I have a veiled chameleon I believe to be 14 weeks. I've had him (male) for about 9 weeks. I handle him twice a day for feeding. In the morning he is now eating 1 pinhead cricket, dusted with calcium & the same at night. I put him in a small plastic container for feeding. I didn't know he needed vitamins till now that I've been on the forum. He's on rep-cal calcium with vit.D. (Phosphorus-free). I dust crickets at both feedings. I have a spray bottle I use to mist him twice a day, about 1 minute long. I don't see him drink water. He hasn't been tested for parasites. Droppings are normal & regular. I have him in a 10 gallon aquarium. Screen is only at the top. Lights are on from 8 a.m.-8p.m. I have a zoo med basking spit lamp 50 watts & zoo med UVB 5.0 bulb. I don't know my humidity or temp. I have artificial plants. In bedroom on small night stand. About 4 foot off the floor, under ac vent. The careen top has aluminum foil to keep humidity in. We're in florida. He's just as small as when I got him. I'm very worried about him. Am I doing something wrong? Please help me out & Pascal out.
Urgent! Scared pascal isn't growing.
- Thread starter Pascal420
- Start date
Lpsouth1978
Avid Member
I, unfortunately am no expert, as I have never had a baby cham (but have had other baby reptiles). However, there are a few things that concern me.
First, what kind of UVB bulb are you using? I am assuming it is a coil bulb since it is over a 10 gallon tank. You really want to get him a linear tube style UVB bulb.
Second, you should only be using calcium w/D3 once or twice a month. You need to get calcium w/o D3 for dusting daily.
Are you gut loading the crickets before feeding them? This will make them MUCH more nutritious!
And then there is the glass tank. There are several reasons you should not be using it. The first is that it does not allow for good air flow, which chams require for good health. Also a 10 gallon tank is very difficult to regulate temps in. It is very hard to have a warm basking spot and a cool side. It is also too small, it may be ok for a month or so, but then he should really be moved to a larger screen cage. You can buy a large one (fit for an adult) and section it off. As he grows remove the dividers to give him more room until he is large enough to use the entire enclosure.
I also think he needs more mistings. Baby's can get dehydrated VERY easy! I mist my veiled 4x a day for 5 minutes each time. Twice a day for only a minute or two is just not enough. It can take several minutes of misting to simply trigger a drinking response in chams.
Finally, you MUST get a reliable thermometer and hygrometer (humidity gauge). If the temps are not high enough, your cham will not be able to digest his food properly and will be malnourished. If the humidity is not right (too high or low) he can develop respiratory issues and infections. Without knowing what the temps and humidity are, there is no way to ensure your cham is properly cared for. I would think that in Florida you should not need the aluminum foil on covering the screen, especially with a glass tank. If you increase your misting, and spray the whole tank down, you should find that the humidity will stay between 50-80% throughout the day. I live in Colorado, VERY dry, and have no problem keeping my enclosure between 60-90%. It will usually drop to about 60%, but after misting goes up to 99% then slowly down to 60% before being misted again.
Good luck with your little guy.
First, what kind of UVB bulb are you using? I am assuming it is a coil bulb since it is over a 10 gallon tank. You really want to get him a linear tube style UVB bulb.
Second, you should only be using calcium w/D3 once or twice a month. You need to get calcium w/o D3 for dusting daily.
Are you gut loading the crickets before feeding them? This will make them MUCH more nutritious!
And then there is the glass tank. There are several reasons you should not be using it. The first is that it does not allow for good air flow, which chams require for good health. Also a 10 gallon tank is very difficult to regulate temps in. It is very hard to have a warm basking spot and a cool side. It is also too small, it may be ok for a month or so, but then he should really be moved to a larger screen cage. You can buy a large one (fit for an adult) and section it off. As he grows remove the dividers to give him more room until he is large enough to use the entire enclosure.
I also think he needs more mistings. Baby's can get dehydrated VERY easy! I mist my veiled 4x a day for 5 minutes each time. Twice a day for only a minute or two is just not enough. It can take several minutes of misting to simply trigger a drinking response in chams.
Finally, you MUST get a reliable thermometer and hygrometer (humidity gauge). If the temps are not high enough, your cham will not be able to digest his food properly and will be malnourished. If the humidity is not right (too high or low) he can develop respiratory issues and infections. Without knowing what the temps and humidity are, there is no way to ensure your cham is properly cared for. I would think that in Florida you should not need the aluminum foil on covering the screen, especially with a glass tank. If you increase your misting, and spray the whole tank down, you should find that the humidity will stay between 50-80% throughout the day. I live in Colorado, VERY dry, and have no problem keeping my enclosure between 60-90%. It will usually drop to about 60%, but after misting goes up to 99% then slowly down to 60% before being misted again.
Good luck with your little guy.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Please read this care sheet thoroughly. It will tell you everything you need to get and do. Yes, you are doing things wrong. Chameleons do not grow to the size of their cages like some animals so that is most likely not why he is so small. A 10 gallon tank is a no no regardless. Two pinheads a day? Is that all he is eating or all you are offering?. He should be eating as much as he wants at that size and should easily be able to consume 25 plus small feeders a day. He might not be growing because he is not getting any nutrition.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
Also. I would not stick his cage directly under the ac vent.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
Also. I would not stick his cage directly under the ac vent.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Are you sure he's not growing? Have you got pics of "then" and "now". Animals tend to grow when your not looking
Even so, that chameleon is very tiny for 3 1/2 months old.
CrazyChamLady13
New Member
Poor little Guy! You should be feeding him anywhere between 15-20 a day. He should be in a screen enclosure. Everyone has already given you excellent advice. Give that little Guy some food, please!
CLP
New Member
I agree with the lack of food being the reason why he isn't growing. My guy around the same age as yours eats about 2 dozen 2 week old crickets a day. I am also concerned about the 10 gallon aquarium with a 50 watt basking light. I would think that is way too hot. You absolutely need to have a digital thermometer so you can properly monitor the temperature in there. Not just at the basking spot but also in other areas. Also, just to make sure you are aware, once he starts growing, that aquarium is going to get way to small really fast.
Read the care sheet you were given the link to and correct what needs correcting. If you have more questions, please ask!
Read the care sheet you were given the link to and correct what needs correcting. If you have more questions, please ask!
little leaf
Avid Member
well, first Welcome to the forum
I will not add to what other have already said, they are correct in all of it( and I do not keep veilds)
but, I will tell you , for your temp/ humidity gauges, you can go to wal mart, and get the dig/ weather ones- they are about $12, and will tell you the temp, humidity , and time all at once - ( just don't mis read it- lol I looked at mine one morning , and thought my temps had gone hay wire- it was 103.9 in my Jax cage- until I looked again - temp was 79, TIME was 10:39
- lol ) they have a little probe you just put on the vine , knowing his temps / humidity are also very important - but it is good you are correcting things and I bet once you get him the proper cage, and food, the little one will shoot right off for you - he is very cute
I will not add to what other have already said, they are correct in all of it
( and I do not keep veilds) but, I will tell you , for your temp/ humidity gauges, you can go to wal mart, and get the dig/ weather ones- they are about $12, and will tell you the temp, humidity , and time all at once - ( just don't mis read it- lol I looked at mine one morning , and thought my temps had gone hay wire- it was 103.9 in my Jax cage- until I looked again - temp was 79, TIME was 10:39
- lol ) they have a little probe you just put on the vine , knowing his temps / humidity are also very important - but it is good you are correcting things and I bet once you get him the proper cage, and food, the little one will shoot right off for you - he is very cute 
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Firstly, don't handle him so much. If you want him to grow he has to eat, let him eat UNDISTURBED in his enclosure (bowl / cup feeding might be useful). Give him as many bugs as he will eat within 5 minutes, 2-3 times daily.
the rep-cal with D3 should be used twice monthly. Use a vitamin free and phosphorous free calcium/mineral powder the rest of the time, as needed.
provide more water
start measuring temp and humidity - its vital you keep this in healthy range, especially for a small animal
under an AC vent is likely poor placement
Im sorry to tell you, but your care is not good. Have a read of a basic care sheet to get started on the right track, before the animal dies:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/
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