Senegal Chameleon Care Help

[MCSEB]

Hi guys!
Okay so I'm new to this forum and I'm really looking forward to being apart of it and learn a lot about chameleons. Lately I've been reading a lot about senegal chameleons and I am thinking about getting myself a senegal chameleon as a pet. This is my first reptile I'm considering on getting as a pet but I just want to make sure before I get it that I have all my information correct.
1. So I need somewhat of a birdcage for it because chameleons do not like seeing their reflection. My question is how big does the cage have to be just for 1 senegal chameleon?
2. I know they eat house spiders, fruit flies, earthworms, silkworms, etc. my questions is how do I feed it to them? Do I just put them in the cage on their leaves?
3. I know they don't like to drink water out of a bowl and they prefer it on their leaves but I need something like a mist right or can I just get a spray bottle, clean it very well and put some water in it and spray the plants with that water or is a mist most preferred and where could I get a hold of one of those?
4. Temperature wise I know I need a bulb. What does the temperature have to be for the chameleon and for the plants too? I know they need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of non light. What light do you guys suggest me to get?

If there's any other information that I am missing please let me know! I want to be ready when I get my chameleon and thanks for all your help

 

[kinyonga]

Its good to hear that youbare learning about chameleons before you buy one. It's important that the husbandry is right if you want it to do well.

Most chameleons are not bothered by their reflection in my experience.

Do you have airconditioning in your house?

Not sure a Senegal will eat earthworms...but you can use crickets that have been well fed and gutloaded as a staple. Sending on he size of chameleon you get it can also have superworms, silkworms, locusts, roaches, tomato hornworms worms (not from the wild), etc. I have always free ranged the crickets and silk worms and superworms but hand fed roaches.

A spray bottle is fine to provide water for it...but you can be more elaborate and get a misting system if you want to. I would also use a dropper once the chameleon is several months old.

You can use a regular incandescent household bulb in a dome fixture as a basking light. The wattage is determined by the temperature created. For a baby Senegal I would keep the basking area in the low 80's F...for an adult I would keep it in the low mid to high 80's.

You also need a UVB light. The most recommended one is the long linear 5.0 Repti-sun. There should be no glass or plastic between it and the chameleon.

You also need supplements....and phos - free calcium powder, a phos - free calcium / D3 powder and a vitamin powderwith a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A.

Since most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phos its important to dust with calcium at most feedings to make up for it.

The D3 and vitamin powders can each be used twice a month to ensure that the chameleon gets some without overdoing it. D3 from supplements and prEformed vitamin A will build up in the system and lead to health issues

It's controversial as to whether any or all chameleons can convert the beta carotene source some people use a vitamin powder that contains a prEformed source of vitamin A once a month to ensure they get some.

Senegal chameleons need to be well watered. It's important to make sure they drink.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[MCSEB]

Hi!
Thank you so much for replying back and for some more information. It was very helpful and I sure learned a few more things. For the D3 powder do I just sprinkle some of it on their food or what? I want my chameleon to he healthy.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum I never kept Senegals myself, but I can help with a few tips. For the Calcium and vitamin powders a light coating of most of the insects is fine. Quite light dusting is best, not 'ghost' crickets
I just use hand misting, I use a pressure pump sprayer like this - http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p26690
It's easier on the wrist and the chams usually hate the 'trigger' sprayers.
The insects might need to be free in his cage, he might be happy eating from a bowl or feeder tray. You might find it fun to watch him hunt them........
Here is a great link to gutloading info - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

And some ideas for insects - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

 

[MCSEB]

Hey again, David!
Thanks for the welcome For powdering the insects, do I do it for all the food I give them that specific day or on just one insect? I know I have to do this twice a month. Thank you for the link on the pressure pump! I've been actually looking online for the perfect one and I think this one is the best one I've seen so far. I'm actually going to free the insects in the cage. I'm amused sometimes by watching animals eat or maybe hunt for their food. It sounds like something I really wouldn't want to miss Thank you for the other links. I will definitely check it out and do my reading.

 

[DavidBuchan]

It's for every insect. Or most. Silkworms or Phoenix worms don't really need dusting but I still usually do put a little powder on silks.
The usual schedule is plain calcium (no D3) every feeding. Use the D3 powder twice a month. Have a reptile multivitamin powder too for once or twice a month.
I got to be honest, I don't know if Senegals have exactly the same requirements for supplements as Panthers and Veileds, so maybe someone who keeps them could confirm?

 

[MCSEB]

I was actually reading online the other day the difference between Veiled chameleons and senegal and I think they're not that much different. I will definitely look into that. Once again, thank you for everything. You really helped me.