Time Change ????

[browncofan]

My new little guy is coming tomorrow and I have a question about the time difference and scheduling. I live on the west coast and the baby is coming from Florida.

I am worried about the time difference and messing with his sleep schedule. I also work later hours so I would like him to be awake later so I can check on him when I get home at 10pm.

What is the best way to adjust his lighting timer to make it an easy transition for him?

I would also like to take him to the vet to start a record and get to know the vet, also to get the little guy checked out and have a fecal done. Is it best to wait a week or two to let him get settled in first?

Thanks for your answers,
Leslie

 

[kplatvoet]

I see you didn't get any answers so I guess I'll chime in- I'm not an expert so if what I tell you gets shot down in a later answer go with that-
On the fecal my vet will do a fecal without seeing the chameleon- I just have to drop it off- so If your vet does that I would get it done soon after he arrives (within a week or two depending on how easy it is to get a sample from him and how it looks in general) It (his poop) may be a bit orange from the trip and he may go a day or two without eating when he arrives and settles in- so you may not find it easy to get a sample anyway - If he wants you to bring him in (in some cases it's required by law) It would really depend on how he settles in - If he seems to be healthy but is skiddish i would wait-
If you think there's a possible problem earlier-

The Time question is harder (as I have no idea) He most likely will sleep the whole trip to you and arrive before 10:30 - I would keep try to keep the lights to what will be his new schedule but at some point he will probably sit himself on a branch ready for bed - at that point I would make sure he gets 13 hours of dark if it's early and 12 if he stays up to the time you want him to.
I get my boys up early so that I can feed them before work my panther was used to getting up at 8 - I modified his time in 15 min intervals every couple of days turning his lights off as soon as he got to his sleeping place and making sure he was undisturbed (I ended up having to cover his cage till I got new coverings for the windows)

 

[browncofan]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will watch him and adjust the lights in small increments. I made him an appointment for a week from Monday at the Vet. I can take a fecal in earlier if I can get one.

Thanks again

 

[sandrachameleon]

My new little guy is coming tomorrow and I have a question about the time difference and scheduling. I live on the west coast and the baby is coming from Florida.
I am worried about the time difference and messing with his sleep schedule.

I wouldnt worry about it. He will get in sync with your lighting schedule very quickly.

and yes, let him settle in for awhile until a vet check-up is done, unless you notice something amiss

 

[browncofan]

Thanks, just being a little nervous. He came today and is getting settled in. I will post some pics in a new thread.

 

[kplatvoet]

Can't wait to see the pictures - good luck