New Owner Questions

[DuncanMac]

Hey everyone. Recently I fulfilled a childhood dream of mine and finally purchased a veiled Chameleon. Ive got a terrarium with a clean Ficus, a bunch of plastic foliage, a dripper that also waters the plant and some bendable vines crossing the enclosure. I feed him every day since the crickets are small. I dust them with powder and drop in about 10 a day. he always eats all of them in about 30 minutes. He is still small, and Im just wondering if there is something I am forgetting. Also I was wondering if he is looking alright. I dont have a frame of reference when it comes to an unhealthy chameleon, and the vets nearby dont cater to exotic pets. Im just wondering what you think.

 

[CLP]

Welcome to the obsession. I have their veileds at the moment, and yes, I started with one

He looks healthy to me, though I might suggest offering him more variety in his diet, and you also want to be sure you are providing a healthy gutload for your feeders. See sandrachameleons blog for good info on feeders and gutloads.

This is a good place to start for making sure you've got everything set up well: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/325-info-new-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html.

EDIT: If you wanted to post pictures of his enclosure, we could give you feedback/suggestion on how that looks as well.

Good luck with him!

 

[carol5208]

Hello and welcome to the forums and chameleon ownership! You did not mention what type of lighting you are using. You should have two, a uvb and a uva for basking. You probably know this already but you did not state so, so just checking! I would also feed him double that amount. What powder are you using? This is very important also. You do not want to dust with a calcium that has d3 in it everyday. Calcium without d3 at every or most feedings and then the one with d3 a few times a month. Get a multi vitamin as well and use that twice monthly. Oh and what are you cage temps and basking area temps?

 

[teejayteej]

Well I started with a veilded as well ...lol I am still kind of new so I will let the others tell you what is what, but welcome to the addiction.

 

[DuncanMac]

Yeah, im worried that when I move this guy to a bigger set up when he grows ill pick up another baby to stay in the small terrarium.

 

[DuncanMac]

Wow, thanks guys! you guys are very welcoming.

He does have two bulbs for basking and a UVB. Im pretty sure the dust does not have D3. I am at work at the moment and cant check. But I will get him a multivitamin after work today.
As far as other types of foods. what supplements crickets? I've heard meal worms aren't too nutritious.
Thanks again guys!

 

[CLP]

Wow, thanks guys! you guys are very welcoming.

He does have two bulbs for basking and a UVB. Im pretty sure the dust does not have D3. I am at work at the moment and cant check. But I will get him a multivitamin after work today.
As far as other types of foods. what supplements crickets? I've heard meal worms aren't too nutritious.
Thanks again guys!

Other feeders include: silkworms, hornworms, superworms, roaches, phoenix worms, etc. There is a huge selection out there. You just need to make sure your feeders are appropriate for the size of your guy, so right now, you'd be looking at baby worms, etc. Also, GUTLOADING. This is very important as most feeders like crickets are not overly nutritious on their own. You are what you eat, and so is your cham! Check out sandrachameleon's blogs. TONS of info there on feeders and gutloading.