New owner please help

[wardjake]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - I have a young female veiled, named Pascal, about 2-3 months old and has been in my care for just a few days now.
Handling - I have been trying to get to cage situated so i have been handling it a little more than i probably should (maybe once or twice a day)
Feeding - about 5 crix a day gut loaded with leafy greens, left in dish at bottom
Supplements - Miner-All (yellow top) multi vit. every other day
Watering - I have a dripper set up all day and i mist 3-5 times a day for about 10-15 seconds until the enclosure is wet


Cage Info:
Cage Type - 10 Gal. Glass enclosure (was stressed in 65 Gal. screen cage)
Lighting - 18" reptisun 5.0 uva/uvb light, no basking light
Temperature - during the day the ambient temp is 82-88 and at night the lowest the cage gets is about 75, i measure temp with a digital probe
Humidity - I do not have a way to test humidity however the cage is kept damp
Plants - Natural wood log with artificial vines w/ bed-a-beast substrate
Placement - the cage is in a bookshelf about 5' off the ground
Location - i am located in Fresno, CA (central valley)

Current Problem - I have a 6' vine hanging in a corner of my room and she loves to be on it, she is a nice green color and seems very comfortable when she is in her habitat she is a dark purple color... what can i do to make her feel more comfortable in the enclosure?

when she was in the screen cage she was still that same color and i always found her in the top corner by the thermometer

i thought the problem was the temp but as i raise the temp by placing a 100w basking lamp above the cage she spends more time near the bottom

do i need to just leave her alone and allow her to get used to her environment?

thanks,
Jacob

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum It sounds like your temps are too high.....100W is huge, I use a 40W for my adult female.....they only need to bask at 80-82F max really, ambient temps at the cool side should be 70F so you have a good gradient to make her comfortable. Plenty of foliage so she feels hidden and leave her be for a few days to settle.
Eating straight away is a good sign, so just try not to worry and it'll be easier . Here's a very good caresheet with all the info you need to keep her healthy.......part 2 has important gutloading and laying info too......https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
All glass is not really the best for them, but it is possible to do it like that.........most people will advise you to upgrade to a bigger mesh one once she gets a little bigger

 

[Hoj]

kinda in a rush here but first off welcome, a few things i notice, i wouldnt use the yellow top mienal that much more like once a week with the red top at most feedings and a multivite a few times a month,
i would get a basking light and aim for 90 in the hottest spot
it may take a few weeks or even a month for your cham to adjust to its new home, try to let it be
i would use the larger cage jmo
and i keep the bottom bare.
sorry im in a rush here
search blogs there is a good one by Jannb for new keepers

 

[ladybug83]

Hello,

I'm also new to forums and it has been a huge help to me in caring for my new male cham.. I was having probs with him the past few days and reading all the posts from everyone has helped nuse him back to almost good health. I just read today that my zilla light is not at all good for him. The pet store person gave me all the wrong supplies n luckily i had u guys to help. I'm replacing it with the rept 5.0 first thing in the morning. I'm assuming this is the reason why his eyes are closed sometimes during the day????? He is eating about 4 crickets just today after none the past few days. Also doing great with water and urates look good. Hopefully replacing the light will be the ticket to good health Thanks again everyone!!!!!

 

[DavidBuchan]

I agree with Hoj on using the bigger tank you already have, actually, and he's right about the vitamins - there is a good schedule posted on the link I gave (and most people will keep the bottom bare because it's easier to clean and it makes sure your cham won't eat any......I use soil and never had a problem, but there is a risk...).
Hoj, would you really go for 90F for a 3 month old female veiled, or is that 'cos you were rushing?

 

[wardjake]

Thanks everyone i think i may give the bigger screen cage a second go in a while but for now i'm just going to leave her be.

I have done a lot of research and have raised other reptiles so its just a matter of adjust to her needs.

Thanks again for the tips

 

[carol5208]

you are not giving her enough time to adjust. It can take a week or two. I am assuming the 10 gal glass enclosure you are talking about is a fish tank? They really don't provide the proper ventilation. I mean we can only adivse you, but it is ultimately up to you.

 

[Thezillaman21]

i skimmed but here is the basics.you need live plants (i reccomend golden pothos cuz if u water it alittle its impossable to kill you can get it at walmart for like $6) the bed a beast is a no go for chameleons any substrate that can be eaten is a hazzard i use reptile capet thats green but no substrate is fine tho. as for the misting watch what times your doing in thier is nothing worst for a chams lungs than a cage that is soaked after lights are out id go about an hr b4 lights out with a decent misting. her eating is a good idk if its true but i was told to feed during the middle of the day so they absorb food better. also id reccomend a hydometer you can get them for as little as $8. as for the basking i am with david that low 80's is should be basking temp. to be completely honest about her colors tho you have nothing to be worried about she may just need time to adjust chameleons are all diffrent when it comes to getting use to there captive homes.

best of luck for you and your cham.

 

[Hoj]

I agree with Hoj on using the bigger tank you already have, actually, and he's right about the vitamins - there is a good schedule posted on the link I gave (and most people will keep the bottom bare because it's easier to clean and it makes sure your cham won't eat any......I use soil and never had a problem, but there is a risk...).
Hoj, would you really go for 90F for a 3 month old female veiled, or is that 'cos you were rushing?

ya i agree 90 might be bite high, but if the cham is stying dark and has a large cage where she can get away to cooler areas i would think she would be ok.. JMO