Shedding and dark colors

[Auriana713]

My Cham hasn’t been eating much and has been pretty dark but he’s also shedding a lot right now so I was wondering if this is normal or or I should take him in to get a checkup or something. He’s also seemed more grump and has been spending a lot of time on the the top of his enclosure

 

[Serbianchameleon]

Please fill this up and post it back on this thread.


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.

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?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Serbianchameleon]

@JacksJill

 

[Auriana713]

he is a rainbow Jackson chameleon, hes a juvenile but I don’t know how old he is. I’m feeding him crickets which are eating apples and carrots . I dust the crickets with calcium powder every other day and so far have been dusting them with the reptivite reptile vitamins once a week. I mist his enclosure 3 times a day making sure all the plants are wet and I put 2 drops of water conditioner in the water for each cup. The cage I’m using is a screen one that’s 16” x 16” x 30” but I’m going to be moving him into the X-large zoomed enclosure. The lights I’m using are the mini combo deep dome lamp fixture as well as a t5 ho linear UV bulb which I keep on until around 8 when he goes to sleep. Inside of the enclosure I have a large Dracaena, an ivy plant and one more little tree witch I think is a dracaena marginata that was recommended to me by another chameleon owner. My cage is in my room on a dresser quite high off the ground and I always have the rooms fan on. And I live in Las Vegas...I’m worried because he was fine until like two days ago when he started spending lots of time on the top and sides of his enclosure and his coloring has darkened up and he’s also shedding a lot.

 

[JacksJill]

You will need to fix his supplement schedule ASAP. Weekly multi vitamin is to much it only needs tp be given once a month and be sure your calcium does not have D3 in it. If not you are fine and every other day is good. He should get a very light dusting of a D3 and calcium supplement once a month.
Back to your original question sometimes they don't eat as well when they are shedding. His appetite might be off because of too many vitamins or because he is getting older and growing less.
You live in a rather dry area are you able to get 40% humidity during the day and 80% at night? With winter coming and running a heater you may have to work harder to raise his humidity.