New Chameleon, Wrong Cage??

[Rhonna]

My friend and I recently bought a baby female veiled cham.

The lady we bought her from has her in an aquarium tank with ropes, branches, fake plants and such but I recently read that the aquarium isn't good for her because she needs ventilation.

She's also very skinny. When I held her a little bit ago, I noticed how thin she in and she was also very cold even after being in her tank with the heat lamp and everything.

Should we get a heating pad to lay at the bottom of the cage?

Also, should we start saving up to get her a screen cage?

I just want our baby to be as healthy and happy as possible.

 

[Masked Gecko]

First congrats on the new girl, but you probably should have done some research on Chams before you go her.

You will Definitely need a screen enclosure. There should be no need for a heat pad, Your heat lamps are to do the heating placed at a distance where you can get the proper temps using some kind of thermometer. Do you also have UV lamps, If not you will need bulbs that can produce uvb/uva.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[jbupland]

Just a thought but my daughter just got me a female veiled 2 days ago I had nothing to keep her in that would be sufficient for any long term survival. So I did a little research on the topic. I already had uv lighting and heat lamps laying about as I have had my bearded dragon for a few years now. You tend to accumulate these things. Anyway as I was saying I did some research and was able to make a nice 2x2x3 foot screened enclosure for her for under $40usd it took about 6 hours to do it right but with a few hand tools and an idea it came together. I still need to finish it as far as looks but that's only gonna run me about another 20 bucks or so but its functional and she likes it

 

[Rhonna]

Thank you!

I read that she needs 12 hours of darkness. The lady didn't tell us how long she had the light on her or anything of that matter.

Should we just turn it off when we go to bed and on in the morning?

 

[laurie]

Hello Rhonna welcome to the forums.The standard answer to time for lights is 12 on 12 off. Where I live my light is currently about 7am to 5 pm. So my lights are on for those times. The way it will work for you may be on when you get up and off when you go to bed.Chameleons do well with a sey schedule. Unless your hours are way off the time of the natural light, I would use your schedule as their schedule.