sonoma County, California

Current Problem - Not sure if he's eating and drinking enough to be considered healthy.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - He's a veiled chameleon. Not sure about the age or sex though. I'm pretty positive he's a juvenile. I've had him for about 2 1/2 days.

With pictures I can give you a rough estimate of age. With pictures of the back of the back feet I can tell you the sex.

• Handling - Haven't handled him at all really aside from putting him in the cage.
• Feeding - I'm feeding him Calcium dusted meal worms. I always make sure to have 6 or more in his dish. I try to feed him in the morning, throughout the day, at about 6, and then before I go to bed.

Mealworms are a no no. They don't digest well and they're not very nutritional. Crickets, silkworms, and roaches are much better. Variety is key. You also want to only be feeding in the morning so your chameleon has time to digest its food properly using the heat from the lamp. I have 3 or 4 different feeder insects on hand at all times. What's even more important is what your gutloading with. What you feed your bugs goes into your chameleon after all.

• Supplements - I'm dusting the meal worms with repticalcium. I always dust them before I put them in his dish

You will need a multivitamin and a calcium + D3 as well. Calcium daily and once a week alternate between the multivitamin and the calcium + D3.

• Watering - I spray the cage with a spray bottle. I spray him many times per day with many hard squirts from the bottle. I have not seen him drink yet.

They are sky drinkers that prefer to drink off real plants. I'd suggest getting a Pothos.

• Fecal Description - I havent looked at it enough to give a description
• History - None that I'm aware of.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - It's a screen cage with the dimensions of 16x16x30

The dreaded "chameleon non-kit. At some point you will need to upgrade to either a 18x18x36 for a female which would need a lay bin as well (they lay infertile eggs like chickens) or 2x2x4' for a male.

• Lighting - A 5.0 UVB 13w bulb, as well as a 60w daylight blue bulb. I turn both on when I wake up at around 8:30 or so, and turn them off once it gets dark outside (8-9pm)

Coil bulbs are useless for any enclosure above 12-18" and really are of no benefit to chameleons. You will need to purchase a T5HO linear UVB hood.

• Temperature - The middle of the cage is about 78 constantly. I haven't measured the basking spot yet.

This needs to be measured and measured frequently. The basking temp will change with your ambient temps. No higher than 82*F for a juvenile veiled.

• Humidity - I'm currently waiting on a humidity sensor.

30-40% during the day 85-95% at night. You may need to purchase a fogger or cool mist humidifier to achieve such high night time humidity levels.

• Plants - Using fake plants currently

You need at least 1 real plant. 1 they love to sleep in them (cooler, more humid, and more secure feeling), 2 they help maintain humidity. 3 they drink off the leaves.

• Placement - It's in the corner of my room about 2 1/2 feet above the ground.
• Location - Sonoma County, California

Current Problem - Not sure if he's eating and drinking enough to be considered healthy.

Notes: see caresheets and attached link to care guide. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/