New Chameleon help

[Railiroo]

Hi! I'm new to this forum and new to owning a Chameleon. We have a veiled chameleon and have had him/her for 4 days. Today he started shedding. He is usually really nice and when we open his enclosure he comes crawling into our hands (we only hold him for about 5 minutes, twice a day) but today he was hissing and hiding. We left him alone and sprayed down his enclosure again. I don't know if he is grumpy because he is shedding or if he is stressed. Any help would be so appreciated. Also any advice or tips for a newbie would be great! I attached a picture of him.

 

[bobbydigital]

He might not be completely used to you yet. Usually when they're new you want to avoid handling and let them settle in their new enclosure. Also you can answer the following questions to make sure you're doing everything correctly:

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.

 

[serenaj25]

Hi! I'm new to this forum and new to owning a Chameleon. We have a veiled chameleon and have had him/her for 4 days. Today he started shedding. He is usually really nice and when we open his enclosure he comes crawling into our hands (we only hold him for about 5 minutes, twice a day) but today he was hissing and hiding. We left him alone and sprayed down his enclosure again. I don't know if he is grumpy because he is shedding or if he is stressed. Any help would be so appreciated. Also any advice or tips for a newbie would be great! I attached a picture of him.

Hi! What a gorgeous cham you've got there. I wouldn't be concerned about the way he is acting, almost every cham gets a little extra grumpy when they're shedding as it is an uncomfortable process for them to go through. Try to keep the humidity up and he/she will get the shed off themselves. Try to leave him/her alone for a few days so it has a chance to get used to its new enclosure. Hope this helps! p.s regarding the sex of the animal, if you post a picture of the back feet of your chameleon, we will easily be able to tell you the gender of your chameleon this way you know whether or not to watch out for a graced cham (if its a girl)

-Serena

 

[serenaj25]

*gravid not graced

 

[Railiroo]

Hi! What a gorgeous cham you've got there. I wouldn't be concerned about the way he is acting, almost every cham gets a little extra grumpy when they're shedding as it is an uncomfortable process for them to go through. Try to keep the humidity up and he/she will get the shed off themselves. Try to leave him/her alone for a few days so it has a chance to get used to its new enclosure. Hope this helps! p.s regarding the sex of the animal, if you post a picture of the back feet of your chameleon, we will easily be able to tell you the gender of your chameleon this way you know whether or not to watch out for a graced cham (if its a girl)

-Serena

Okay I will try and take one in the morning thank you!

 

[Railiroo]

Here is one I don't know if you can see it from here?

 

[bobbydigital]

From the picture it looks like a female. But still kind of hard to tell. Look up tarsal spurs on veiled chameleon and then check if yours has them.

 

[kinyonga]

Tarsal spurs...
http://web.archive.org/web/20060819...m.com/html/husbandry/glossary/tarsalspur.html

 

[serenaj25]

judging by the angle of the picture and what I see its a female, but I could be wrong. try posting a close up of the side of his/her feet