New to Chams!

[monroetlj]

Hi all! We have just dived in to chams finally We have a number of leopard geckos, but have always wanted a chameleon. There was a Jackson's listed on craigslist recently and appears in decent health (we'll see I guess). Enclosure is all set up, drip systems in place, UVB and basking lights going... I think he'll be quite happy in our care! Other than sleeping during the day, what signs hint at a sick/unhappy cham? Also, thanks to this site, we were quick to buy calcium without D3 for daily use... we wouldn't have known otherwise!

Here is Pascal basking. Yes, super original name lol, but there's a longer story than just using the name from "Tangled."

How does our setup look? We have 2 real plants in (made sure they were cham friendly) with our drip systems going in to water them (and yes I was refilling them when i took the pic .

 

[camimom]

Welcome!

That cage is a bit small, and he will grow out of it pretty quickly.

What is the current basking temp at?

and here is a care sheet you will find very helpful for caring for Pascal.

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

 

[monroetlj]

His current basking temp has a gradient of 80-85 depending where he sits on the branch. And yes, we realized he'd outgrow it, but we're in New Mexico temporarily and wanted to get his permanent setup at our next destination (planning on a 3-4ft tall oasis!) Our poor leopard geckos are also in a temp habitat, but thankfully everyone will get an upgrade/back to normal in about a month!

Trying to follow the care method to a T, so hopefully he'll thrive. Thank goodness he's typically a nice green and actively climbing around his habitat!

 

[monroetlj]

Also, thank goodness for a cham forum. I knew from a while back while caring for bettas, that most internet info is inaccurate >_< I'm glad to get a decent idea on temps to maintain!

 

[camimom]

His temps should be a bit lower.. they dont like real hot temps. Id say no more than 83.

 

[monroetlj]

Alrighty then! I'll move the basking bulb a little further down the branch and test again! Thanks