New here, have a few questions

[Mofire]

Hello everyone, my name's Mo and I'm brand new to the reptile industry *cheers*. After realizing that aquarium setups are not my style (hate algae it's nasty), I decided to get a veiled chameleon. I've had him for a couple days now, though I have a few questions regarding him (he's 3-4 weeks old).
P.S: Here is a picture of the enclosure, can't get one of him yet as he hides when I come close.

1.) He's very scared of me, always going to hide whenever I come close. Is this normal behavior? Should I just give it some time for him to adjust? I've tried to hand-feed him but he always backs off when I approach anyways.

2.) Although I mist several times a day and have a dipper system going, I have trouble keeping humidity above 50, with it dropping to 40 quite often. Would using moss and a humidifier help? What do you use to keep humidity high?

3.) Online everyone says to replace the UVB bulb every 6 months, though the one I purchased says it should be replaced after 1 year. Should I go with online recommendations to be safe or just keep it for a whole year?

4.) Any other advice for a new keeper?

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

Hello everyone, my name's Mo and I'm brand new to the reptile industry *cheers*. After realizing that aquarium setups are not my style (hate algae it's nasty), I decided to get a veiled chameleon. I've had him for a couple days now, though I have a few questions regarding him (he's 3-4 weeks old).
P.S: Here is a picture of the enclosure, can't get one of him yet as he hides when I come close.

1.) He's very scared of me, always going to hide whenever I come close. Is this normal behavior? Should I just give it some time for him to adjust? I've tried to hand-feed him but he always backs off when I approach anyways.

2.) Although I mist several times a day and have a dipper system going, I have trouble keeping humidity above 50, with it dropping to 40 quite often. Would using moss and a humidifier help? What do you use to keep humidity high?

3.) Online everyone says to replace the UVB bulb every 6 months, though the one I purchased says it should be replaced after 1 year. Should I go with online recommendations to be safe or just keep it for a whole year?

4.) Any other advice for a new keeper?

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Chams don't like to be handled, they don't like you or basically anyone. However in some cases they may learn to tolerate you. Hissing and biting is very common so don't be concerned if your Cham is snappy, mines very mean haha

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

Also post a pic of the Cham please

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

Also 5-6 months for sure, they usually stop letting out all of the UVB by about 6ish months and there's really no way to tell when it's bad until it's too late And I wouldn't use moss, it has a lot of harmful bacteria in it

 

[Kboz1991]

I see you have a compact florescent uvb bulb most of us on this site aren't big fans of them. They can disburse uvb in a weird ways in some areas is to concentrated and others to weak a regular florescent bulb displaces it way more evenly. Instead of getting a new bulb I would suggest you save for a regular florescent uvb lamp. Reptisun last around 6 months Arcadia is 9 months to a year. I have a meter to test so I know when it's time to change the bulb. Also a cool mist humidifier in the room would help and you can use plastic sheets like shower curtain or hard plastic to cover 2 or 3 sides to hold humidity also.

 

[Mofire]

I see you have a compact florescent uvb bulb most of us on this site aren't big fans of them. They can disburse uvb in a weird ways in some areas is to concentrated and others to weak a regular florescent bulb displaces it way more evenly. Instead of getting a new bulb I would suggest you save for a regular florescent uvb lamp. Reptisun last around 6 months Arcadia is 9 months to a year. I have a meter to test so I know when it's time to change the bulb. Also a cool mist humidifier in the room would help and you can use plastic sheets like shower curtain or hard plastic to cover 2 or 3 sides to hold humidity also.

My UVB Bulb is a 5.0 reptisun by ZooMed. I'll consider buying a regular sized one, thanks for that input. By the way do you know of any >= 100 watt UVB bulbs I could fit into my fixture? (ZooMed mini-double deep dish)

 

[rambonerzilla]

Congratulations on the move to chams! Read and absorb all that you can from here! welcome friend!