New to the forum and chameleons.

[ScottyB50643]

Hi every one. Most of the care sheets I have looked at said that this was the place to go if in need of chameleon info. So here I am.

A girl that my sister works with has a veiled chameleon that she has been trying to get rid of for about a month now. She told my sister if she could not find a home for it she was going to "dump" it. Dont want it to get put out side cause it will die.

Im not new to herps. I have a bearded dragon, 0.1.3 tokay geckos and a blue tongue skink.

Are veiled chams really that difficult to take care of. I know that they are going to require special care and the uvb and such.

What is a should the humidity be. Some of the care sheets say 40-50% while others dont list any at all. One even went on to say that there shouldnt be that much. I also gather that there should be a basking spot of 90-105 with temp gradients falling from top to bottom with a uvb of like 5.0. Many different branches and vines to grab on to.

Anyways sorry for the long post just thought Id say hello and ask some? Looking forward to talking with you guys.

 

[laurie]

Hello & welcome. We are glad you found this forum and hopefully we can help you with the veiled. Chams are a bit harder to keep than dragons but you can do it.

I am going to attach the blog of one of our members. It goes into lots of details. After you read it, I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Oh, is this person going to give you the equipment that come with the cham? That will help, even if some or it is wrong.




http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleo...le-veiled.html

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum you've got the right idea already, chams are a bit more specialist than most lizards, so it's just great you're doing research, don't worry about the long post... I think the most important difference is in feeding (variety and gutloading are so important).... humidity doesn't matter quite as much for Veileds as some though. As long as they get 2 or 3 good mistings per day they'll be ok.
That basking temp is a little bit high, you didn't say what sex or how old it was, that makes a difference..... anyway, I'm also going to post up a caresheet for you that covers all the basics too - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums Scotty. My name is Jann and I keep veileds, panthers and a parsonii. They are all a pleasure to care for. You have come to the right place to learn about chameleons, just read everything you can here. I have a blog for new keepers of veileds and panthers that I'm attaching for you below. I hope that you will find if useful. I have had great success in keeping my chameleons and wanted to share with new keepers. Jann
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[houseofchameleons]

welcome

Hi Scotty & yes welcome & indeed you did come to the right place for helpful info on chameleon care. My name is Ginger & I have 3 veiled, 2 panthers & a jackson & it is a pleasure to have them. I think you will find the same joy as most of us here on the forum

 

[DavidBuchan]

Now you've got tons to read and some of it will have differences in the details so sorry about that but you asked for it

 

[ScottyB50643]

@laurie- the lady told my sister that the chameleon was free but she wanted like 50 bucks for all of the equipment/cage that she has bought. It is kind of hard because my sister lives about 2 hours away and I dont have the ladys number or e-mail. So I dont know all of the things that I will be getting if I do by the cage and stuff. I was thinking of just building one out of some scrap wood and Screen that I have. Just dont have the other stuff.

As for the age and sex I dont know. The lady seems to have done very little research before she bought it because every care sheet Ive looked at talks about sexing them. My sis did see a picture of it and said it was only as long as an index finger (snout to vent) with the tail curling under. So I assume that it is still young.

@every one else- Thanks for the info and links. Did not expect such a warm welcome from all of you. One of the care sheets I looked at before joining was the taking care of kitty the veiled.

I do think that I will be able to take good care of this little guy. At least much better care than this woman has given it. will keep you guys posted.

 

[Elizadolots]

Hi, you're doing a good thing taking him in. Male veileds have little spurs coming off the back of their back feet. It might look like a "heel" sticking out. Depending on the size of the hand, an index finger might be less than 4 inches or more than 5. Either way, that's not so young as to be scary. It's probably several months old at least.

 

[ScottyB50643]

Yeah thats what I figured. A couple of months old or so. I now have to figure out where to put it in my reptile room. Time to get my fung shui on. Hope i spelled that right.

 

[lindawaz]

Might as well pipe in here too. I have nothing to offer you at this time, you have been given the links needed and a TON of information

Since this person is willing to just dump the Cham, I would just make my own cage and give the wee one a Palace they deserve. There are plenty of ideas on the forum you can steal, use as many as you want to do this for them- Just remember DRAINAGE!


Welcome to the Awesome world of keeping happy, healthy Chams. My best to you and your soon to be new Pal

 

[ScottyB50643]

Ok going to try to post this new pic of the chameleon. tell me what you guys think about it. Do you guys think it looks healthy. Dont have it yet. just waiting on how to work out logistics.

 

[Panther16]

Try sending some close up pics . But overall,it looks good.

 

[ScottyB50643]

Thats the only pic Ive managed to get so far. But I thought it looked healthy. Any thoughts of male or female. I think its a female but dont know.
Any ideas on transporting in a car for two hours with minimal stress. Have to go and get it or have my sister bring it to me.

 

[ScottyB50643]

Just found out that the lady im getting this cham from has it in an aquarium. I really dont think she did much research(if any) before she got it. Did find a good diy yourself video on you tube on cage building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnNl5IMXFCI&feature=related

Any ideas on transporting this guy in a car with out to much stress?

 

[lindawaz]

I have transported mine in a small cat Carrier- I put some sticks in there so she had something to hold on to.


You could do the same with a cardboard box poke the sticks through the side so they do not move while your cham is on it.

Keep warm out of drafts an not too too crazy with the bass on your radio.

 

[K9Luvn]

Welcome to the forum. I am new to Chams an I can honestly say this forum has amazing people with much knowledge that will be very willing to help you. I have no doubt that if you have the desire to read and listen to the advice you will do wonders with this Chameleon. Its time to get that cham out of the life he/she is living and bring it into a real home!!!

 

[JonRich]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you have already found out there there are tons of really kind and helpfull people on here to learn from.

From the pic , i can't see a spur on it's hind foot. So i assume Female also. You'll be able to tell the sex easy one you have her in your posession. But if it is a female try to read into the Female care sheets here (i'll try to find some for you).. They have egg laying requirments (even if not mated).

And as far as transporting , a shoebox with poked holes and a firmly placed stick/branch or a towel will do just fine for the "short" ride.

Goodluck, i think you will do just fine.

~Jon

 

[ScottyB50643]

BIG OLD SAD FACE Just heard from my sister that said chameleon died over the weekend. Girl told my sister that it looked like it had fallen from a branch and was sick. Pisses me right off when people dont do enough research about the animals that they get. I did about a months worth of research on my bearded dragon before I got him and still probably needed to do more. The cost was exponential but I took care of him and he is still kicking.

On another note. Spent my hole weekend building a cage for it and spent about 100$ on it. So if any one needs a foster home or adoption for a chameleon im your guy.

 

[laurie]

BIG OLD SAD FACE Just heard from my sister that said chameleon died over the weekend. Girl told my sister that it looked like it had fallen from a branch and was sick. Pisses me right off when people dont do enough research about the animals that they get. I did about a months worth of research on my bearded dragon before I got him and still probably needed to do more. The cost was exponential but I took care of him and he is still kicking.

On another note. Spent my hole weekend building a cage for it and spent about 100$ on it. So if any one needs a foster home or adoption for a chameleon im your guy.

That is awful. I am so sorry it died. I didn't see anything to make me think it was in bad shape, but it can happen.

 

[okiroo]

Oh my gosh im so sorry. i was just writting a welcome to the forums :'(. i truely hope you start over and get another cham. they need people who are willing to find information and care for them properly.