New chameleon issues

[bexandcharlotte]

Hey there.

We got a young Yemen chameleon (estimated around 5-6 months old) on Wednesday (25/06/14). We know it's just going to take time and privacy to let her get settled in. Our concern however is she has zero interest in food at the moment. We're beginning to get rather worried. We have a drip system in place and mist her 3-4 times a day but she doesn't seem interested in drinking either. She's chosen a favourite corner and stays there mostly. She does wander from there occasionally but not much. Are we doing things wrong? What can we do to try and entice her to eat?

Much thanks in advance,
bexandcharlotte

 

[Nosyparker]

You should fill this in try her with hoppers in a feeding cup or waxworms in a shallow dish.
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.


Pictures are helpful

 

[Psychobunny]

Hello, welcome to the forum.

If you could provide more details, like basking temp., what kind of UVB sorce, etc. and a pic of your cage set up, we would be better able to help.

There are several reasons why a cham will not eat or drink, and most of them are related to stress and unfamiliar surroundings, a sense of insecurity.
But could also be related to temps and UVB used.

 

[bexandcharlotte]

Hey thanks for the welcome and the suggestions.

She finally ate today so I think it's just stress of being re-homed.

She's a female Yemen/veiled chameleon, estimated 5 months old. At the time of writing this she's been in my care 6 days. I haven't even attempted handling her yet as I don't wanna stress her out more. Currently feeding her crickets gut loaded with orange and dusted with calcium powder. Today she's eaten 6 crickets, literally just before I wrote this. she has a drip system and gets misted 3-4 times daily. Her faeces is normal.

She's currently in a combo viv made up mostly of screens. It's 26x18x16 inches, with a 5.0 ubv coil light and a 60 watt basking spot light. Her tank ranges from about 73 degrees f to 85 according to my thermometer with her basking spot reaching 98 at times. She's in my bedroom as I spend most time in my sitting room and my room is quiet. I live in Wales.

 

[bexandcharlotte]

Sorry for double post but make that 8 crickets now

 

[jannb]

Congrats on your new girl. She is a pretty little lady. I would recommend keeping a laying bin in her enclosure at all time because the girls can and often do lay eggs without a male even being around. I'm attaching a few links for you below about general care and egg laying and the laying bin.
General veiled care: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
Female Veiled care: http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
Egg laying and the laying bin: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html#comment2073
Making a laying bin: https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/
More great chameleon info: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[bexandcharlotte]

Congrats on your new girl. She is a pretty little lady. I would recommend keeping a laying bin in her enclosure at all time because the girls can and often do lay eggs without a male even being around. I'm attaching a few links for you below about general care and egg laying and the laying bin.

Hey thank you very much the laying bin is currently being worked on as I definitely don't wanna risk her becoming egg bound. Thanks for the links we'll be sure to check them out now

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

89 degrees in the basking spot is too hot. I would aim for 82-85.

 

[bexandcharlotte]

89 degrees in the basking spot is too hot. I would aim for 82-85.

Thanks I'll move her basking bulb a little away

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Or you can drop the wattage to 40, that's what I use with all my females

 

[bexandcharlotte]

That too. I'll nip into town tomorrow. Thanks for the pointer