newbie question

[pudge]

I got my first veiled chem about 4 days ago. he is about 14 months if that makes a difference. His last owner sadi he fed him 5 cricks once a day. FYi he was a jackass. He had a bowl of water in his tank, yea and I mean tank. Its a 20g long aquarium flipped on his side. I read for about 10min in a book and Im sure I know more then he does. Im in the process of getting him a new home...Anyway I was looking at him today and his ribs stick out a little. He doesnt look really starved, but enough where I noticed it. He did eat about 10 sm-med cricks the 1st day I got him.
Do you think he needs to eat more or was he just making himself skinny cause my big head was looking at him? I also have a vet apt next week so Im sure he will let me know.

I also have to say these guys are awsome! He is my 1st and I know he wont be my last. My last addiction was saltwater aquariums. These guys seem like was more fun. All day at work Ive just been thinking of cages to build and different things I can do (maybe I should try to do some work). I love putting togther a habitat. I think this hobby is going to be way better then reef tanks.

Oh one more thing. the fist day I got him, I held a crick in my hand to see if he would eat it. He came right over and ate it! It was awsome!
Do you think it was b/c he was that hungry or are some chems just that cool?
I did clean his cage out today and he wanted nothing to do with me, which is what I expected. He didnt hiss at me though, just moved the other direction.

Last thing, I made a little dripper for his cage and he drank some water the 1st day but I have seen him drink since. He also hates to be misted, though I still do. Is this stuff normal.

thanks all

 

[summoner12]

I got my first veiled chem about 4 days ago. he is about 14 months if that makes a difference. His last owner sadi he fed him 5 cricks once a day. FYi he was a jackass. He had a bowl of water in his tank, yea and I mean tank. Its a 20g long aquarium flipped on his side. I read for about 10min in a book and Im sure I know more then he does. Im in the process of getting him a new home...Anyway I was looking at him today and his ribs stick out a little. He doesnt look really starved, but enough where I noticed it. He did eat about 10 sm-med cricks the 1st day I got him.
Do you think he needs to eat more or was he just making himself skinny cause my big head was looking at him? I also have a vet apt next week so Im sure he will let me know.

Where are you located? a 20g long is small for an adult veiled... but in parts of the world glass is sometimes best.

As for the ribs and his feeding, 5 crickets a day almost seems too much if they are large. Two large feeder items a day... or every other day would be just fine. It would depend on the time of year... but that would work almost year round. in cooler temps chams eat less. The ribs isn't a big deal. All chams show off their ribs, especially when flattening out their bodies. It doesn't mean they are too thin. Veiled chameleons should be kinda stick like when looking at limbs. and even if the cham is at rest you'll still see ribs.

I also have to say these guys are awsome! He is my 1st and I know he wont be my last. My last addiction was saltwater aquariums. These guys seem like was more fun. All day at work Ive just been thinking of cages to build and different things I can do (maybe I should try to do some work). I love putting togther a habitat. I think this hobby is going to be way better then reef tanks.

Oh one more thing. the fist day I got him, I held a crick in my hand to see if he would eat it. He came right over and ate it! It was awsome!
Do you think it was b/c he was that hungry or are some chems just that cool?
I did clean his cage out today and he wanted nothing to do with me, which is what I expected. He didnt hiss at me though, just moved the other direction.

Last thing, I made a little dripper for his cage and he drank some water the 1st day but I have seen him drink since. He also hates to be misted, though I still do. Is this stuff normal.

thanks all

they don't need a TON of water so seeing them drink is kinda rare... sometimes just cause they are shy others because they already drank when you weren't looking. It isn't a big deal if you don't see them drink. Look out for white urates... if they aren't white, then you might have an issue.

as for hand feeding, a lot of chams will do it, especially those who have had it done before. more shy or wild caught animals won't want to hand feed.

 

[justjumpit621]

Also what kevin didn't mention is that most veileds don't like water so yes they will cringe when you spray them.

 

[pudge]

Thanks guys.....I'm in colorado. Either way I want to get him in a bigger cage. I'm in the process of building a 36x26x52in screen cage.