our new chameleon!

[Orcus11]

Hey guys, I was looking through the web looking for tips, info and feedback from chameleon vets on how to best take care of our new friend Charmander (LOL we named him after the pokemon obviously ). Hes only a few months old and we are still unsure on what kind he is and whether its a gal or a chum . we got a few pics to show everyone but a little guidance would be nice.

PS this is our very first chameleon, hes awsome! We also just joined the community

 

[Dunnigan]

Welcome!

Where are the pics, its like a game on here, guess the species...lol.

 

[jannb]

Congrats on your new baby and welcome to the forums. Post some pics of your cham and set up and we can try to help you.

 

[AJA]

I think it should be a rule that you can't post about your new chameleon without posting a photo... and this would definately include baby chams!

 

[Orcus11]

New Chameleon

Hey Dunnigan thnx for replying my post . I dont think I can make an educated guess, he/she is my first meleon, so Im basically an ignorant when it comes to these fascinating creatures. I want to change this around by getting advice from you and other Chameleon veterans. As for the pics i couldnt find my good camera so i used my iphones. They are a bit shaky but hopefully you can tell me what you think Charmander is.

 

[Dunnigan]

Looks like a graceful chameleon. Or it could be a flap neck chameleon. They look so similar...

Whats you set up?

Cage Info:

* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
* Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
* Location - Where are you geographically located?


Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
* Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

EDIT: im thinking more of a flap neck now...

 

[veiledchameleonyoshi]

Hard to tell from those pictures, but to me it looks like a flapneck. Or it could also be a graceful. I'm not totally sure

 

[Trace]

Female Senegal Chameleon. (Chamaeleo senegalensis)

 

[Dunnigan]

Honestly to me flaps, gracefuls, and Senegals all look the same to me

I'd take Trace's word.

 

[Orcus11]

Wow theres soo many thing I need to look out for... For the cage I bought like a mesh cage thing, no glass or metal in it i wanted something flexible and soft so that Charmander wouldnt hurt itself when it decided to climb on the mesh or something. ill take pics of the cage as a whole, you will be able to see the dimensions of the cage and such, and the lighting. I will get in to Lighting specifics soon as I get feed back on the "appropriateness" of the caging. for its size i think its roomy, i could be wrong. I only keep it there for when it sleeps and when it needs to thermoregulate. I let it excercise on some potted trees i have in my apartment. for hydration i use an atomizer and I mist every 2 hours or so... Is that overdoing it???

PS Before I get into feeding and healthh check plz let me know if so far im doing ok. Thanks a bunch guys your insight is very helpful

 

[AJA]

please describe your lighting.

 

[luevelvet]

Actually, it looks like a Chamaeleo gracilis. It doesn't have the flaps of the flap necks, and Senegalensis don't usually have the lateral stripe.

I would add a few more plants for cover, maybe some schefflera. It actually looks OK, color seems good, but the pictures aren't too clear be sure.

Luis

 

[Orcus11]

Hard to tell from those pictures, but to me it looks like a flapneck. Or it could also be a graceful. I'm not totally sure

hey I post new pics, any insight???

 

[Orcus11]

please describe your lighting.

For my lighting im using the following lamps and bulbs : first pic is my day light and second pic is my night light plz comment as I would like to know if its ok for my Cham

 

[luevelvet]

Ah, ok, well, I'm not sure which country you're in but here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to lighting and heating...

You will need to provide a linear UVB fluorescent bulb. UVB is essential in allowing the chameleon to process vitamin D3 for calcium absorbtion and with a lack of calcium absorbtion they run the risk of dealing with Metabolic Bone Disease (similar to rickets). It's not pretty and very easy to avoid. Most folks use the Zoo Med Repti-Sun 5.0. They can be purchased for roughly $20 shipped, depending on the size of course, from most online stores. Make sure you don't purchase the Spiral type Compact Fluorescent bulbs. These will fit in standard light sockets and your heat domes, but are not safe for chameleons. They have been known to cause eye problems and are overall avoided by most.

Depending on your night time temp's, a night time heat source isn't usually required. More often than not, most chameleons can handle a significant drop in temps overnight, just make sure it's not too low. This brings up the question of what the night time temps are without the light on. If you're above 60-65, then you shouldn't use a night time heat source, however, I've never really had experience keeping chameleons under 68-70 and I've never used a heat source over night, only during the day.

This isn't so much about lighting or heatng but I thought I would throw it in case you don't know.


I would definitely acquire a few more plants and branches. You want to ensure the chameleon has enough cover to completely hide from sight should he get nervous or spooked. Sturdy branches that run both verticle and horizontal are needed to ensure he has enough area to walk around, hunt for food, or bask under the lamp.

Ensure you water your chameleon at least once or twice during the day. Spray the plants and leaves down once in the morning and once when you get home from work/school etc. Ensure you spray enough water for it to drip off of the leaves in a decent amount. Chameleons usually only drink from leaves or branches and you want to make sure you spray enough around for him to stay hydrated.

Too much food shouldn't run loose in the cage over night. Most folks keep their feeders in a different container all together and only feed however much their chameleon will eat in one sitting. Use common sense and don't over feed and again, make sure you remove any crickets that are not eaten. I've seen crickets do some pretty nasty things to animals while they sleep. It's imply better to be safe than sorry.

HTH

Luis

 

[jojackson]

Welcome Orcus11 and Significant Other,
congrats on your new lizard, whatever species (ok im in, look like gracilis to me *shrugs*). Cage looks plenty big enough to me (for now, chams grow fast) but looks a bit sparse, needs a few more branches and plants in my opinion.
I dont think you will need a night lamp (unless its quite cold at night. I dont know much about your species as far as temps go, but if the night light is too bright for the lizard to sleep, ditch it (get a ceramic heat emitter instead if needed) ).
You do need an ultra violet lighting , A tube type will be recommended, so if your cage is 'soft' (frame) you will need to suspend it. Otherwise get your cham outside for natural light as often as possible.
Best Wishes

 

[Orcus11]

Lighting

Ah ok ok. Well Im living in Guatemalaa right now, and its rain season so the temp is a bit humid. As for temp its usually fresh but can get chilly at times (like today). As for the bulbs of the lamps I will check to see what kind they are, I didnt buy them my brother did. For the misting, Im guessing on what you said its not necessary to mist too often?? Like I said I mist every 2 hours (Id rather over mist than undermist), and since i dont have an automated mister should I mist more often??? About the diet, Charmander eats crickets, I use veggies to feed em, but the store where i got him at reccommended to use this tropical fish food for em... So far i havent seen any harm in it, but then again it wasnt a breeder it was a pet store. What is your insight on that?? Thnx again for insight

 

[laurie]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I will just add my 2 cents worth. In addition to misting try to provide a dripper. Any jug, cup etc that you can put a tiny hole in so water just drips, around 1 drop, pause, (1 second) then another drop. The cham will see and hear the water and that helps to get it to drink

Be careful about leaving the cham on a tree, make sure there is no way for it to get out of the room or for any other animal to get into the room. If you cham isn't in a cage you should be aware at all times where it is until both it and you are comfortable with the cham's habits and area.

 

[jojackson]

Wow Guatemalaa? Cool. If its really humid there you probly dont need to mist that much.
Lauries dripper suggestion is great! Also if you can get your crickets fresh green vegetables/fruit, this will help ensure your lizard is well hydrated too. Fish food is often claimed a no no, since its essentially protein, too much protein ending up in your lizard from its insects may cause problems.
If you can find any other types of insects/worms/flying bugs this is good too, variety will ensure a better balance of nutrients and vitamins in your lizards diet. Be sure if you catch wild bugs they havent likely been in contact with insecticide or feild sprays.