New Member

[MzLaurie]

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! What is your boys name and how old is he? With each shed, his markings and coloring may change do it’s an exciting time! Chams are dry shedders and usually do not need any help. However, if there is stuck shed at the tip of the tail or around any leg joints then you should remove it so it doesn’t cut off any circulation. The best way to do it is to lightly scratch the edges with you fingernail till there is enough loose to grab and pull off. Also if you see him rubbing his eyes against wood, shed may be blocking his view. I just hold him a give a few quick hard blows with your breath to see if it will come off. I have had chams hurt their eyes trying to get it off. These are the only times in interfer with a molt. He will also rub his feet on wood too as the molt is thicker there. So make sure there is nothing that will splinter in the cage or will cut him. Also with any new addition to my family, whether it be a kid, a pet, or a car. I set up a contact in my phone and include date of birth and in notes I put date of purchase vet visits etc. it an easy way to have info handy. You have a beautiful boy there and you are making excellent headway on creating a trusting relationship. Make sure you dust the feeders daily with calcium without D3 and twice a month with a multi like Reptivite. Also your uvb bulb which I hope is 24” needs to be changed annually. Don’t worry about the crickets. You will get used to them. It’s really good for them to use their tongues to catch them. Good luck.

 

[MerlinX]

I find it absolutely fascinating the reaction when I move things around in his cage.... Rango got a nice money tree for Christmas and I had to do some rearranging. This is the 2nd time I've moved things around in his cage. He's very aware of his enclosure and its very noticeable. Any who it's a little cluttered but I hope he enjoys it when he gets accustomed.

 

[MerlinX]

He had his 2nd shed the other day. I had a hard time keeping his crickets alive in the cricket keeper so I've been putting 2 dozen large twice a week. He seems to be happy so we're just maintaining...

 

[MissSkittles]

Cricket keepers are great in theory, but most crickets, especially the domestic ones don’t last long in it. There’s not enough ventilation for them. Instead, get a medium sized plastic bin with a lid…one that will be too big for just a couple of dozen crickets. For best ventilation, cut out some holes in the sides and cover with window screening (not fiberglass as they can eat thru that) and/or some in the lid and do the same with screening. Line with a paper towel, put in either some of the cardboard egg flat or toilet paper/ paper towels rolls for them to hide in. I keep some fresh green or veg in for them at all time so they don’t cannibalize each other and stay healthy. Keep it clean and as stink free as possible and they should do better. I keep usually about 1,000 crickets per large bin with great success…only with banded crickets though. When I was getting domestic, more than half died every single time.

 

[MerlinX]

Cricket keepers are great in theory, but most crickets, especially the domestic ones don’t last long in it. There’s not enough ventilation for them. Instead, get a medium sized plastic bin with a lid…one that will be too big for just a couple of dozen crickets. For best ventilation, cut out some holes in the sides and cover with window screening (not fiberglass as they can eat thru that) and/or some in the lid and do the same with screening. Line with a paper towel, put in either some of the cardboard egg flat or toilet paper/ paper towels rolls for them to hide in. I keep some fresh green or veg in for them at all time so they don’t cannibalize each other and stay healthy. Keep it clean and as stink free as possible and they should do better. I keep usually about 1,000 crickets per large bin with great success…only with banded crickets though. When I was getting domestic, more than half died every single time.

Great info here. Thank you!

That money tree sure did get tall fast! I'm putting in a baby and the original pathos that didn't fair too well originally from when I first started. Any who, some recent pics included...

 

[MerlinX]

Update.... We just got back from our followup appointment. Not 100%sure how; but Rango got a small cut under his left eye about a month ago. There were a couple weeks of him being noticeably more inactive and having closed eyes during the day. We were given medicated drops and asked to use reptivite for every feeding since our routine is unmonitored crickets. It's a mixed bag of results. Although his demeanor is back to normal and alert throughout the day. The wound has gotten worse. The good news is it is superficial and the eye is not damaged. We are switching from a drop to a salve in hopes for better healing. He also shed Sunday evening so hopefully that's a good sign.

The doc recommended more natural sunlight. I haven't taken him out for a while now. It's been 110+ during the day and into night. We'll it's a cool 104 today so after our vet appointment I put him outside for 10 minutes. We got some new colors popping... you can clearly see the wound as well. Here's a couple red and whites!

 

[MerlinX]

Must be having a good dream...

 

[MerlinX]

As he matures it takes longer and eventually he will not full body shed at once. It will be in sections sort of. Like his head will shed but his body may not at the same time.

It's been 16 months. We've been through a lot. I'm 75%sure Rango has lost vision in his left eye. He still very active and eating/ drinking/ pooping regularly. I really can't believe how personable this guy is. He's good for hand feeding and drinking!
Quoted this post because he recently shed on his feet only. It was cool and surprising for sure!
I've acquired a good sized bird cage that we regularly use for outdoors. I'll fill a gallon jug with holes and let it drain for about an hour and he'll drink constantly from it. He seems to like it I think.
His envlosure has had quite a few plant replacements. Ultimately I'm convinced that pathos is the way to go for longevity...
Any who: we're doing good over here. Some pics added since it's been so long!

 

[MerlinX]

Feet only!

 

[MissSkittles]

I love the bird cage, but do make sure to add some way for him to have a decent sized area of shade to be cool in. That may be why he drinks so well when outside…getting a bit dehydrated from overheating.
How do you think he lost vision in that eye…from the cut or did something else happen? Poor fella.
His reds are beautiful! Well, so are his greens. Cute shedding mittens.