New Graceful

zjuckett

New Member
Hey everyone! I was just at the Manchester, NH reptile show and I came with a beautiful female Graceful Chameleon, who I aptly named Gracie. She's cute as a button.

I had a few questions because I've gotten so many different answers on sites. It says they need either really warm or relatively low (low 70s) during the day and I want to know what you guys think. Obviously I didn't just buy a cage, a chameleon, and go "BAM! NEW ANIMAL!" I have everything set up, I just wanted some feedback.

Also, what's your view on handling? I've read a bunch of different opinions.

I hope to get some pictures up as soon as I can find my camera.
 
nice to c another graceful owner out there! so what i typicaly do is test out different temps and c which one he is more active in ive found the temps around 85-75 is a nice range for my guy. he seems really active in that range. as for the handling that is aslo a depends on your chameleon thing. some hate being handled some dont mind it and some like to be handled. if she tries running from you every time you put your hand in her cage i would suggest handling her only when necesary. i usually handle mine every day or every other day cause he seems to enjoy it. every cham is diffent and has different needs, play with the temps as long as you dont cook her or freeze her youll do fine! if she's gapping shes to hot if shes dark and not really moving much shes cold. good luck :D and i hoped i helped a wee bit.
 
its pretty difficult to keep humidity in a screen cage at a an exact percentage. i usually just mist the cage whenever i get the chance. i know every1 says not to but i use shredded coconut husks as a substrate to help with humidity and live plants help aswell. if you can do without the substrate i would recomend that. if youve tried everything and the substrate seems like your only option then you should cup feed so there is no danger with her eating the substrate. i really dont know how others keep their humidity constant, it seems imposible! i wish i could tell you exact percentages but i havent figured that one out yet myself haha.
 
This is my baby! I love her!

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She has her sassy face on.
 
haha shes a good looking girl. is she usually those colors? she has awesome paterns too! ill be posting some update pics of mine in the next couple days. whats her name?
 
Not in bad condition over all but the tail should not be so bumpy...it should be more rounded/filled out...so it may be somewhat dehydrated or need to eat more.
 
Nah. She's not always those colors. Just when I'm near the cage. haha. And her name is Gracie.

In regards to her tail, I had just sprayed the cage so those are water droplets.
 
i c. so shes usually green? and as for the tail it does look a bit bumpy i dunno if its just the pic or what is she eating regularly? her tail should be smooth and full. no kinks or bumps. other than that looks pretty good. how old is she? if you could guestimate.
 
She hasn't been plain green because I just got her and I'm still having to add things, but her spots are not normally so pronounced. And she's 6 months old.
 
I see what you mean. And her tail does not look like that. Should I just keep food available to her at all times and mist frequently to make sure she has enough of everything she needs?
 
I would feed and water her well until the tail looks better. Try not to leave too many crickets free in the cage overnight though...they can chew on the chameleon sometimes.

I think you said she was only about 6 months old...why do you think that?? How big is she?
 
I think she's about 3 or 4 inches from snout to vent. And the people I bought her from said she was about 6 months old. Here are some pictures. The odd thing is that she looks like the picture at the beginning of the thread when she's in her cage, but when she's out of her cage she looks much more green and less patterned.

Suggestions?

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maybe she doesn't like something in her cage? it could stress her out. or maybe shes just still getting used to her house
 
I agree. I put more plants in tonight and she seems to be a bit happier. I'm going to give it a bit because she IS eating and drinking so I'm not worried about her withering away to nothing. Maybe in a few days and if she's STILL in her stressed out attire I will consider moving her cage and seeing if that does anything.

Her cage is in the background of those photos so you can check that out if you want.
 
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