Unexpected Chameleon Owner....

[jhitchcockct]

Let me start off by saying I have no experience with chameleons. Ive always had my two Beardies who will be 10 come august, and Ive rescued, and relocated various other reptiles ( beardies, snakes, monitors, Iggys, ect.) To more competent homes.... Now I have always had a huge interested in Chameleons but due to how difficult they can be to care of I have always avoided them.
Well yesterday I recieved a distrubing phone call from my better half stating there was a reptile in a tub outside in front of our door so as im sure yall have guessed I have taken our new guest in.
I managed to rig up a temporary enclosure thats half glass half screen for him but its to small. So im having one expidited to my home which should arrive by the friday. (See current set up below)

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The new enclosure will be an xl reptibreeze so that should give him or her plenty of space.

As far as lighting he has a 75w basking buld thats keeps his basking area about 90, and a red heat lamp for the night heat. Obviously i have a new uvb bulb for him as well.

From the picture im sure you can tell he doesnt have many places to hide but that will change when the new enclosure arrives. All plants are fake but that will be changing come fri as well.

I have plenty of mealworms, crickets, and various greens for him. I tried hand feeding him last night but he wouldnt bite, so he has a bowl full of chopped collard greens, carrots that are dusted and crawling with mealworms since i wont be able to feed him till 10pm tonight

My wife just picked up a automatic mister which i hope will boost the humidity up some.

When i left this morning he brightened up a little from last night but was still pretty brown (see below)

Luckily though his mood as seemed to improved some by the looks of his colors (see below)

From what my better half, and I have observed we dont think he has ate or drank yet which makes me nervous since his eyes were ever so slightly sunken. I am luckily though seeing no signs of MTB so thats a definite plus.

After do much research I do what to say this big guy is a male by the spurs on his feet, and I think hes a Velied Chameleon but I could definitely use another opinion.

If anyone has any tips or tricks in regards to boosting humidity since it gets to a low 20% when the mister isnt going that would be great along with some tips to get him into eating.

Well wish us luck, and thanks for your help in advance!

 

[JamesBryan]

You don't want any light at night, even a red one.

If the temp drops to lower than 50 overnight then use a ceramic non light emitting lamp.

To increase humidity you'll need to cover the sides using a cheap shower curtain or similar.

It's definitely a Veiled and 99% sure it's a male too, i'm not sure on the age but it's well over a year old i'd say.

 

[jhitchcockct]

You don't want any light at night, even a red one.

If the temp drops to lower than 50 overnight then use a ceramic non light emitting lamp.

To increase humidity you'll need to cover the sides using a cheap shower curtain or similar.

It's definitely a Veiled and 99% sure it's a male too, i'm not sure on the age but it's well over a year old i'd say.

The house never gets below 64 at night so do you think theres a need for the emitter? If so Ill pick one up this weekend.
As far as the shower curtain goes I think that would look kinda trashy but what about putting plexiglass around the back, and sides of the encloser?

 

[JamesBryan]

The house never gets below 64 at night so do you think theres a need for the emitter? If so Ill pick one up this weekend.
As far as the shower curtain goes I think that would look kinda trashy but what about putting plexiglass around the back, and sides of the encloser?

64, that's fine. You don't need any heat or light then. Just switch it all off.

The shower curtain idea was just for a quick fix. Plexiglass will work yeah.