new - introduction and questions!

[aksdgff]

hello i recently picked up my first veiled chameleon(s)! however, after researching more about the egg-bearing process, i quickly realized that i wouldn't be able to provide the amazing care that she would need in that time of her life. So, i made my way back to the store where i got her, and picked up my new male. i did a lot of research on chameleons before i decided to get one, but unfortunately didn't look into the egg part enough

the few days i spent with my female (named cam) were amazing! i quickly fell in love with her. she was healthy, active, friendly, and eating well. i even got a few cham-hugs from her i was very sad to return her today, but knew it was (hopefully) in her best interest.

so, after getting my male (the only male left) (named lokni) , i decided to spend some bonding time with him as i had with cam. however, i accidentally bumped his foot and he hissed at me and then hissed at me another time thinking i was going to do it again i guess. he also seemed to close his eyes a lot. (sleeping?) and he was blowing spit bubbles. =/ i got him into his new cage asap and got some heat on him (not over 81 degrees) and offered him lots of water droplets on his leaves and some crickets. he seems to be a little bit dehydrated and a little too skinny. i got on the phone with a vet asap, but the reptile doctor had already left for the day. i will call as soon as he comes in tomorrow and hopefully get an appointment. but in the meantime, i figured i'd see what you all thought.


also, i have noticed the huge variations in information on the caring of chameleons. from
- the amount to feed a baby per day (i've seen anywhere from 5-8 to 12-20) - the basking temperatures for a male baby (i've seen 79-81 or that they don't even need to bask until they are older. though both of mine seemed to really enjoy the sun/basking lamp)
- the reptile store owner and josh'sfrogs.com both claim that chameleons can have substrate, but i've read several care sheets online that say no substrate is safe for them, and that a wet paper towel is best!
- ive heard/read that baby chams can be kept in a smaller glass enclosure until they get a little older. (just curious on this one)

any help is greatly appreciated!

now meet cam and lokni

cam:

lokni:

lokni looking skinny and sleepy:

does he look healthy to you guys? unhealthy? how old does he look?

 

[mcbdz]

Awe what a couple cuties. The last pic do look like his eyes are sunkin in so first thing that comes to mind is dehydration. Is he drinking? If not try dropping drops on his nose. Also heard it could just be major stress. I would put him in his encloser with what he needs and try to reduce anything that could stress him. Most of what I read is give them 2 weeks of being left alone when you first get them before handling them. Hope he's ok and someone with lots of baby experience chimes in soon. Good luck

 

[aksdgff]

thank you! i've left him in his enclosure hoping that he will drink and eat and get more comfortable! he seems to be more active. he's in a smaller glass enclosure just for today, because i get his reptibreeze in the mail today!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum Cam looks very healthy, but as you said Lokni is definitely dehydrated. Sleeping during the day and blowing spit bubbles are particularly bad signs though - I would personally recommend taking him back since you only got him today.
At their age a smaller glass enclosure is fine, but you will need to make sure there is still adequate ventilation.
Here is a great all-round caresheet for Veileds which has all the basics - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[AngieL]

Hi and welcome

Unfortunately your little guy doesn't look all too well. He looks dehydrated and if he has spit bubbles could have a respiritory infection. The way he holds his head up like that could also be a sign. Sleeping through the day isn't great either I'm glad you're taking him to the vet though!

Here's a comprehensive care sheet for you to read too which will give you good info! There are a lot of conflicting care guides out there but you're in the right place now
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[AngieL]

Hello, welcome to the forum Cam looks very healthy, but as you said Lokni is definitely dehydrated. Sleeping during the day and blowing spit bubbles are particularly bad signs though - I would personally recommend taking him back since you only got him today.
At their age a smaller glass enclosure is fine, but you will need to make sure there is still adequate ventilation.
Here is a great all-round caresheet for Veileds which has all the basics - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

Ha! Beat me to it! Great minds

 

[aksdgff]

cam didn't look too great when i first got her, but she definitely wasnt sleeping or blowing bubbles. =/

im going to talk to the vet today and then give the pet store a call. im sure their whole tank has the RI if he does?

 

[aksdgff]

- and rather than take him back to the pet store, where he probably wont receive the care he needs, i think im going to take him to the vet and get him fixed up he has an appointment tomorrow

 

[DavidBuchan]

Ha! Beat me to it! Great minds

Yeah, beat you this time so you don't get any more rep for this one

cam didn't look too great when i first got her, but she definitely wasnt sleeping or blowing bubbles. =/

im going to talk to the vet today and then give the pet store a call. im sure their whole tank has the RI if he does?

Not necessarily, but if the vet does diagnose an RI they would probably appreciate you letting them know.

 

[slinko9]

That care sheet is the best one Ive read!!!
My 7 week old has been living them guide lines for the last 3 weeks!!!
Gotta thank David for that link on my first day!!!!!
Oh,,,,btw,,,,he definitely is a good looking boy!!!!

 

[aksdgff]

does anyone have a guess on the age?

..update: hes much more active today and i haven't seen any bubbles, but he is really quick to change his color much darker. does this mean he's not happy? he also doesnt have much of a grip like cam did

 

[slinko9]

I would guess between 5 to 8 weeks old

 

[DavidBuchan]

Yeah, he is about 2 months old. I hope he does well for you, being active an eating is of course good. Turning darker does not necessarily mean he's not happy but the lack of grip is again not a great sign. Don't handle him if you can help it though, it often takes a week or so for them to settle into a new home.

 

[aksdgff]

he finally went!

 

[ChameleonMom]

Glad to hear that you will keep him and try to heal him instead of taking him back to the pet shop. He does need proper care and attention though and I hope you have the dedication it requires to see him back to health, especially as you are new to keeping a chameleon.

I'm not knocking you here as I can respect you are trying to do right by your little guy, but I'm curious as to why you would buy a cham before you were fully set up to have one, especially when you indicate you are awaiting a cage to be delivered? If your little guy is in a glass enclosure now, do you have the proper requirements (ie plant cover, vines, lights, gauges, etc.) he needs to keep him alive? Also, a little babe like that really shouldn't be handled, especially after transitioning to a new home where the stress levels would be very high.

Again, I don't mean to come across as harsh, but I just hate to see someone jump in without being fully prepared because the ones who suffer are the chameleons.

Good luck!

 

[aksdgff]

I completely understand your concern, but I did some pretty extensive research into what exactly these guys need. And, being an experienced tree frog owner, I had everything needed except for the screened in cage. I had plenty of glass tanks! But he only spent one day in the glass aquarium. He's in his reptibreeze now.

As far as handling him, I haven't since I first got him. Cam responded so well to my handling and I wouldnt have noticed his bubbles otherwise.

I will let everyone know what the vet says, and I am definitely thinking about getting cam back. I'm scared someone won't take care of her. =\ but I have to get her cage first!

 

[ChameleonMom]

I completely understand your concern, but I did some pretty extensive research into what exactly these guys need. And, being an experienced tree frog owner, I had everything needed except for the screened in cage. I had plenty of glass tanks! But he only spent one day in the glass aquarium. He's in his reptibreeze now.

As far as handling him, I haven't since I first got him. Cam responded so well to my handling and I wouldnt have noticed his bubbles otherwise.

I will let everyone know what the vet says, and I am definitely thinking about getting cam back. I'm scared someone won't take care of her. =\ but I have to get her cage first!

Glad to know you are aware of their needs and requirements for a happy life! I hope things start looking up for you both. Again, good luck!

 

[aksdgff]

The vet said he doesn't think its a upper respiratory even though he was showing many signs of it. He was definitely dehydrated though. The vet gave him an injection of fluids. He seemed to be doing much better before I left for work.

I went back to the pet store and brought cam home I'm so glad to have her back!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Oh sweet, now you have both of them Here's a great blog to read about laying bins - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

And a video on the subject too - https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/

 

[aksdgff]

Thank you so much! I'm sure I will have plenty of questions.

Starting with: Im still not sure which sources to believe. There arent enough sources saying the same thing to really know. My vet told me to keep the males basking sight above 95! Yet I've heard low 90s and 70s/no basking light from other reputable sources.

Same with feeding, vet said feed as much as they will eat.

And I read the site about taking care of females and keeping temperatures lower and feeding less to help slow the metabolism and make her clutch smaller. This doesn't hurt them? Or make them unhappy? I feel weird about messing with their natural needs?