I have my new veiled in an Exo-Terra "Rainforest" Terrarium 18x18x24, Zoo Med Reptifogger, branches, vines, (2) Repti Glo 5.0 bulbs in the compact top canopy that comes with it, coconut moss that comes with it, a basking lamp (75W) w/ the UVB output. I can only get the temp to 80 degrees.....it will not go any higher. Is there anything else I can do to make the temperature go up? I will post a pic when I take one in a few minutes...Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Temperature not getting high enough.....HELP!
- Thread starter DDHackett
- Start date
Solid Snake
Avid Member
What are you using to measure these temps?
You should be getting a much higher reading from that setup.
You should be getting a much higher reading from that setup.
UrbanChameleon
New Member
Is it the ones that stick to the glass, or the digital thermometer/hydrometer DD?
You will want to buy the digital gauges. The analog gauges (that stick to the glass) are faulty. Mine never went about 82 degrees and I had a 75 watt bulb in there. When I got the digital thermometer a week later, it read 105 degrees F. I was cooking my poor baby.
After that, I used a 25 watt bulb in the same size cage which kept the temp around 82 F. Which is perfect for a young Veiled. And my house usually stays around 70-72. I would honestly not put anything higher than a 40 watt on that cage.
You can buy the digital thermometer and hydrometer gauges at Petland, Walmart, Lowes, etc. I use the Exo Terra brand from the pet store. Make sure it has a temperature probe if you buy it from Walmart or Lowes. Those get the best readings.
You will want to buy the digital gauges. The analog gauges (that stick to the glass) are faulty. Mine never went about 82 degrees and I had a 75 watt bulb in there. When I got the digital thermometer a week later, it read 105 degrees F. I was cooking my poor baby.
After that, I used a 25 watt bulb in the same size cage which kept the temp around 82 F. Which is perfect for a young Veiled. And my house usually stays around 70-72. I would honestly not put anything higher than a 40 watt on that cage.
You can buy the digital thermometer and hydrometer gauges at Petland, Walmart, Lowes, etc. I use the Exo Terra brand from the pet store. Make sure it has a temperature probe if you buy it from Walmart or Lowes. Those get the best readings.
UrbanChameleon
New Member
UrbanChameleon
New Member
Yeah that's the pet market for ya. I research and read reviews on everything before I purchase it. Especially after that. Don't be a stranger here on the forums. Everyone has had varying amounts of experience which really comes in handy. Post some pics of you Chameleon. That way we can tell you if you have a female or male. Females need different care. Which includes lower temps, less food, and a laying bin. The females lay eggs without being mated, so it's very important. And you want to have everything in her cage even when she is young. Some females can start laying by 6 months old, especially if the temps in their cage are as high as I think they are.
I'm sure someone else with the proper links can post them for you. If you can, post a picture of his/her back legs. If they have a spur (visible bump) on the back, that means you have a male. If not, you have a female. It's pretty easy to tell with Veileds. I would post a picture so the other members can weigh in. That way you can find out the sex of your Chameleon and provide the correct care if he/she is a female.
I'm sure someone else with the proper links can post them for you. If you can, post a picture of his/her back legs. If they have a spur (visible bump) on the back, that means you have a male. If not, you have a female. It's pretty easy to tell with Veileds. I would post a picture so the other members can weigh in. That way you can find out the sex of your Chameleon and provide the correct care if he/she is a female.
UrbanChameleon
New Member
We need a pic of the back of your Chameleon's back feet. Where is the thermometer located in the cage? It needs to be right on the basking spot. The basking spot is basically right under the heat light. Not in the bottom or middle of the cage. Literally right under the light at the top of the cage. The basking spot is has the highest tepeeature in the cage and it should read about 82-85 F for a 3 month old Veiled. I think you have a female, but it's difficult to tell without seeing your Chameleon's back legs.
Does anyone have an example picture to show her?
Does anyone have an example picture to show her?
Than k you for all your help.....mine does not have the spurs above the heels, so I do believe my cham is a SHE! I did put the thermometer under the basking spot and it is reading about 82-84. Just based on what I read, they should be in 90-100 degree heat in the day? She seems to be eating fine, not sure if she is drinking water from the leaves. She is still very scared when I put my hand in the tank. I have been placing the crickets on the branches near her to give her a better chance of eating, since she doesn't go to the bottom of the tank. I hear they like mustard greens, but she will NOT touch them. What other veggies or fruits can I try to give her?
UrbanChameleon
New Member
That's good! That's exactly where the temps should be. Baby Chameleons and females need lower temperatures. I wouldn't have a 90-95 degree basking spot unless you have a full grown adult male. 100 degrees seems high in my opinion. Those care sheets were written for adult Chameleons. Not young and juvenile Chameleons. I don't own any females, so I don't have full on experience. With their needs. I only know what I've read here on the forums. I have done ALL of my research here on this forum. Not saying that there isn't good information out on the web, but there is way too much misinformation. Use the search tool and the health section to find out about owning a female Veiled. It's really important to have their needs met, or else they could lay eggs too often, or retain them.
It is perfectly normal for her to be afraid of your hand. Think of how big they are compared to her. My Veiled won't let me anywhere near him without trying to bite. I've accepted it as who he is. On the other hand, my Panther Chameleon is very sweet. It all depends on the Chameleon.
Im not too sure why she isn't interested in crickets. It's either A) the husbandry is off B) she needs variety. You might have to order silk or horn worms online. Wax worms, meal worms, and super worms are considered treats. They can cause serious health issues if fed too many. I really don't like too even keep them in the house.
As for the fruit and veggies, it also depends on the Cham. I waited until my guy was about 4 months old. I fed him crickets and worms by hand, which he became used to. I was then able to feed him Kale and Collard greens by hand. If you move it around with your fingers it becomes more enticing to them. Practice makes perfect. So you might want to try hand feeding and/or cup feeding. You can use a regular deli cup, lightly dust the crickets with supplement, and then hold the cup by your Chameleon. There are some videos on YouTube.
By the way.. you can tell if she's drinking water by her poop. The brown part is the actual fecal matter, and the white part is urine. The urine should be as close to white as possible. If it is yellow or orange that means she's isn't well hydrated. Many Chams are shy when it comes to drinking. I've only seen my Veiled drink about 7 times since I've had him. But I see my Panther drink every day all day. He isn't shy at all. But you can tell by her poop. So keep an eye on it every day when you clean it up. That way you know she is drinking.
