new veiled chameleon very stressed

buzz1ightyear

New Member
hey all i just got my first veiled chameleon. i want to make sure im doing everything right. she seems really stressed and not eating a lot but i think its because iv only had her for one day. i have seen her drink and take bites out of the leaves but no crickets yet. i think she is eating a little when im not around though.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled chameleon, female, age unknown. brought home on 3/21/14 and about 4 inches long from head to start of tail.

Handling - so far only when i put him in his cage the first time.

Feeding - crickets and i want to start some worms and roaches

Watering - i spray multiple times a day to make sure water is on leaves to drink..

History - he seems stressed out and dosent like it when im around i assume because of the new environment.

Cage Info: screen cage 18x18x48 live plants with twigs to climb on.

Lighting - 12 hours on and 12 off. 5.0 uvb and heat bulb.

Temperature - ambient temp is 70-80 (around 60 at night). basking around 80 85

Humidity - 50-70%.

Plants - live plants Schefflera .

Placement -corner of room near a window

Location - california (sonoma county)
 
Ya. Its the first day, just give it time

And congrats on ur new cham. Very cool.
I dont know how old he is but id stick to crickets the first week ot so

Good luck and post some pics
 
As ir0k said, it's only your first day :)

It's also hard to tell if you have enough foliage for her from text, so could you post some pictures? Chameleons without enough foliage to hide behind can also get stressed easily. If you could post pictures, we can let you know if you need more of anything! :D

As for feeding, you'll have to get the following supplements, if you do not already have: Calcium without D3 (daily), Calcium with D3 (once every 2 weeks) and Multivitamin (once every two weeks).

Which kinds of worms were you thinking? Silkies, phoenix and horn worms (horn worms are probably too big for a young chameleon for now) are the best feeders. If you are planning on going superworms or mealworms, only use them sparingly, as a treat. 1-2 a week at most. They're not very nutritional, and their exoskeleton can cause impaction.

Other than that, everything else looks really good! :D When she reaches 6-9 months, you'll also have to provide her with a laying bin for her to lay infertile eggs. Just be sure to keep that in mind!
 
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Looks female from what I can see. Check the back feet, spurs on back feet =male. No spurs=female.
Looks good. Kath.
 
well, just 2 things that I see other then a healthy chameleon :)

I did notice you had some plants in the cage so +1 on that. but (IMO) even if you have to use some fake vines till your plants get a little taller I would add them. I have 2 fakes vines coming down towards my branch in both my chams cages and I notice they really utilize them to hide, shade, and to drink water droplets from.

Other thing which im not sure is imperative to your chams health as veilds I hear are very hardy chameleons, but I would try and invest in a digital temp/hygro meter. the one you have now are notorious for being inaccurate.

The vines thing I said at the start I would say is a must. but that's again just my opinion.

the temp/hygro digital reader might not be. Hopefully some senior members that who are well versed in vield chameleon care can help you out with more info on that subject.

anyways, again, congrats on your new chameleon. As far as pics go, she/he looks happy :D
 
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Thanks for the input I plan on putting the lights on a timer and getting a automated mister so everything is super consistent. I will get a digital thermometer and hydrometer when I get paid and maybe try to put something under one of the plants to make it taller so she has more places to hide. You guys are awesome and thanks for taking the time to help me out and please keep the advice coming
 
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