New chameleon grandma with questions!

[Winnie5761]

So my 13yr old grandson brings home a chameleon from the pet store and since my daughter is not allowed pets in her apartment (yes, even caged ones) it came to my house. Of course, it's female. He never does anything the easier way. Lol. He brought along a cage bought at the same pet store that I could tell immediately was grossly lacking what was necessary for a healthy, well, anything.
I am not a reptile person! I've had the usual animals up to this point; dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, mice, rats even a pig. But they have all been warm blooded mammals. So I started doing some research. That's when I figured out it was a female. Her name is Mary Jane (MJ for short). I have no clue of her age but she is about 6 1/2" from tip to tip. She also shed a few days after she got here. I am in the process of building her a cage with lots of live plants. The cage dimensions will be 5'Hx3.5'Wx2'D. 4' HO UVB as well as a basking bulb. I have approximately 15 plants waiting to go in. My husband is building me a misting system that I can control from an app on my phone. And I will add a nesting box that can stay in the enclosure.

Current enclosure

Ok, questions:

Does the new enclosure sound adequate through adulthood?

Do I need anything else?

Most importantly, could she be ready to lay already? I've noticed her explore her cage during the day and once or twice walking on the bottom. But the last 2 mornings, she was very close to the bottom of the cage. Could she be looking for a place to lay?

Thank you so much for any advice you can give.

Gramma

 

[Winnie5761]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that she is a veiled

 

[Gloriawood]

What a cutie patootie!!! Your cage size sounds good. Minimum for an adult is 2x2x4. Get a probe thermometer so you can measure temperature at the basking spot. What strength is your UVB? I would remove the net as it can catch on her little nails. Add lots more branches (you can use real ones from outside just no sap producing ones). And I’ll attach a list of safe live plants. Make sure you use the veiled tested ones as they are plant munchers!! I’ll also attach a feeder and gutload list.

You are on the right track and in a great place for advice. I’ll let others chime in on the female specific things.

 

[Winnie5761]

Get a probe thermometer so you can measure temperature at the basking spot.

I have one. The temp is 80⁰

What strength is your UVB?

I am still on the hunt for this. I realized yesterday I bought the wrong one. It was a direct wire and I need a plug-in. For now I'm using whatever came in the enclosure kit my daughter bought. When u say strength do u mean lumens? I'm looking for a 5000-5500 lumens.

 

[Winnie5761]

A few better pics of MJ. This seams to be her "resting" color. She gets beautiful black markings when she's upset. U know, "You're beautiful when you're angry" I try to keep everything as calm as possible in her room and we try not to disturb her much. She's only been here 8 days.

 

[Gloriawood]

I have one. The temp is 80⁰



I am still on the hunt for this. I realized yesterday I bought the wrong one. It was a direct wire and I need a plug-in. For now I'm using whatever came in the enclosure kit my daughter bought. When u say strength do u mean lumens? I'm looking for a 5000-5500 lumens.

Ok so on the end of the bulb it was say something like 6%,10%,5.0 or 10.0. This is the UVB strength. You want a T5 HO linear fixture and the bulb should be 5.0 or 6%

 

[Winnie5761]

Does it matter if the bulb is LED or flourescent?

 

[TheMotherChameleon]

Does it matter if the bulb is LED or flourescent?

LEDs are not recommended for chameleons

 

[GrannyK]

Does it matter if the bulb is LED or flourescent?

https://www.lllreptile.com/products/35822-arcadia-d3-6-uvb-t5-bulb--34?gad_source=1

This is a good bulb for uvb, you will need the 54w 46in for your enclosure. Zoo med or repti sun makes a 5% HO UVB bulb that is also adequate. But the fixture needs to fit these bulb types. They need to be T5 Ho fixtures.

What a cutie you have!!!

 

[GrannyK]

Welcome to the forum! It’s a wonderful chamily.

 

[Winnie5761]

Welcome to the forum! It’s a wonderful chamily.

Thank you! I just ordered the lighting I need. Now I just need to wait for that and all the parts for the misting system to arrive and my husband can start building!

The things we do for our grandkids!

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! This is wonderful and I just love your involvement and care for your grandson’s little green alien. If you haven’t already found https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/ it is the most current standards of care and just an amazing place for learning so very much. Your little cutie is a piebald, or translucent, which is why she has the little pink arms. She doesn’t look old enough yet for laying eggs…she doesn’t yet have her big girl colors. This will help go thru the laying process and all. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ You’ve got a little bit of time yet for that though. You will want to replace all of the artificial plants with safe live ones. Our veiled friends like to nibble their plants and the fake ones can cause bowel obstruction if eaten. I’m excited to see the beautiful home you’ll be making for her. Oh…this is another blog that will be helpful…on building trust. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/building-trust-with-your-chameleon.2396/ If you have any questions, just ask.

 

[Beppo]

Hi and welcome! I think it’s so sweet that you not only took in this little cutie, but that you are doing everything you can to make sure it has a great life! Everyone here is so helpful I’m glad you found the forums

 

[MzLaurie]

Bless your heart Gramma! Welcome to the amazing world of chameleons. I am so happy you found this forum. Looks to me like she is 4-5 months old! Perfect age to assure she gets a good start in life. You are going to want to get a timer strip. 12 hours on 12 hours off. I try to aline mine with the sun. You are on the right track with getting proper lighting and heat. Humidity is also important and supplements. Calcium without d3 daily. You can lightly dust the live crickets and/or worms. Then twice a month reptivite with d3. The vitamin A is very important for their eyes. Also no heat at night. Just make sure the room temp doesn’t drop below 50-55. Beman can do an enclosure check for you. She is so knowledgeable. Thank you for stepping up for your grandson. You are fantastic!

 

[Winnie5761]

I know, MJ! I'm sorry! It's so close to being ready! Look!

Pappy is going to make some "dragon ledges" at work today so I can hang your plants and make you a scaffolding. The new parts for the misting system should be here by the end of the week. I'm going to paint the exterior today.

I know this was supposed to be a weekend project, but things happen! You will be in your new home by this weekend. I promise!

 

[GrannyK]

Annoyingly awaiting her new palace!! how precious!! It looks Beautiful

 

[Winnie5761]

Annoyingly awaiting her new palace!! how precious!! It looks Beautiful

Thank you! Open to any constructive criticism. Nothing is really where it needs to be. My husband is making me some dragon ledge-like hangers. And he's bringing home a pole chain saw. I've been looking for an excuse to trim the branches off my neighbors tree that are hanging over my yard. I'll use those to build her scaffolding. We made a dripper out of an old gallon jug, a small shut off valve and a couple rubber washers. The entire enclosure was built out of firring strips. The legs are 2x6s bolted to the floor. (Hubby wears steel-toed boots; don't need him stubbing his foot and breaking the leg.)

I can't wait to see how she likes it!

 

[GrannyK]

Well I’m not the greatest interior decorator. I know that pothos will grow in and be full, What about a bromeliad or something with a pop of color? For midway up on the left side… I don’t know though, looks good to me. Also, I don’t have a veiled and they love munching on their plants so keep that in mind when choosing foliage.
You all have a lucky little lady there, she’s adorable!

 

[Winnie5761]

I know that pothos will grow in and be full, What about a bromeliad or something with a pop of color?

I have several pothos and a bromeliad waiting to go in.

 

[Gloriawood]

Well I’m not the greatest interior decorator. I know that pothos will grow in and be full, What about a bromeliad or something with a pop of color? For midway up on the left side… I don’t know though, looks good to me. Also, I don’t have a veiled and they love munching on their plants so keep that in mind when choosing foliage.
You all have a lucky little lady there, she’s adorable!

Is the bromeliad ok for veileds who like to eat their plants? I really want to add some color in Spaghettis enclosure, and I’ve seen some in stores here. But he eats EVERYTHING.