Hello everyone, I just picked up my 4 month old male Veiled Chameleon from Ever Evolving Exotic shop and I have a few questions as a beginner! I did do my research, pretty extensively and I'm prepared to put in the time and consideration needed for this little guy. One of my questions is..I've sprayed down the enclosure a few times and all the water keeps drying out almost immediately, how do I make sure my veiled has enough water? I've attached photos of his enclosure, which I put together myself. If anything stands out that I should change, please let me know! Does anyone have any pointers for me as a first time Chameleon owner? Thanks everyone!
New to the Cham-unity
- Thread starter Beanop
- Start date
hopps31
Avid Member
Hi @Beanop welcome to the wonderful world of chameleons!!
If you can fill out the how to ask for help form with as much detail as possible we can help make sure everything is all set
Here is the link, copy and paste it in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/
If you can fill out the how to ask for help form with as much detail as possible we can help make sure everything is all set
Here is the link, copy and paste it in this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/
Thank you!
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Chameleon Info:
- Your Chameleon - Veiled, male, about 4 months. I have had him for a week and got him from a very reputable exotic reptile shop who kept him in great heath.
- Handling - He is still getting used to his new case so I have only held him once and that is only because he came out on his own (onto the open door) and reached out for me.
- Feeding - He gets between 10 and 15 medium crickets a day dusted in calcium and vitamins. Fed twice a day (6 or 7 crickets at a time).
- Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
- Fecal Description - Usually a poop a day, his urates are white.
Cage Info:
- Cage Type - Screen cage, 16 x 16 x 32
- Lighting - All in one basking and UVB light, 12 hours on 12 hours off
- Temperature - Basking spot between 85 and 90 F, rest of cage 78-80
- Humidity - Spray cage three times a day and use a dripper
- Plants - Fake plants
- Location - Located in Tucson, AZ
hopps31
Avid Member
I have a couple of suggestions, but you are off to a great start!!
His supplement schedule should be everyday dusting with calcium without d3 , twice a month with calcium with d3 and twice a month with a multivitamin. The feeders do not need to look like ghosts just a light dusting. Also gut loading your crickets with dark leafy greens is important too. Some suggestions are collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard, endive. Also sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. there is a list on here just search gut loads, there are also ideas for dry gut loads as well. Also variety in feeder as well, dubia raoches, superworms, silkworms, hornworms, they love variety!
Also I would switch his UVB bulb to a linear tube, I use reptisun T5 HO(high output) 5.0, it gives him more UVB all over the enclosure instead of focused on one area.The t5 bulbs only need to be replaced once a year vs. 6 months with the others.
Careful with the substrate on the bottom too, if you are free roaming his food as it can cause impaction.
To answer the original question about drying out to fast, you may need to cover a couple of sides with a shower curtain to maintain humidity. Real plants are also a huge help in keeping the humidity up and water stays on real plant leaves much longer than fake. I use Pothos they grow fast and are easy to keep, make sure you wash all plant leaves before putting them in the enclosure.
He is a pretty guy, I love veileds
His supplement schedule should be everyday dusting with calcium without d3 , twice a month with calcium with d3 and twice a month with a multivitamin. The feeders do not need to look like ghosts just a light dusting. Also gut loading your crickets with dark leafy greens is important too. Some suggestions are collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard, endive. Also sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. there is a list on here just search gut loads, there are also ideas for dry gut loads as well. Also variety in feeder as well, dubia raoches, superworms, silkworms, hornworms, they love variety!
Also I would switch his UVB bulb to a linear tube, I use reptisun T5 HO(high output) 5.0, it gives him more UVB all over the enclosure instead of focused on one area.The t5 bulbs only need to be replaced once a year vs. 6 months with the others.
Careful with the substrate on the bottom too, if you are free roaming his food as it can cause impaction.
To answer the original question about drying out to fast, you may need to cover a couple of sides with a shower curtain to maintain humidity. Real plants are also a huge help in keeping the humidity up and water stays on real plant leaves much longer than fake. I use Pothos they grow fast and are easy to keep, make sure you wash all plant leaves before putting them in the enclosure.
He is a pretty guy, I love veileds
