still not eating! Help:(

[Carlin]

My 3.5 month old ambilobe is still not eating properly after 5 days. he is looking healthy otherwise, his poop is a good consistency, his urates are white. i moved his enclosure 5 days ago and since then he hasnt eaten much of anything...

i have offered crickets, small locusts, superworms, and the occasional wax worm. i have seen him eat 1 wax worm but thats about it.

im concerned now as hes young and will be growing at a rapid rate, i worry that his bones arent getting the nutrients they need! i have had him for 3 weeks and havent seen him shed? could this have anything to do with it?

i have had a chameleon before and have experienced starvation bids, but not with a cham this young! HELP!!!

 

[Solid Snake]

Hello there!
First Im going to point out, that it is easier to get help if you keep it to one thread.
That shouldnt sound as harsh as it probably does. Its just easier to keep track of all the known information, that way you get a more appropriate response, just sayin
Ok,that said, is it an aquarium, or terrarium you have him housed in?
If you have pictures of the setup that would help lots.

 

[Carlin]

no worries i wasnt sure. ill post in in the same thread next time.

ill get a pic of his set up on within the hour i need to nip out. he is housed in a glass enclosure with screen top.

i have a 2x2x4" for him to go into in a couple of months but didnt wanna put him straight into that as i thought it too big.

 

[Solid Snake]

Put him in it. I put my guy in a 3x3x5 at 3 months, and started free ranging at 4 months.
Glass sides and a screen top describes an aquarium, as well as a terraium is why I asked. A terrarium works, an aquarium does not.

I look forward to the pics, but really I would throw him into the 2x2x4 asap, hell be more comfy.

 

[Carlin]

ok well ill get some plants from the nursery next week and get him moved. heres the terrarium hes in now!

 

[Solid Snake]

Ok good deal. I think you should isolate the basking spot to a back corner. This will create a better temperature gradient. I would also angle it straight down, with almost half the fixture hanging off the cage. A cage that small is going to heat up quickly, and its size makes it hard to get a good gradient anyhow.
He also needs more horizontal climby things, especially in the upper portion of the cage. Line up the basking bulb right in the back corner, have a branch coming right from the same corner, angled down towards the center of the cage. This will allow him to choose his temp better. Keep the coverage on the sides and all, but get more vines or branches from outside or somthing, and lay them in there.
As for eating, he may be a bit freaked still, or may just not be able to regulate his temp the way he wants, which largely effects digestion and appetite.
If any of that didnt make sense, just let me know. But thats how I would do it.

 

[Carlin]

yer ok, that makes sense, so you think it could be down to temperature regulation then?

ill have to go get a 40w bulb because the 60w straight on the top makes it about 100f i dont want the little man burning himself! fingers crossed that will make the difference. his basking spot atm is around 85-90f.

 

[Solid Snake]

Looking back at your other post, if that is indeed a 10.0 you will need to raise it. Measure 5" up that wall from the top of the cage, and put some hooks or screws and mount it to the wall. That would be easiest, and would work out fine.
I also should mention to check basking temps after you move stuff around. That way your sure there on spot. I give a basking of 87ish-95ish, but I would keep it on the lower end for that setup.

 

[Solid Snake]

yer ok, that makes sense, so you think it could be down to temperature regulation then?

ill have to go get a 40w bulb because the 60w straight on the top makes it about 100f i dont want the little man burning himself! fingers crossed that will make the difference. his basking spot atm is around 85-90f.

You can still raise it, just center it over the corner id say.
I cant be 100% or anything, but yes the temp can play a huge role, as it controls there metabolism, and digestion.
His "comfort" also plays a significant role, and I think hell be much happier with the horizantal bits thrown in The more areas of the cage he can get to, the more options he has for temp/UVB gradient.
Its all about the gradients, you provide them, and the animal will do its thing, and get what he needs from it

 

[Carlin]

i have got a 40w bulb in there now straight down in the rear left hand corner with more climbing area installed for him!

i really hope he starts eating soon. im freaking out!

thanks for your advice bud, its much appreciated.

 

[Solid Snake]

No problem. Just keep in mind that he will not starve to death if there is food.
Its good that you worry, to an extent, but no need to worry about him starving if your giving food. Much better than not caring though
Just raise the UVB(if its 10.0), and keep an eye on temps, and for sure give him more things to climb on, other than that you look good.

 

[Carlin]

aaaargggh! hes walking around the bottom of his enclosure showing dark colours now... im starting to think this chameleon was designed to make me worry!

 

[Solid Snake]

Thats what all chameleons are designed for!
What all have you changed?
Can you post an updated pic?
A pic of him?
Change will make them skiddish, so you may be starting from square one as far as him settling in.

 

[Carlin]

ok like we discussed earlier i have raised the repti sun and put the basking lamp in the far corner.

i have put in a couple more vines at the top, i did the best i could with what i have.

here are a few more pics.

 

[Solid Snake]

I think you did a great job!
It looks like he is just checking things out from a "safe" spot. When I first got my guy I hardly ever saw him out and about in plain site. He looks fine to me
Just throw him some crickets to distract him, and he will be settled more by this time tomarrow!

 

[Carlin]

thanks ok well fingers crossed the hunger strike will stop asap.

i just went to go and have a look at him and hes perched up on his basking spot now. ill keep you posted!

thanks for your help.

 

[Solid Snake]

Good deal! Yes please do!