When should I move my veiled chameleon to a larger enclosure?

[thejewgo]

I have a veiled chameleon I wanna estimate about 3-4 months maybe? When should I move him to his larger terrarium

 

[Kaianuanu]

It depends on how big his enclosure now? However, do not hesitate to move him into a full sized enclosure now. I have been having great success with my 3 month old panther in his 2x2x4. You just need to put in a bit more time to make sure he is getting enough food.

 

[thejewgo]

Why do you say that? Does he look skinny

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. My guess on your little ones age would be 2 to 3 months old. What size cage is he in now? I always recommend a smaller cage the first few months to make it easier to find their feeders. At his age feed him all that he wants. I have a blog for new keepers attached below that you might find helpful. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

More great info: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[Kaianuanu]

I have a veiled chameleon I wanna estimate about 3-4 months maybe? When should I move him to his larger terrarium

Why do you say that? Does he look skinny

Not at all, your little guy looks fine, however, people often say juvenile chams need to be kept in small cages, because they get lost in full sized cages as babies. However, I have kept my little panther in his 2x2x4 from the start, but the only alteration to his care that I have to worry about is feeding him. The cage is a little too big to just throw in crickets because he probably won't find most of them, so I have to let them go on the screen or vines toward the top where he is hanging out so he can find them. For instance, I often drop a few crickets when I feed him, of these that I drop, only about 15-20% actually climb the screen and get eaten. So if you just threw the crickets in, you would have to throw in like 5 to 7 times as many as he needs to eat. IMO, this method of feeding is also better because when I do this, he recognizes my presence and knows most of the food is coming from me, and this serves to socialize the Cham like hand feeding does.

 

[jannb]

Not at all, your little guy looks fine, however, people often say juvenile chams need to be kept in small cages, because they get lost in full sized cages as babies. However, I have kept my little panther in his 2x2x4 from the start, but the only alteration to his care that I have to worry about is feeding him. The cage is a little too big to just throw in crickets because he probably won't find most of them, so I have to let them go on the screen or vines toward the top where he is hanging out so he can find them. For instance, I often drop a few crickets when I feed him, of these that I drop, only about 15-20% actually climb the screen and get eaten. So if you just threw the crickets in, you would have to throw in like 5 to 7 times as many as he needs to eat. IMO, this method of feeding is also better because when I do this, he recognizes my presence and knows most of the food is coming from me, and this serves to socialize the Cham like hand feeding does.

You should try cup feeding. Be sure to get the uneaten crickets out of the cage before your Cham goes to sleep for the night or the crickets may very well eat on your Cham.

 

[Kaianuanu]

You should try cup feeding. Be sure to get the uneaten crickets out of the cage before your Cham goes to sleep for the night or the crickets may very well eat on your Cham.

My little guy refuses to eat out of a cup, but it's no big deal since I enjoy watching him hunt. And I am also very careful about loose crickets. Luckily, my little guy sleeps in a spot that is virtually inaccessible to the crickets.

 

[thejewgo]

i too also like to watch him hunt, tis cool, he hissed at me for the first time today haha it was awesome. but thanks for the info