dtnichols109
New Member
Hello everyone! My name is Daniel and I'm new to Chameleon Forums, and chameleon ownership in general. I've had my little guy for about a week now and had a few issues listed on the bottom of the husbandry I was hoping more experienced owners could give me advice on. Thanks in advance to everyone helping! 
Chameleon Info
◦ Your Chameleon – His name is Hugh, and he is a male (presumed) Veiled Chameleon who is approximately 3” long and 3 months old (presumed) at this time. He has been in my care since August 1st, 2017.
◦ Handling – I have not tried handling him yet as I’ve only had him for one week and I was letting him get used to his surroundings before needlessly stressing him out. At what time should I try handling, and are there any good tips on how?
◦ Feeding – I’m currently feeding him almost exclusively mini crickets (1/4”) that I’ve gut loaded with a Fluker’s High-Calcium Cricket Diet, collard greens, sweet potato peelings, and an orange slice. I offer him the crickets in a cup 2-3x daily. At max he’s only eaten 3 crickets in one day, and only ever 1 per offering, even though to my understanding he should be putting down 8-10 crickets. At first I thought that this was normal as he got used to his new home, but now I’m starting to get concerned. So far he has eaten all of the crickets offered out of the cup, but I do leave 2-3 crickets in the cup on the bottom of his enclosure at all times just in case he does get hungry, which he has yet to eat from. Typically, once he gets a cricket in his mouth it takes him a few minutes to swallow/digest it (he does an Upward-Facing Dog yoga pose as he swallows) and this seems to break his interest in continuing eating. After being with me for a week, is this still considered normal behavior for a young Veiled Chameleon?
◦ Supplements – I’m using all Rep-Cal supplements. I use the Calcium w/out D3 with every food offering (since he is young and growing quickly); I intend on feeding the Multivitamin and the Calcium w/ D3 on alternating Sundays (max 2 a month each).
◦ Watering – Right now I mist his enclosure (focusing on the plants) 3-4x daily for about 2-3 minutes each time. He does not, REPEAT DOES NOT, like this and will either hide in the plants themselves and wait out the storm, or flees to the opposite side of his cage. I do use the ReptiSafe Water Conditioner by ZooMed on all water that he comes into contact with. I witness him drinking typically 1-2x daily and so I believe that this method is working. I’m currently in the process of installing a Little Dripper by ZooMed into his cage so that he will have access to water 24/7; saving up for a Mist King.
◦ Fecal Description – He’s had 4-6 droppings in my care as of writing this. All stool parts were a darker shade of brown, quickly drying to an almost black under his lights. The urine part started off as yellow but gradually changed to a more off-white, and now has been mostly white for the past 2 days. He has not been checked for any parasites.
◦ History – Hugh was purchased at a local pet shop, and so I don’t have much back history on him. I grew up caring for box turtles with my dad (they are his and he still has them), and so I have a pretty basic-to-average familiarity with taking care of reptiles.
Cage Info
◦ Cage Type – For right now I have a Medium ReptiBreeze screen cage by ZooMed (16x16x30), because it was my understanding that a large cage for a small chameleon would be too overwhelming. When he hits the 9-month mark I’m going to switch to a Dragon Strand Large Breeder Cage (21.5x16x44.5) because they look neat and will help maintain good humidity levels, which is something I’m currently struggling with.
◦ Lighting – I'm using two bulbs; a ReptiSun 5.0 for UVA/UVB and a ZooMed 50w Repti Basking Spot Lamp. I turn the ReptiSun on at 7:30am and the basking lamp on at 8:00am, and the basking lamp off at 7:00pm and the ReptiSun off at 7:30pm. In total, 12 hours of the ReptiSun and 11 hours of the basking lamp. Someone told me that the difference helps simulate the natural sunrise/sunset and warming/cooling of their environment.
◦ Temperature – This has been a struggle because I’ve already purchased two digital thermometers with probes, and both, one more than the other, give sketchy readings. The more reliable one says my basking temperature is between 80-83 degrees F and my resting temperature is at 72-75 degrees F. At night I turn off all the lights, and my room gets to be between 65-70 degrees F. I test these temperatures by moving the probe of the more reliable thermometer around the cage and letting it rest for 10 minutes for an accurate reading. When not in use, I let it sit directly under the basking spot lamp to get a constant reading of the hottest temperature in the cage. Always looking for suggestions on a good, reliable thermometer/hygrometer!
◦ Humidity – One of the thermometers was also a hygrometer, and unfortunately it was the sketchier of the two. When used, my levels consistently read between 10%-30% no matter what I try. I’m also aware that it should ideally be in the 40%-70% humidity range for a Veiled Chameleon. To increase the humidity, I’ve added two live potted plants, mist as described above under ‘Watering’, and am working on repurposing a shower curtain into panels for twos sides of the cage; until I can get my Dragon Strand. Again, always looking for suggestions on a good reliable thermometer/hygrometer!
◦ Plants – In order to help increase humidity levels, and for my chameleon’s happiness, I’ve recently added two live potted plants; a 4” Weeping Fig and a 6” Pothos (Devil’s Ivy). I rinsed each plant off well and got rid of most of the original soil. I then repotted the plants in a clean, rinsed pot with organic potting soil and large river rocks on the top so he doesn’t accidently ingest the soil. No fertilizers or plant foods were used. He doesn’t seem too interested in the Weeping Fig, as it is still pretty small, but he loves to drink from the Pothos plant’s leaves, as well as the leaves of his fake hanging plant and vine.
◦ Placement - His cage is located in my bedroom, where just my partner and I sleep, so I would not consider it high traffic. The vent is located on the other side of the room, as well as a small fan that we keep constantly going on either the slow or medium setting. He does not receive direct wind from that fan. We do sleep with the windows open in the evening (only during the summer), but I have woken up once or twice a night just to make sure that the temperature stays above 65 degrees F. His cage rests on top of my dresser, and so the bottom of the cage is a good 5.5’ off the floor of my room and the top of his cage not but a few feet from my ceiling.
◦ Location – I’m located in a small town called Roy, Washington; fairly close to Mt. Rainer within the Puget Sound Basin.
Current Problem – The past two days I’ve walked into the room and found him resting his head on the branch in a strange way with either one or both of his eyes closed. At first I thought he was maybe napping, but when he sleeps he usually tilts his head up towards the sky and he isn’t doing this when I catch him with his head down. What made me write was that this morning I noticed him actually using his vine to scratch his eyes, both of them. I included a few pictures in this post: one of him swallowing water the weird way he does (swallows food this way too), one of his eye closed when I first walked into the room (I believe the other one was open), one where he is scratching his eyes with his vine (has me worried), and one where he was just hanging out looking normal and cute (to me). I've also included a picture of his cage, just in case that has any clues as well. His eyes don’t look puffy or swollen to me. They look normal, with no discharge or anything messing them up. Maybe I’m being too worrisome? I did read something somewhere about this possibly being a vitamin A deficiency, and since he was a pet shop baby and I don’t know much more to his prior husbandry than that I’m not sure if that is a possibility at this young of an age or not. If I open the cage he perks right back up and opens both eyes normally. I’ve tried to mist him directly thinking maybe a flake of old shed skin, but as mentioned about he DOES NOT like that, moves around the cage, and so it proved useless. Is this maybe normal for Veiled Chameleons? I’m a little worried to give him vitamin A as I’ve read how dangerous it can be if it is not needed… suggestions?
Chameleon Info
◦ Your Chameleon – His name is Hugh, and he is a male (presumed) Veiled Chameleon who is approximately 3” long and 3 months old (presumed) at this time. He has been in my care since August 1st, 2017.
◦ Handling – I have not tried handling him yet as I’ve only had him for one week and I was letting him get used to his surroundings before needlessly stressing him out. At what time should I try handling, and are there any good tips on how?
◦ Feeding – I’m currently feeding him almost exclusively mini crickets (1/4”) that I’ve gut loaded with a Fluker’s High-Calcium Cricket Diet, collard greens, sweet potato peelings, and an orange slice. I offer him the crickets in a cup 2-3x daily. At max he’s only eaten 3 crickets in one day, and only ever 1 per offering, even though to my understanding he should be putting down 8-10 crickets. At first I thought that this was normal as he got used to his new home, but now I’m starting to get concerned. So far he has eaten all of the crickets offered out of the cup, but I do leave 2-3 crickets in the cup on the bottom of his enclosure at all times just in case he does get hungry, which he has yet to eat from. Typically, once he gets a cricket in his mouth it takes him a few minutes to swallow/digest it (he does an Upward-Facing Dog yoga pose as he swallows) and this seems to break his interest in continuing eating. After being with me for a week, is this still considered normal behavior for a young Veiled Chameleon?
◦ Supplements – I’m using all Rep-Cal supplements. I use the Calcium w/out D3 with every food offering (since he is young and growing quickly); I intend on feeding the Multivitamin and the Calcium w/ D3 on alternating Sundays (max 2 a month each).
◦ Watering – Right now I mist his enclosure (focusing on the plants) 3-4x daily for about 2-3 minutes each time. He does not, REPEAT DOES NOT, like this and will either hide in the plants themselves and wait out the storm, or flees to the opposite side of his cage. I do use the ReptiSafe Water Conditioner by ZooMed on all water that he comes into contact with. I witness him drinking typically 1-2x daily and so I believe that this method is working. I’m currently in the process of installing a Little Dripper by ZooMed into his cage so that he will have access to water 24/7; saving up for a Mist King.
◦ Fecal Description – He’s had 4-6 droppings in my care as of writing this. All stool parts were a darker shade of brown, quickly drying to an almost black under his lights. The urine part started off as yellow but gradually changed to a more off-white, and now has been mostly white for the past 2 days. He has not been checked for any parasites.
◦ History – Hugh was purchased at a local pet shop, and so I don’t have much back history on him. I grew up caring for box turtles with my dad (they are his and he still has them), and so I have a pretty basic-to-average familiarity with taking care of reptiles.
Cage Info
◦ Cage Type – For right now I have a Medium ReptiBreeze screen cage by ZooMed (16x16x30), because it was my understanding that a large cage for a small chameleon would be too overwhelming. When he hits the 9-month mark I’m going to switch to a Dragon Strand Large Breeder Cage (21.5x16x44.5) because they look neat and will help maintain good humidity levels, which is something I’m currently struggling with.
◦ Lighting – I'm using two bulbs; a ReptiSun 5.0 for UVA/UVB and a ZooMed 50w Repti Basking Spot Lamp. I turn the ReptiSun on at 7:30am and the basking lamp on at 8:00am, and the basking lamp off at 7:00pm and the ReptiSun off at 7:30pm. In total, 12 hours of the ReptiSun and 11 hours of the basking lamp. Someone told me that the difference helps simulate the natural sunrise/sunset and warming/cooling of their environment.
◦ Temperature – This has been a struggle because I’ve already purchased two digital thermometers with probes, and both, one more than the other, give sketchy readings. The more reliable one says my basking temperature is between 80-83 degrees F and my resting temperature is at 72-75 degrees F. At night I turn off all the lights, and my room gets to be between 65-70 degrees F. I test these temperatures by moving the probe of the more reliable thermometer around the cage and letting it rest for 10 minutes for an accurate reading. When not in use, I let it sit directly under the basking spot lamp to get a constant reading of the hottest temperature in the cage. Always looking for suggestions on a good, reliable thermometer/hygrometer!
◦ Humidity – One of the thermometers was also a hygrometer, and unfortunately it was the sketchier of the two. When used, my levels consistently read between 10%-30% no matter what I try. I’m also aware that it should ideally be in the 40%-70% humidity range for a Veiled Chameleon. To increase the humidity, I’ve added two live potted plants, mist as described above under ‘Watering’, and am working on repurposing a shower curtain into panels for twos sides of the cage; until I can get my Dragon Strand. Again, always looking for suggestions on a good reliable thermometer/hygrometer!
◦ Plants – In order to help increase humidity levels, and for my chameleon’s happiness, I’ve recently added two live potted plants; a 4” Weeping Fig and a 6” Pothos (Devil’s Ivy). I rinsed each plant off well and got rid of most of the original soil. I then repotted the plants in a clean, rinsed pot with organic potting soil and large river rocks on the top so he doesn’t accidently ingest the soil. No fertilizers or plant foods were used. He doesn’t seem too interested in the Weeping Fig, as it is still pretty small, but he loves to drink from the Pothos plant’s leaves, as well as the leaves of his fake hanging plant and vine.
◦ Placement - His cage is located in my bedroom, where just my partner and I sleep, so I would not consider it high traffic. The vent is located on the other side of the room, as well as a small fan that we keep constantly going on either the slow or medium setting. He does not receive direct wind from that fan. We do sleep with the windows open in the evening (only during the summer), but I have woken up once or twice a night just to make sure that the temperature stays above 65 degrees F. His cage rests on top of my dresser, and so the bottom of the cage is a good 5.5’ off the floor of my room and the top of his cage not but a few feet from my ceiling.
◦ Location – I’m located in a small town called Roy, Washington; fairly close to Mt. Rainer within the Puget Sound Basin.
Current Problem – The past two days I’ve walked into the room and found him resting his head on the branch in a strange way with either one or both of his eyes closed. At first I thought he was maybe napping, but when he sleeps he usually tilts his head up towards the sky and he isn’t doing this when I catch him with his head down. What made me write was that this morning I noticed him actually using his vine to scratch his eyes, both of them. I included a few pictures in this post: one of him swallowing water the weird way he does (swallows food this way too), one of his eye closed when I first walked into the room (I believe the other one was open), one where he is scratching his eyes with his vine (has me worried), and one where he was just hanging out looking normal and cute (to me). I've also included a picture of his cage, just in case that has any clues as well. His eyes don’t look puffy or swollen to me. They look normal, with no discharge or anything messing them up. Maybe I’m being too worrisome? I did read something somewhere about this possibly being a vitamin A deficiency, and since he was a pet shop baby and I don’t know much more to his prior husbandry than that I’m not sure if that is a possibility at this young of an age or not. If I open the cage he perks right back up and opens both eyes normally. I’ve tried to mist him directly thinking maybe a flake of old shed skin, but as mentioned about he DOES NOT like that, moves around the cage, and so it proved useless. Is this maybe normal for Veiled Chameleons? I’m a little worried to give him vitamin A as I’ve read how dangerous it can be if it is not needed… suggestions?
