Newbie to chameleon

[Kellbell]

Hi hope someone can give me some advice I bought a female chameleon she is about 6 months old I've had her 4 days now she has become quite grumpy
I was told she has been laying eggs which I have confirmed as have found some in wood chips
I have also noticed that her skin round her eye seems to be shedding and she is off her food could all this be because of her being in a different house?

 

[Dez]

Welcome to the forum and to chameleon ownership!

Can you post a picture of your new baby girl? and your set up?

If she does have eggs she will need to be set up with a laying bin in order to lay her eggs. This is VERY important as she could die not having a place to lay

Here is a video on how you do that

https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/

You said you found an egg on the woodchips? Having woodchips on the bottom of a chameleons cage can be dangerous for the chameleon. The reason is the way they hunt. By shooting their sticky tongue at insects. It is easy to accidentally snag a piece of bark and eat it. This can lead tp problems like impaction or ripping of the stomach and esophagus

 

[Kellbell]

I was told by pet shops and reptile centre to put wood chips what should I use instead

 

[Dez]

Petstores are known to give misinformation about chams..

Its best not to have anything on the bottom.

I use the 2x2x4 foot tall screen cages and the bottoms are just bare plastic. It is very easy to clean.

What kind of cage do you have?

 

[Kellbell]

When I bought her she came in a wood vivarium with glass doors at front it a 2ft high by 3ft wide

 

[Twigcham]

They are sometimes grumpy when they are shedding and when you first get them they wont eat. I wouldnt be to worried at this point but if it goes on I would look into it a little more.

 

[Kellbell]

Thank you for your advice it's much appreciated I'll keep an eye on her

 

[Kellbell]

Well Millie is eating now she not feeding from me but least she is eating

 

[Shaunny]

2ft isn't very tall if anything it should be the other way about 3ft tall by 2ft wide

 

[Kellbell]

I thought it was it the one she came with but will look into getting her a bigger one

 

[Shaunny]

You ideally want a screen cage think females do well in 3x2x2 but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Dgood]

I would go with the 2x2x4. My female jax has one and she uses every inch of space, and she is pretty small.