New Chameleon!

[Charmeleon]

On Monday I purchased a new Veiled Chameleon from a local pet store.
As of today (Wednesday), it has only eaten one of the mealworms I have provided, and I had to feed it by hand.
I say it because I am not entirely sure the gender of the chameleon.
I have eco-earth dirt set up on the bottom of the cage with a layer of moss covering it to keep in humidity, I have a basking lamp I use for daytime and a "Night Black Heat" lamp I use for the evening. I also have a 5.0 UV-B lamp I keep on during daytime hours only. There is a climbing vine in the enclosure and I have fake plants that it seems to like to climb on
it is about 2.5-3 Inches from nose to vent. And seems to like being handled more than I have seen other chameleons enjoy it. The bottom of the enclosure is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the basking area is about 90 degrees.

My question is simple, am I doing this right? I would hate to do something wrong and hurt the cute little thing. I want it to live a long and happy life.

Also, why isn't it eating very much?

 

[parisaurusrex]

I'm pretty sure your temps are a bit high for a little guy! Also- I'd get rid of the substrate. If he's anything like my guy, he'll eat the moss and that can cause some serious issues! Can you post any photos of your set up?
As far as not eating goes - he may just be a little stressed out.

this will be very beneficial for you - https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums and congrats on your new Cham. He may be to warm and sometimes it take them a couple days to settle in before they will eat. The link below is how I have successfully kept baby veileds.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

More detailed info here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[craig90]

It's probably still stressed from moving to a new environment, which is why it's not eating much so far.

Veiled chameleons are easy to sex from a young age. Males have spurs on the back of their hind legs, females do not.

My suggestion would be to get rid of the light at night. A bit of temperature drop at night is good, the temperature your house is kept at during the night won't be too cold for a Veiled chameleon.

I would also add a live plant (such as pothos or schefflera) instead of using the moss.

 

[Charmeleon]

Here is what I have so far.

 

[Charmeleon]

I have HIM (Thanks for telling me how to sex them) in my basement. It gets cooler down there, that's why I have the night heat light.

 

[craig90]

Glad you figured out that he's a boy

I would go through the link on enclosures if I were you, you have a bit of work to do: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/enclosures/

Chameleons do best in screen enclosures that are vertical and not horizontal. As he gets bigger you'll want to move him to a minimum 2x2x4 screen cage.

As mentioned above, you should remove the moss and put some live plants in there for him, gives him hiding places and something else to munch on.

The issue with the night lights is that they can disturb your chameleon's sleeping even if you can't see the light. How cold does his room get at night?

Keep asking questions if there is anything you're unsure of.

 

[Charmeleon]

Glad you figured out that he's a boy

I would go through the link on enclosures if I were you, you have a bit of work to do: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/enclosures/

Chameleons do best in screen enclosures that are vertical and not horizontal. As he gets bigger you'll want to move him to a minimum 2x2x4 screen cage.

As mentioned above, you should remove the moss and put some live plants in there for him, gives him hiding places and something else to munch on.

The issue with the night lights is that they can disturb your chameleon's sleeping even if you can't see the light. How cold does his room get at night?

Keep asking questions if there is anything you're unsure of.

Thank you very much. I know my next investment for Him.
I'm thinking of this cage: http://www.reptiledirect.com/reptarium100165x30x48.aspx?gclid=CMaQuIaQ8LsCFclaMgodcA0Apg
How long should that last him? In months or years.
Also, it gets below 60 degrees; I would know, I sleep down there too. I did my best to get a light that makes no visible light whatsoever, but I suppose since reptiles see in a different spectrum than humans, it might make some light for him. I will check up on that.
Thanks for all your advice, it has been a huge help.

 

[jannb]

Thank you very much. I know my next investment for Him.
I'm thinking of this cage: http://www.reptiledirect.com/reptarium100165x30x48.aspx?gclid=CMaQuIaQ8LsCFclaMgodcA0Apg
How long should that last him? In months or years.
Also, it gets below 60 degrees; I would know, I sleep down there too. I did my best to get a light that makes no visible light whatsoever, but I suppose since reptiles see in a different spectrum than humans, it might make some light for him. I will check up on that.
Thanks for all your advice, it has been a huge help.

I think this cage would be better and it would last him until he's around 10 months old. http://www.diycages.com/15201/15901.html

Use a bulb like this to keep him around 68 to 70 at night: http://www.reptmart.com/p-1427-ceramic-heat-emitter-30-40-gal-ul-listed-100w-for-sale.aspx

 

[Charmeleon]

I think this cage would be better and it would last him until he's around 10 months old. http://www.diycages.com/15201/15901.html

Use a bulb like this to keep him around 68 to 70 at night: http://www.reptmart.com/p-1427-ceramic-heat-emitter-30-40-gal-ul-listed-100w-for-sale.aspx

I suppose a ceramic heat emitter wouldn't give off light, so thank you!
And Aluminum would be more sturdy than nylon mesh. And the price should work out for me too.
Thanks everyone! This forum is so helpful to new owners!