Reviewing/ Studying for awhile...

[Jeffw]

I have been researching chameleons for about a month now and they are amazing reptiles!. But I feel like I could still learn more about them so I can successfully raise a great chameleon. The Chameleon I would be getting would only be 3-4 months old, So this is what I've gathered so far..

1. I have bought a 18 x 18 x 36 inch Aluminum Screen Cage from lllreptile.com

2. I should feed them all the crickets they can eat twice a day for 5 minutes?
- Calcium without vitamin D3 six times a week.
- Calcium with Vitamin D3 once a week.
- Multivitamin twice a month.
3. I'm not sure on when and how many treats I should give them?(Roaches, mealworms, silkworms)

4. I work 8-10 hrs a day so I should get an automated mister.

5. Buy/ Create a dripper to keep humidity?.. and for drinking water

6. Mist water should be somewhat hot so it sprays out warm.

7. My room is hot in the summer and pretty humid, so should I keep fan on?

8. Still not sure on the few types of bulbs I should be buying? Many to choose from!

9. Wash all new fake plants/ real plants with soap and water and rinse thoroughly

10. Not sure on the real plants I should be buying

11. Buy organic soil.

I know I'm probably forgetting a lot of things to mention, so please explain further what I need to do!

Thank you!

-Jeffw

 

[Jeffw]

Still Needing Help!

 

[CNorton]

I would feed only about 7-10 small feeders a day. Don't worry if they aren't eaten in the first 5 minutes. If they aren't eaten in the first 4 hours, then remove the excess. I prefer to feed every other day, but that's just me.

I prefer the Reptisun 5.0 for UVB and whatever wattage household bulb that produces the desired basking temp at least 3 inches from the top of the cage.

Whoever is telling you that the water you mist with MUST be warm is going above and beyond. IT IS PERFECTLY FINE TO MIST WITH ROOM TEMP WATER. Most of the veteran keepers on this forum have done so for years.


The best plants to use IMO are ficus benjamina, schefflera aribicola, and hibiscus.


Other than that, sound like you've got a good working knowledge so far. You know where to come if you have any other questions!

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

my suggestion...and its only from my experience, your cage will be too small. I have the same cage and I only use it as a baby cage. by 4 mo, mine are out of it to something bigger, and they still get free range, and outside time every day.

have you assembled your LLL, they have bigger ones on sale right now, I think their 2x2x4 are like 57.00 (I might be wrong on that, looked tonite, might have to go back)

Maybe use it for now, get the bigger and use the smaller for a sunning cage?
please know this is jmo
anne

 

[Elizadolots]

Did I miss where you said what sort of chameleon you are purchasing?

I tend to assume Veiled or Panther because they are sort of the "go to" chameleons, but there are lots of others and they have very different care.

As an example: if the chameleon you buy is a Fischer's then that cage is fine for an adult.

See?

So, that's info we need.

You can set up a dripper that will last through your work day. The important thing is to make sure your cage has good drainage and collection so you can have water dripping all that time.

You're right to ask about the fan and the fact that things get hot where you live. One thing some don't realize is that keeping the chameleon cool enough can be a problem. I would say you shouldn't point the fan at the chameleon. He doesn't sweat so won't benefit from evaporative cooling.

If you need the fan for you, then point it away from the cage. If you are trying to cool the chameleon's cage, then I think you need to bounce the fan off something, preferably something that won't add heat to the air like tile.