Strange Coloring?

littlekiwi

littlekiwi

Established Member
Hello! I am very new to this, and have had a bearded dragon in the part which was a shared responsibility with a friend. However, I have now gotten baby Kiwi! She’s had a good appetite and a lot of spirit in her, however her coloring is worrying me a bit. From what i could tell she is about 5 months old. Yes, I know glass is not the best, but this is temporary until Petsmart will give me the dang cage! Thanks for any help!
A63C3D14-4D2A-496C-8BB7-3E08348435BF.jpeg
 
  • Your Chameleon - Baby Kiwi is a five month old veiled chameleon. She has been in my care for two to three days.
  • Handling - maybe three times a day for five minute intervals, IF that.
  • Feeding - she is fed once a day since she is young still. around four crickets or six mealworms.
  • Supplements - I use a repti-calcium supplement thing to dust her crickets and meal worms. I also have repti-safe for her water.
  • Watering - I notice her drinking off the moss and where it drips quite often and i mist for 15 seconds about twice or three times a day.
  • Fecal Description - She has been tested for parasites and there is none seen at this time. Her poop is a normal brown and the white thing also has no yellow or orange hues.
  • History - None is known as she was bought from a pet store.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - It is only a temporary tank, as mentioned, until the other comes in. It is twenty gallons and glass with a wire top and glass on sides.
  • Lighting - I use a 2013 model of heating lamp that reaches 80-90 degrees F. I also use a UVP lamp.
  • Temperature - I use a thermometer bought from the pet store, it is 80 degrees F when she sleeps and 85 when awake.
  • Humidity - When sleeping, 60-70%. When awake, 70-80%.
  • Plants - I do use some moss in the cage to maintain moisture.
  • Placement - Not near any fans or things that can compromise her heat.
  • Location - United States, Louisiana

Current Problem - She changes into weirdly coloured stripes and spots but then changes back to a normal color!
 
You got it! Try not to be too harsh, as this is temporary and i know it is not ideal. it will be altered hopefully by tomorrow. Also the UVP isn’t on right now because i’m getting ready for the new cage.
image.jpg

The Wild One said:
Please post pictures of her lighting and set up please!
Click to expand...
 
littlekiwi said:
You got it! Try not to be too harsh, as this is temporary and i know it is not ideal. it will be altered hopefully by tomorrow. Also the UVP isn’t on right now because i’m getting ready for the new cage. View attachment 262054
Click to expand...

Welcome To You and Kiwi To The Forums!

Ok, so I’m guessing with all of what’s going on in the world right now, you can’t get out and buy proper equipment. But go to the resources tab on the left of your screen and read through most of it. You’ll be able to get a good idea of Cham husbandry. As for what you can fix right this second, you need proper lighting which is the number one thing that’s jumping out at me. You need a T5 HO strip and a incandescent house held bulb, both you can order online.

I would take out the rock ( just put it on the outside of the tank, Its super cute) in fear of your cham getting burnt on it. Try to make different levels with the sticks and go out side to see if you can find some more, you want to mimic the top of a tree, since chameleons are arboreal. Take out the green mat at the bottom because it is a breeding ground for bacteria. You have tons of moss, try to find a pothos or some fake plants for more coverage. Use the moss to make more hiding spots, the colors and patterns your cham is showing are symbols of stress, adding hiding spots will make your cham feel more safe.

Please take your cham out of the enclosure while you are re-arranging because it would be adding un-necessary stress. And too much stress could cause illnesses. Ill Review your form, just give me a sec, if you have any more questions, just ask!
 
The Wild One said:
Welcome To You and Kiwi To The Forums!

Ok, so I’m guessing with all of what’s going on in the world right now, you can’t get out and buy proper equipment. But go to the resources tab on the left of your screen and read through most of it. You’ll be able to get a good idea of Cham husbandry. As for what you can fix right this second, you need proper lighting which is the number one thing that’s jumping out at me. You need a T5 HO strip and a incandescent house held bulb, both you can order online.

I would take out the rock ( just put it on the outside of the tank, Its super cute) in fear of your cham getting burnt on it. Try to make different levels with the sticks and go out side to see if you can find some more, you want to mimic the top of a tree, since chameleons are arboreal. Take out the green mat at the bottom because it is a breeding ground for bacteria. You have tons of moss, try to find a pothos or some fake plants for more coverage. Use the moss to make more hiding spots, the colors and patterns your cham is showing are symbols of stress, adding hiding spots will make your cham feel more safe.

Please take your cham out of the enclosure while you are re-arranging because it would be adding un-necessary stress. And too much stress could cause illnesses. Ill Review your form, just give me a sec, if you have any more questions, just ask!
Click to expand...
thank you so much! i’ll be sure to check it out and heed your advice. i really appreciate it!
 
  • Your Chameleon - Baby Kiwi is a five month old veiled chameleon. She has been in my care for two to three days.
  • Handling - maybe three times a day for five minute intervals, IF that.
  • Feeding - she is fed once a day since she is young still. around four crickets or six mealworms.
  • Supplements - I use a repti-calcium supplement thing to dust her crickets and meal worms. I also have repti-safe for her water. does it have D3 in it?
  • Watering - I notice her drinking off the moss and where it drips quite often and i mist for 15 seconds about twice or three times a day. I hope she doesn't ingest the moss...a nontoxic plant leaf would be better for it to drip on
  • Fecal Description - She has been tested for parasites and there is none seen at this time. Her poop is a normal brown and the white thing also has no yellow or orange hues.
  • History - None is known as she was bought from a pet store.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - It is only a temporary tank, as mentioned, until the other comes in. It is twenty gallons and glass with a wire top and glass on sides.
  • Lighting - I use a 2013 model of heating lamp that reaches 80-90 degrees F. I also use a UVP lamp. the most often recommended UVB light is the long linear reptisun 5.0 tube light. For basking all you need is a regular incandescent household bulb.
  • Temperature - I use a thermometer bought from the pet store, it is 80 degrees F when she sleeps and 85 when awake.
  • Humidity - When sleeping, 60-70%. When awake, 70-80%.
  • Plants - I do use some moss in the cage to maintain moisture. pothos, schefflera, hibiscus...any other non toxic well washed (both sides of the leaves) plants would be good for the cage.
  • Placement - Not near any fans or things that can compromise her heat.
  • Location - United States, Louisiana
Hope this helps!
 
kinyonga said:
  • Your Chameleon - Baby Kiwi is a five month old veiled chameleon. She has been in my care for two to three days.
  • Handling - maybe three times a day for five minute intervals, IF that.
  • Feeding - she is fed once a day since she is young still. around four crickets or six mealworms.
  • Supplements - I use a repti-calcium supplement thing to dust her crickets and meal worms. I also have repti-safe for her water. does it have D3 in it?
  • Watering - I notice her drinking off the moss and where it drips quite often and i mist for 15 seconds about twice or three times a day. I hope she doesn't ingest the moss...a nontoxic plant leaf would be better for it to drip on
  • Fecal Description - She has been tested for parasites and there is none seen at this time. Her poop is a normal brown and the white thing also has no yellow or orange hues.
  • History - None is known as she was bought from a pet store.

Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - It is only a temporary tank, as mentioned, until the other comes in. It is twenty gallons and glass with a wire top and glass on sides.
  • Lighting - I use a 2013 model of heating lamp that reaches 80-90 degrees F. I also use a UVP lamp. the most often recommended UVB light is the long linear reptisun 5.0 tube light. For basking all you need is a regular incandescent household bulb.
  • Temperature - I use a thermometer bought from the pet store, it is 80 degrees F when she sleeps and 85 when awake.
  • Humidity - When sleeping, 60-70%. When awake, 70-80%.
  • Plants - I do use some moss in the cage to maintain moisture. pothos, schefflera, hibiscus...any other non toxic well washed (both sides of the leaves) plants would be good for the cage.
  • Placement - Not near any fans or things that can compromise her heat.
  • Location - United States, Louisiana
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
it is. thank you! but is the coloring wrong on her?
 
I Put my answers in bold, it may seem like a lot of information to take in, but just know that its all for your cham!

  • Your Chameleon - Baby Kiwi is a five month old veiled chameleon. She has been in my care for two to three days.
  • Handling - maybe three times a day for five minute intervals, IF that.If you just got her, try not to handle her at all and let her get used to the new environment. There are amazing blogs on the forums on building trust when its time.
  • Feeding - she is fed once a day since she is young still. around four crickets or six mealworms. We recommend staying away from mealworms because they have no nutritional value and are hard to digest, try some superworms or hornworms. Be careful because superworms are high in fat and hornworms are bags of water, these should be used at treats. Dubia roaches are a great feeder because they live forever, dont smell, and are easy to gutload. you can get tons of them online from the site sponsors, amazon, or even some of the members on the site sell them. Feed her in the morning so her body can digest it throught the day.
  • Supplements - I use a repti-calcium supplement thing to dust her crickets and meal worms. I also have repti-safe for her water. Your cham will need a light dusting of powder With out D3 and dusting twice a month with D3 and Multivitamins. A Light dusting means they should not look like powdered donuts lol
  • Watering - I notice her drinking off the moss and where it drips quite often and i mist for 15 seconds about twice or three times a day. You want to mist with distilled water, an RO system, or if it comes to the last straw, tap water. The misting should be 3-5 minutes to give the cham time to drink and clean its eyes. A dripper is a really good investment to make, to ensure that she is getting enough water.
  • Fecal Description - She has been tested for parasites and there is none seen at this time. Her poop is a normal brown and the white thing also has no yellow or orange hues. White part= Urate, if the Urate is orange or yellow, that means she is dehydrated
  • History - None is known as she was bought from a pet store. Just a heads up, pet store employees know almost nothing about chams, so don't take their word for it.
Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - It is only a temporary tank, as mentioned, until the other comes in. It is twenty gallons and glass with a wire top and glass on sides. As long as the cage is at least 2x2x4, your all good.
  • Lighting - I use a 2013 model of heating lamp that reaches 80-90 degrees F. I also use a UVP lamp. You'll want a T5 HO and an incandescent house held bulb
  • Temperature - I use a thermometer bought from the pet store, it is 80 degrees F when she sleeps and 85 when awake.Just make sure that it is pitch black when she sleeps, no heat light or anything.
  • Humidity - When sleeping, 60-70%. When awake, 70-80%.
  • Plants - I do use some moss in the cage to maintain moisture. Look into getting some plants, such at pothos, wandering jew, or schefflera. Just make sure that what ever plant you get, its cham safe. Veilds in particular eat plants more than other species.
  • Placement - Not near any fans or things that can compromise her heat.
  • Location - United States, Louisiana
Current Problem - She changes into weirdly coloured stripes and spots but then changes back to a normal color! Those are just stress patterns. She looks ok.
 
You're welcome.
Colors and patterns can change for various reasons. They go dark if they are cold. Dark can also mean angry/aggressive sometimes but then there are other things that go along wi the angry/aggressive colorant. The pattern you are seeing there can occur when they are exploring or unsure of their surroundings or sometimes stressed...but it's ok. When she's older her colors will tell you when she's receptive, gravid (pretnant) as well.
Btw females can lay eggs and need an egglaying bin in the cage at all times once they are mature....just a heads up!
 
kinyonga said:
You're welcome.
Colors and patterns can change for various reasons. They go dark if they are cold. Dark can also mean angry/aggressive sometimes but then there are other things that go along wi the angry/aggressive colorant. The pattern you are seeing there can occur when they are exploring or unsure of their surroundings or sometimes stressed...but it's ok. When she's older her colors will tell you when she's receptive, gravid (pretnant) as well.
Btw females can lay eggs and need an egglaying bin in the cage at all times once they are mature....just a heads up!
Click to expand...
i’ll be sure to get what i can. it’s a struggle with what’s going on in the world with corona having my baby girl, but i know it’ll all work out!
 
The Wild One said:
I Put my answers in bold, it may seem like a lot of information to take in, but just know that its all for your cham!

  • Your Chameleon - Baby Kiwi is a five month old veiled chameleon. She has been in my care for two to three days.
  • Handling - maybe three times a day for five minute intervals, IF that.If you just got her, try not to handle her at all and let her get used to the new environment. There are amazing blogs on the forums on building trust when its time.
  • Feeding - she is fed once a day since she is young still. around four crickets or six mealworms. We recommend staying away from mealworms because they have no nutritional value and are hard to digest, try some superworms or hornworms. Be careful because superworms are high in fat and hornworms are bags of water, these should be used at treats. Dubia roaches are a great feeder because they live forever, dont smell, and are easy to gutload. you can get tons of them online from the site sponsors, amazon, or even some of the members on the site sell them. Feed her in the morning so her body can digest it throught the day.
  • Supplements - I use a repti-calcium supplement thing to dust her crickets and meal worms. I also have repti-safe for her water. Your cham will need a light dusting of powder With out D3 and dusting twice a month with D3 and Multivitamins. A Light dusting means they should not look like powdered donuts lol
  • Watering - I notice her drinking off the moss and where it drips quite often and i mist for 15 seconds about twice or three times a day. You want to mist with distilled water, an RO system, or if it comes to the last straw, tap water. The misting should be 3-5 minutes to give the cham time to drink and clean its eyes. A dripper is a really good investment to make, to ensure that she is getting enough water.
  • Fecal Description - She has been tested for parasites and there is none seen at this time. Her poop is a normal brown and the white thing also has no yellow or orange hues. White part= Urate, if the Urate is orange or yellow, that means she is dehydrated
  • History - None is known as she was bought from a pet store. Just a heads up, pet store employees know almost nothing about chams, so don't take their word for it.
Cage Info:
  • Cage Type - It is only a temporary tank, as mentioned, until the other comes in. It is twenty gallons and glass with a wire top and glass on sides. As long as the cage is at least 2x2x4, your all good.
  • Lighting - I use a 2013 model of heating lamp that reaches 80-90 degrees F. I also use a UVP lamp. You'll want a T5 HO and an incandescent house held bulb
  • Temperature - I use a thermometer bought from the pet store, it is 80 degrees F when she sleeps and 85 when awake.Just make sure that it is pitch black when she sleeps, no heat light or anything.
  • Humidity - When sleeping, 60-70%. When awake, 70-80%.
  • Plants - I do use some moss in the cage to maintain moisture. Look into getting some plants, such at pothos, wandering jew, or schefflera. Just make sure that what ever plant you get, its cham safe. Veilds in particular eat plants more than other species.
  • Placement - Not near any fans or things that can compromise her heat.
  • Location - United States, Louisiana
Current Problem - She changes into weirdly coloured stripes and spots but then changes back to a normal color! Those are just stress patterns. She looks ok.
Click to expand...
i’ll take some notes on what you’ve told me and start looking for what you’ve said tomorrow! i really appreciate the help!
 
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