New chameleon owner :)

[laurahlove]

Hi all I just got my little one yesterday, she's a veiled chameleon. I got a whole start up kit and everything together, so I think everything's right, hopefully I also own 2 pictus geckos and 1 leopard gecko and I take care of the reptiles at the pet store I work at, so I'm not new to reptiles, but I am new to owning a chameleon!

Her tank, underneath my pictus gecko tank, which is next to Leo tank c:

Up close I don't have anything for the floor yet, I had paper towels but I woke up this morning but the dripper thing had soaked them, so that's why the sponge is there haha. Don't worry its brand new. I'm thinking repti carpet though? Cut to fit?

Here she is I don't have a name yet, I'm letting my brother name her (but I have to agree with it lol)

She's a cutie

So I have some questions, being a nube to chams:
Do they have to have a night time heat bulb? Like a blue 50 watt? Cause the kit didn't come with one and it seems kinda cold with no night light...?

Can I get another one for her? (A friend?) And if so, would it have to be a female or could it be a male because of how young she is?

What's the best substrate to use on the floor? I know I talked about it earlier but I'm not sure really of what to get.

My thermometer is reading around 84° during the day. Is that a good temperature for her?

Sorry for the questions, I did look at the posts for "nubes" and read stuff before posting this, I just would rather have a conversation with someone about it.

Thank you!

Laurah

 

[carol5208]

Hi Laura and welcome to the forums and chameleon ownership! First thing I would do is get the cage up off the ground. Either switch it out with one of the other enclosures you have set up or find a new spot for it. Chameleons like to be high up. If you plan on getting another, whether it be a female or male, they will need separate enclosures. Babies can be housed for the first couple of months or so, but after that they need to separated. They really are solitary creatures, so don't worry about her getting lonely. No heat needed at night. Some people say no heat unless it drops below 60 but others say 50 is the cutoff. They have been known to survive outside in the 40's. No substrate on the floor. Bare is best. 84 is too high, especially for a baby. Most Veild keepers try and keep their basking temps in the low 80's and the cage in the 70's. Females can start laying eggs (whether bred or not) and higher temps are suspected of aiding in egg production. You will need a laying bin for her when she becomes sexually mature(at about 5-6) months incase she develops eggs and has to lay.

 

[laurahlove]

Thanks for actually answering all of my questions yes, the way all of my cages are set up right now is just temporary, I'm going to get a big 3 shelving unit to take up that space. (Room for more reptiles!(; ) but I will definitely be putting her up top. Okay, I wont get her a friend, I wasn't sure. I live in Florida so I don't think my house will be getting below 60, even in the winter haha. Yes, I read about an egg laying bin, how old do you think she is? I got her from a reptile store, not a chain pet store.

Thanks again

 

[carol5208]

If I saw her on your finger or hand I could guess the age better. Sometimes pics can be deceiving, but with what you provided I would say 2-3 months old. I live in Florida also. You will never need heat at night if kept indoors. If she was outdoors and you had a very cold night like in the 40's or 50's, I would just bring her in. Where in Florida do you live?

 

[laurahlove]

 

[laurahlove]

I live in Tampa and I got her cage off the ground! I'll post a picture of my new shelves later. Where are you?

 

[laurahlove]

Taadaa!! She's all the way up there now

 

[laurahlove]

My Leos tank is a 20 tall which doesn't fit so I have to get a 20 long tomorrow so for now she's on the floor, my poor baby