New Cham

[mlott2112]

Hello everyone, this is my first post and new to the forums.

I just purchased a new cham from a reptile show yesterday They said it was a "Sailfin" but I am not sure that it is or not. I was hoping that I could get some help from you all to identify the species of cham this is. I want to provide the proper husbandry and need to be sure what it is first.

Any help from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Lizardlover]

That is, in fact a crested, chameleon (Trioceros cristatus) and it is in terrible shape. Keep it cool and humid, and make sure you are giving it 10+ minute misting sessions to help it rehydrate. it is difficult to determine the sex by your photos, males are normally predominantly orange while females are normally a uniform green. It also appears the chameleon has suffered some trauma to its "crest", possibly a burn. Can you provide us with a full picture of it's enclosure?

 

[mlott2112]

Here are some pics of my enclosure for him.

Thanks for the fast response. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I could not tell if the crest issue was from a recent shed or as you hinted at a burn...

 

[MrGonzo123]

Wow

Here are some pics of my enclosure for him.

Thanks for the fast response. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I could not tell if the crest issue was from a recent shed or as you hinted at a burn...

You have an Awesome set up..

 

[mlott2112]

Here are I hope to be some better closeup pics of his crest.

I am very concerned because he/she has opened its eyes a couple times this morning but for the most part is sitting there with eyes closed.

 

[mlott2112]

You have an Awesome set up..

Thank you, I have a few more things I want to do. I just want to provide the best home I can for him. I am concerned about this new crested I picked up yesterday, I hope I can get him back to being healthy asap.....

 

[Dez]

Crested chameleons get dehydrated very easily. I would suggest putting her in the shower with cool/warm water for 20 -30 min and let her drink all she wants

They are not the easiest species to keep and Wild Caughts always make it just a little bit harder.

 

[Trace]

It's a female. She's wild caught. Thus explains the missing scales around her head and along her top line - it's not a burn. Judging by her size and the time of year she is probably also gravid.

 

[mlott2112]

Holy cow! I have only had one prior chameleon and it was a male Jackson's. This is my first exp with a female and a possible prego one at that. I believe the proper course would be to provide her with a container with sand in it at the bottom of her enclosure?

When you say put her in the shower I assume not to let the water actually pound on her?

Thanks to everyone for all the VERY helpful information.

 

[mlott2112]

It's a female. She's wild caught. Thus explains the missing scales around her head and along her top line - it's not a burn. Judging by her size and the time of year she is probably also gravid.

What causes them to develop missing scales in the wild? Sorry if this is a idiot question but I hate to assume things

 

[Trace]

Ah sorry! I have not finished my coffee as of yet. Two weeks ago she was probably sitting in a bush in Cameroon and suddenly she was thrust into a bag or box with hundreds of other chameleons. What you are seeing are missing scales, stuck sheds, scratches and bruising from living in VERY close quarters with other specimens. Conditions of late have not been ideal for her. I can't lie; precious few cristatus make it past the importation process and you've got a tough road ahead of you.

Yes provide a lay bin for her but most importantly right now is give her a long rehydrating shower; she needs it. Cristatus also come from areas of Cameroon that have distinctive long rainy seasons so she is used to having lots of water so make sure she gets misted for long periods daily.

 

[mlott2112]

Thank you for the great info! I am upset with myself that I have contributed to the process of wild caught chameleons. I am going to get her in the shower now and will post back afterwards.

Question: How deep does the lay bin need to be and what substrate do I use for the bin?

 

[camimom]

Thank you for the great info! I am upset with myself that I have contributed to the process of wild caught chameleons. I am going to get her in the shower now and will post back afterwards.

Question: How deep does the lay bin need to be and what substrate do I use for the bin?

I hope you are able to get your cham back in good health.
Most people use lay bins about 12 inches deep.
many people use washed play sand (from walmart or something) as the substrate for lay bins.
There are some females that get stubborn about laying, and have to be put in lay bins that they cannot climb out of.
For those people use large trash cans filled with sand, put a branch or two in, and leave her.

Good lcuk!

 

[carol5208]

playsand needs to be moistened so it will hold a tunnel.

 

[mlott2112]

Thank you to both of you for the laying bin info.

I just got her out of the shower, she drank a ton of water. She is back in her environment and did a little climbing around. Currently she is sitting still with eyes closed. I will repeat the process in a bit and keep doing it till she gets her eyes open. I am headed out to buy a container for her egg laying bin.

I will update again when I get back.

Thanks again to everyone's concern and help.

 

[Trace]

The cristatus are found primarily on low bushes and spend a lot of time close to the ground and I notice these same behaviours in captivity with mine. They spend more time using the horizontal space (or hunting etc) than the vertical space for basking and such. Your cage is gorgeous but maybe in the meantime while she is in 'recovery mode' setting her up in a low cage or even a Rubbermaid container might be better. Less chance of falls (if her eyes aren't open), she will be able to find food better and you are able to keep temps and humidity were they should be. The cristatus are VERY shy so keep handling to a minimum.

We used plain old moistened - but not wet - potting soil for egg laying and they don't dig very deep tunnels like some other species. Give the girls what they need and they know what to do!

If you have further questions, please don't be shy.

EDIT to ADD: Gestation of cristatus can be quite lengthy and she may or may not lay eggs right away for you. Focus on the hydration.

 

[mlott2112]

The cristatus are found primarily on low bushes and spend a lot of time close to the ground and I notice these same behaviours in captivity with mine. They spend more time using the horizontal space (or hunting etc) than the vertical space for basking and such. Your cage is gorgeous but maybe in the meantime while she is in 'recovery mode' setting her up in a low cage or even a Rubbermaid container might be better. Less chance of falls (if her eyes aren't open), she will be able to find food better and you are able to keep temps and humidity were they should be. The cristatus are VERY shy so keep handling to a minimum.

We used plain old moistened - but not wet - potting soil for egg laying and they don't dig very deep tunnels like some other species. Give the girls what they need and they know what to do!

If you have further questions, please don't be shy.

EDIT to ADD: Gestation of cristatus can be quite lengthy and she may or may not lay eggs right away for you. Focus on the hydration.

Thanks Trace Should I attempt to feed her some crickets or should I hold off till she opens her eyes?

 

[Trace]

I suppose it's not going to hurt but I'm not sure she will eat. Usually I'm not a proponent of cup feeding but containing the insects while she acclimates might be a good idea. Crickets are notoriously evil beings and will go after debilitated chameleons. The cristatus don't have huge appetites so you don't have to offer lots of bugs and if she is gravid her appetite won't be large. I have not noticed them to be picky eaters but I have not had success getting them to eat soft bodied bugs like silks or horns. That's probably just me. However, those bugs are packed full of juice and also good getting water into her if she does take them. Most wild caught chameleons can't resist flies (probably not a good idea in your case right now) and green bugs. If you live close to a health food store or aquarium shop pick up a small amount of Spirulina and dust your crickets in that - it makes them an irresistible green!

Good luck! The cristatus are one of my favourites and I really hope she pulls through.

 

[mlott2112]

Just wanted to give an update..

Yesterday I gave her a long shower and several LONG misting periods. She continues to remain perched with eyes closed. I have chosen not to feed her yet until I see a little improvement on the dehydration.

This morning she is in the same condition. I'm about to give her a shower and go from there.

Any further help would be very appreciated.

 

[camimom]

Just wanted to give an update..

Yesterday I gave her a long shower and several LONG misting periods. She continues to remain perched with eyes closed. I have chosen not to feed her yet until I see a little improvement on the dehydration.

This morning she is in the same condition. I'm about to give her a shower and go from there.

Any further help would be very appreciated.

Even though she is not openeing her eyes right now, and Im sure she would hae aproblem hunting food in that condition, you may want to try to get her to eat some.
I would try some bug juice, or i think its called reptaid.
Bug juice is blended bugs... yum i know.
make some, then get a needless syringe, suck it up, and see if you can get a drop of it in her. food substance can help with improvement. Just be sure the drop isnt too big or she could breathe it in and aspirate it.

JMO.