New chameleon

[Nicky930]

Hi. So I just got my first veiled chameleon from FL chams and when I first opened the box he looked pretty green. Now ever since I put him in his cage he has been very dark olive green. Is this normal, I just wanna make sure he isn't unhappy

 

[Crashbandit05]

Both light and dark shades can be indications of stress. If you just got him, leave him be for at least two weeks to settle. His colors should 'relax' eventually.

 

[Syreptyon]

Since you are new, please fill out the following form in its entirety, including pictures of your cham and the entire cage, so we can see how you are keeping him. This information will help give us an idea of whether his coloration may indicate stress/illness/etc.


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.

 

[Graves923]

I agree with the above posts. He is most likely just stressed due to being in a new enclosure and environment. After a few weeks, he should relax a bit. While he is settling in I wouldnt stare into the cage too much and try to ignore him while doing cage maintenance and such. Eventually he wont try to hide as quickly when he sees you enter the room.

Like Syreptyon posted, if you fill out that form with all the info requested, we can help you out and make sure your husbandry is correct.

Best of luck with your new cham!

 

[Harry The Cham]

This is normal I got my cham from a pet store they said when he came he was dark like that for about 2 weeks before he got used to the place and ever since he has been fine even moving into a bigger home.

 

[Nicky930]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Male veiled 3-4 months it has been in my care for about 5 hours.
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? I only picked him up to take him from his box to his cage
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? I offered 6 crickets so far at around noon. They were gut loaded w kale but I just got more gut loading food.
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? I dusted the crickets with a calcium supplement with no d3 from zoo med
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I am misting him 3-4 times a day 1-2 minuetes at a time and I also have a dropper going. I have not seen him drinking
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Poop was brown not runny and urate was white. I have not yet tested him for parasites but I am planning on it
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. No

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? 18x18x36 screen cage
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?Reptisun 5.0 uvb light and repetí basking spot lamp 50watt basking light both zoo med.
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Cage floor is about 68F-72F and basking spot is 82F-84F. I measur these with exoterra combo meters
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? My humidity levels are 40-50%. I maintain these by hand misting 3-4 times a day 1-2 mins with a spray bottle and have a dropper going at all times. I measure the humidity with a exoterra combo meter.
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes a pathos plant.
• 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? My cage is located in my bedroom. It isn't near any air vents or fans or height traffic environments. The top of the cage is about 5 and a half feet from the floor.
• Location - Where are you geographically located? Long Island NY

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about. Chameleon is dark and not eating.

#3Today at 12:56 PM

 

[Syreptyon]

Here is some advice on what you've provided:

Gutload: Kale is definitely a good start, but be sure to include more than just that (and avoid commercially bought pre-made gutloads which are not good). Other items to consider include: collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, sweet potato, papaya, carrot, squash, and more.

Supplements: Calcium without D3 is not the only supplement you will need, although it should be what you use the most. You will want to dust with calcium without D3 at just about every feeding, but you almost must dust with calcium with D3 twice monthly and also with a multivitamin twice monthly (you can alternate using D3 or multivitamin on a weekly basis). These additional supplements are critical to his health.

Cage type: This cage will do for now, but keep in mind that veileds grow very quickly! You will need to upgrade to 24x24x48 within a couple months if not sooner.

Also please attach a picture of the whole enclosure.

 

[Nicky930]

Here is some advice on what you've provided:

Gutload: Kale is definitely a good start, but be sure to include more than just that (and avoid commercially bought pre-made gutloads which are not good). Other items to consider include: collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, sweet potato, papaya, carrot, squash, and more.

Supplements: Calcium without D3 is not the only supplement you will need, although it should be what you use the most. You will want to dust with calcium without D3 at just about every feeding, but you almost must dust with calcium with D3 twice monthly and also with a multivitamin twice monthly (you can alternate using D3 or multivitamin on a weekly basis). These additional supplements are critical to his health.

Cage type: This cage will do for now, but keep in mind that veileds grow very quickly! You will need to upgrade to 24x24x48 within a couple months if not sooner.

Also please attach a picture of the whole enclosure.

The milk carton is a place to put the crickets so he can find them. Only temporary for when he is tiny

 

[Nicky930]

Little guy finally greened up and I got a good pic. I put crickets and 2 wax worms in his cage pretty sure he ate them!

 

[Angelwolf]

Both light and dark shades can be indications of stress. If you just got him, leave him be for at least two weeks to settle. His colors should 'relax' eventually.

Side note: I did not know that light color can indicate stress.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Side note: I did not know that light color can indicate stress.

Panthers are a good example, when they brighten a lot, it could indicate stress, unless they are about to breed, etc. We are all always learning!

 

[Fiona's Mom]

Congratulations on your new little guy and welcome to Chameleon Forums. What did you name your little guy? The best advice I can give you is read everything possible on this forum...even if you don't think it applies because someday it it may. When listening to advice it may not always be correct (we are human and make mistakes) try to follow the advice of members who have been here a while. Most of us are still learning.

 

[Angelwolf]

Panthers are a good example, when they brighten a lot, it could indicate stress, unless they are about to breed, etc. We are all always learning!

Well. That's what Echo did. Right before he started declining rapidly. I took it as a good sign, but it wasn't.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Well. That's what Echo did. Right before he started declining rapidly. I took it as a good sign, but it wasn't.

Hmm. That's interesting.

 

[Nicky930]

Congratulations on your new little guy and welcome to Chameleon Forums. What did you name your little guy? The best advice I can give you is read everything possible on this forum...even if you don't think it applies because someday it it may. When listening to advice it may not always be correct (we are human and make mistakes) try to follow the advice of members who have been here a while. Most of us are still learning.

Thanks for the welcome and I have been reading all i can about chameleons right when I first started wanting one and his name is Leo