New to chameleons

[Chameleonlover0806]

So I'm planning to get a baby male veiled chameleon. I have done tons of research and I want all the advice I can get please help! I don't know what bulbs to get how decorated the cage needs to be and what the feeding hours should be. I also need to know the misTing but it will be a while til I get one but still.

 

[Lizzie The Chameleon]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[callie.chamlover]

Hey! Glad to hear you're getting into chameleons. The humidity needs to stay at 80%, and make sure your chameleon has a constant water source, keep in mind they don't recognize still standing water as a drinking source. In the wild they drink from water droplets off of plants,or from a moving source. I would suggest putting a drinking waterfall in the tank along with your regular misting to ensure your chameleon stays hydrated. Set up a dusting schedule for your insects, dust in calcium with d3 a couple times a month, but no more than that, as it could lead to a vitamin d3 overdose. Be sure to have a uvb light as well as a basking bulb. uvb helps with the absorbtion of calcium preventing issues such as mbd (metabolic bone disease). Chameleons are arboreal, so make sure you have a tall enclosure, with lots of safe climbing material. You can add live plants to your set up, but make sure they are safe for your chameleon before putting it into the enclosure. Artificial plants are always a safe go to though! Enjoy your chameleon, best of luck!

 

[kinyonga]

I'm not a fan of artificial plants for veiled chameleons since they are known to eat plant leaves and flowers.
I'm also not a fan of waterfalls since they can harbor germs if not kept very clean.

It's important to feed and gutload your insects properly, provide proper temperatures, supplement properly and provide water in an appropriate manner.
I feed/gutload crickets, roaches, superworms with a wide assortment of greens and veggies such as dandelion greens, kale, collards, endive, escarole, carrots, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, squash, and zucchini as well as a bit of fruit such as Apple, pears, melon, berries.

The calcium should be phosphorous-free and dusted lightly enough that the crickets don't look like ghosts.CA!cium is needed for strong bones, muscle contractions, etc.

Providing some phosphorous-free calcium\D3 by dusting the insects twic a month just before feeding them to the chameleon will provide some D3 without overdosing the chameleon and leaving it to produce the rest of the D3 from its exposure to the UVB. D3 from supplements can build up in the system and lead to health issues. D3from the UVB light or direct sunlight won't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of the light at will.

Dusting twice a month with a vitamin powder with a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A is also recommended. Vitamin A from prEformed sources can build up in the system and lead to health issues...so by using a vitamin powder with a prOformed source you don't have to worry about overdoing it and if you feel the chameleon needs some prEformed you can give it some separately.

UVB light will allow the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system. Appropriate temperatures will aid in digestion thus nutrient absorption.

 

[Michelle Maxwell]

A couple plants you can use is pothos, hibiscus, and umbrellas look up witch kind tho and for Water you can use a mistking it has setting you can set how many times it will go off and for how long

 

[Virgil1972]

I would stay away form waterfalls they are a breeding ground for bacteria. For proper hydration a automatic mister is a must. Mistking and Climist are both great brands for misters.

 

[Carlton]

The humidity needs to stay at 80%,

This is not correct for veiled chameleons. Maybe this was a typo?

 

[Graves923]

Yea I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that high humidity like that could cause respiratory infections. Someone correct me if I am wrong with that lol.

I shoot for the humidity range noted on the caresheet here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Follow this 100% through and you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Virgil1972]

Yea I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that high humidity like that could cause respiratory infections. Someone correct me if I am wrong with that lol.

I shoot for the humidity range noted on the caresheet here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Follow this 100% through and you shouldn't have any issues.

I believe it depends on the species. Some animals come from areas that have high humidity and some come from drier places. Its best to keep the animals humidity in the same rage as the area it comes from. Also humidity does not have to stay the same everyday. In nature some days are drier than others and some are wetter than others.

 

[ChamLB]

Hand misting with a pressure spray bottle and a dripper can get you started but you are better off waiting saving and getting a MistKing or Climist system.

 

[callie.chamlover]

i was on the wrong forum. whoops

This is not correct for veiled chameleons. Maybe this was a typo?

 

[broderp]

Hey! Glad to hear you're getting into chameleons. The humidity needs to stay at 80%, and make sure your chameleon has a constant water source, keep in mind they don't recognize still standing water as a drinking source. In the wild they drink from water droplets off of plants,or from a moving source. I would suggest putting a drinking waterfall in the tank along with your regular misting to ensure your chameleon stays hydrated. Set up a dusting schedule for your insects, dust in calcium with d3 a couple times a month, but no more than that, as it could lead to a vitamin d3 overdose. Be sure to have a uvb light as well as a basking bulb. uvb helps with the absorbtion of calcium preventing issues such as mbd (metabolic bone disease). Chameleons are arboreal, so make sure you have a tall enclosure, with lots of safe climbing material. You can add live plants to your set up, but make sure they are safe for your chameleon before putting it into the enclosure. Artificial plants are always a safe go to though! Enjoy your chameleon, best of luck!

There is some pretty shady info in this response. DO NOT set and maintain an 80% humidity. DO NOT put a drinking waterfall in the tank. The supplement schedule seems off as well.