Wants to come out often.

[Caryss]

I recently got a male veiled chameleon, and recently he almost always wants to come out. Is he ok?

 

[Beman]

Welcome to the forum. Post a picture of his entire enclosure including the lighting on top. And one of the chameleon. This type of behavior is almost always because something within the environment is off for them. So we can take a look and help guide you if that is the reason. If it is not then we can dig in further to find the cause.

 

[BleuSaphir]

If you bought him recently, he’s possibly feeling vulnerable. Not being used to his new environment.

 

[Rango_TheManEater]

When I first got my veiled, he would “paw” at the sides of his enclosure and lay around while puffed up.

This behavior isn’t unusual for a new chameleon, as they may be stressed while adjusting to their new environment. I believe your chameleon is expressing dislike of his/her new environment, but I’m sure this behavior will fade away as time goes on.

If you have had this chameleon for a while, then I would be concerned. As Beman notes, this behavior could signal that something is off in your chameleon’s environment.

 

[Caryss]

Welcome to the forum. Post a picture of his entire enclosure including the lighting on top. And one of the chameleon. This type of behavior is almost always because something within the environment is off for them. So we can take a look and help guide you if that is the reason. If it is not then we can dig in further to find the cause.

 

[Caryss]

If you bought him recently, he’s possibly feeling vulnerable. Not being used to his new environment.

i got him march 8th so like a little over 2 weeks ago

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. You’ve got a large amount of pothos all over, which is wonderful. However, I am wondering if it’s blocking his access to heat and uvb? What have your day time temps been?
Also have to ask about your soil - have you set up a true bioactive with drainage layer and clean up crew?

 

[Beman]

Yeah so exactly what @MissSkittles said... The UVB and heat lamps on top of the cage should not have plants between where the highest branches are at the top. This blocks and reduces the accessible uvb and heat. So the cham is not getting what it needs so it is not content in the cage. So you need to cut back all the pothos on the top that sit above the highest basking branches and vines that you used. If you are using T5 lighting with a 5.0 or 6% bulb strength you need 8-9 inches of unobstructed space to the branches below it to put the cham in the right UVI level so it gets what it needs to thrive and not have health issues. Basking temps should be sitting at 80 at the branch as well. If they are hotter baby will stress and can dehydrate.

Note not sure if you have the cage up against a couch or a bed but I highly recommend moving it away from that. You do not want damage to cloth surfaces. Cham cages produce moisture and humidity which can cause mold growth and bacteria.

 

[Caryss]

Hi. You’ve got a large amount of pothos all over, which is wonderful. However, I am wondering if it’s blocking his access to heat and uvb? What have your day time temps been?
Also have to ask about your soil - have you set up a true bioactive with drainage layer and clean up crew?

yes, it’s bioactive and has a drainage layer. daytime temps are around 21-25 up top and 16-18 on the bottom. he has a basking branch under the heat bulb and it’s not obstructed.

 

[Caryss]

Yeah so exactly what @MissSkittles said... The UVB and heat lamps on top of the cage should not have plants between where the highest branches are at the top. This blocks and reduces the accessible uvb and heat. So the cham is not getting what it needs so it is not content in the cage. So you need to cut back all the pothos on the top that sit above the highest basking branches and vines that you used. If you are using T5 lighting with a 5.0 or 6% bulb strength you need 8-9 inches of unobstructed space to the branches below it to put the cham in the right UVI level so it gets what it needs to thrive and not have health issues. Basking temps should be sitting at 80 at the branch as well. If they are hotter baby will stress and can dehydrate.

Note not sure if you have the cage up against a couch or a bed but I highly recommend moving it away from that. You do not want damage to cloth surfaces. Cham cages produce moisture and humidity which can cause mold growth and bacteria.

ok thank you. i’ll try cutting some of the leaves under the uvb. i think his heats ok though, his basking branch is not obstructed

 

[Caryss]

Yeah so exactly what @MissSkittles said... The UVB and heat lamps on top of the cage should not have plants between where the highest branches are at the top. This blocks and reduces the accessible uvb and heat. So the cham is not getting what it needs so it is not content in the cage. So you need to cut back all the pothos on the top that sit above the highest basking branches and vines that you used. If you are using T5 lighting with a 5.0 or 6% bulb strength you need 8-9 inches of unobstructed space to the branches below it to put the cham in the right UVI level so it gets what it needs to thrive and not have health issues. Basking temps should be sitting at 80 at the branch as well. If they are hotter baby will stress and can dehydrate.

Note not sure if you have the cage up against a couch or a bed but I highly recommend moving it away from that. You do not want damage to cloth surfaces. Cham cages produce moisture and humidity which can cause mold growth and bacteria.

also an edit, i just looked and his branch under the uvb isn’t obstructed either. i think i just took a bad photo

 

[Beman]

also an edit, i just looked and his branch under the uvb isn’t obstructed either. i think i just took a bad photo

That is up to you if you do not want to cut stuff back. We are just giving you clear info so you can be successful and have as little health issues as possible. You want uvb running across the middle of the cage either at an angle or straight middle of it.

If there is not an unobstructed branch that runs at the correct distance from the fixture parallel to the branch below it then the cham is going to struggle. And will be high risk for MBD, stress ailments like being more prone to infection, and failure to thrive issues due to appetite being impacted. UVB lighting not only helps them with strong bones but also is responsible for their diurnal responses that influence things as basic as eating. Looking at your pics as an experienced keeper I can tell you the top level is too dense, but again this is your cage and your cham so do what you feel is best.

Anyways seems as though you have everything handled. Best of luck, this is a hard but fun hobby to be in. A lot to learn for husbandry as they have such specific needs but it pays off in the end.

 

[Caryss]

That is up to you if you do not want to cut stuff back. We are just giving you clear info so you can be successful and have as little health issues as possible. You want uvb running across the middle of the cage either at an angle or straight middle of it.

If there is not an unobstructed branch that runs at the correct distance from the fixture parallel to the branch below it then the cham is going to struggle. And will be high risk for MBD, stress ailments like being more prone to infection, and failure to thrive issues due to appetite being impacted. UVB lighting not only helps them with strong bones but also is responsible for their diurnal responses that influence things as basic as eating. Looking at your pics as an experienced keeper I can tell you the top level is too dense, but again this is your cage and your cham so do what you feel is best.

Anyways seems as though you have everything handled. Best of luck, this is a hard but fun hobby to be in. A lot to learn for husbandry as they have such specific needs but it pays off in the end.

i’ll cut some, thank you