New Veiled Chameleon Owner

[Tia]

So my boyfriend and I just got a veiled chameleon about 8 months old. His name is Pasquelle and we love him so much . I just want to be as educated as possible about them to give him the best possible life.
And i have some questions just in general.

I want to know how often is it okay to handle them? We have handled him a couple times so far and he seems to be stressed out at first but then he goes back to his normal colour shortly after.

Is it right that the temps at night should be below 70 but above 60? and in the day time the temps should be above 70 but below 85ish? and his humidity around 60-90? we have digital readings for him, and they are in the lower right hand about a 1/4 ways up from the ground of his 24inch tall terrarium.

I will have some more questions but if anyone can answer these for me that would be fantastic. And very much appreciated.

 

[Decadancin]

Welcome to the forums! Here's a great care sheet that gives some of the basics for a veiled chameleon. It should help answer some of your concerns. As for handling your cham, let him settle into the new surroundings for a week or two before really trying to hold him much. (not sure how long you have him.) You need to get readings from higher up in the enclosure. That is where most of his time will be spent. The humidity does not need to stay that high, but only go up right after misting and gradually dry out before the next. Mine go as low as 35 or 40% before spiking at 80 - 85% after. As for temps, the nighttime lows can get down into the 40's or 50's with no problem for a veiled, but this is rarely an issue indoors.

If he is 8 months old, you likely will need a taller enclosure. They need the height to allow for regulation of body temps. An adult male veiled can get to 18 to 24 inches, and that is the height of your enclosure.

Hope that helps answer some of your concerns.

 

[Tia]

Thanks Decadancin. Ill have to move his gauges up to where he always hangs out. And i want to get him a nice tall mesh terrarium before he starts to outgrow this one.
Oh and by the way.. He always hangs out almost right underneath his UV light, and i havent yet seen him go over and under his basking light which is on the left side of his terrarium.. I heard the UV rays like that can burn them?

 

[Decadancin]

Not likely, but you will want to make sure there are some shady areas for him to escape to if needed. I'd be more concerned with burns from the basking lamp.