Why’s my baby chameleon digging?

[Eileen]

ooohhhh yeah I’ll definitely do the curtains then. And I don’t wanna move paskal either but he’s gonna grow out of his cage in a short amount of time. And I love the name jade!!! What type of chameleon is she?

She is a veiled, I have only had her 3 weeks. Thet told me she was 6 months old, but I wonder if she is because she is so little yet. She has already had one shedding. Don't be alarmed when this happened. I freaked out a little bit at first cuz I wasn't sure thats what was happening. I'm attaching a funny picture of that. Also, yesterday she ate a wax worm right out of my hand! I was so excited!!!

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Ok here are my responses to your review. I’m going to split this in two parts. This is a lot of info and I don’t want you overwhelmed. So take it a little at a time and ask all the questions you need. You can never ask too many.



Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - hes very handsome and looks to be in decent health which is not always the case coming from pet stores. It can take up to 2 weeks for them to settle down and get comfortable.
• Handling - good not to handle them too much, they are more of a look at pet, like fish, than one you handle every day. HOWEVER you do need to build trust with them so it’s not difficult when going to vets, checking weight, giving meds, etc.
• Feeding - silk worms and crickets are great! I’d cut the meal worms. I see you’ve already been given the feeder chart, I’ll add the gutload one here.
• Supplements - repticalcium is perfect. Make sure it does not have D3 (I think the one with your kit is good). Continue dusting bugs at every feeding with this. You need to add a multivitamin 2 times a month. Easiest schedule is 1st and 14th of each month, dust with the multivitamin instead of the calcium. Reptivite with D3 or repashy plus loD are the two recommended options. I’ll also attach photos of those.
• Watering - dripper is great. Misting time is recommended 2 min twice a day. However there is some room to play here. It all depends on your environment and humidity. Not seeing him drink is not a concern, as most people never see them drink. They are very secretive about it. So you are lucky to have seen him already!
• Fecal Description - this is how we monitor hydration. The white part you are seeing is his urates. You want white. You may also see orange or yellowish. As long as 50% or more of the urate is white, hydration is good. Parasite testing is something we really advocate for especially coming from petco. However, I know that is out of your control when you are at home with your parents still. Just keep a very very close eye for signs of parasites for now.

No questions for this part and thank you so much!!!!!!!

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Second half

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - screen cage is great, however this is going to much too small very quickly for your guy. 2x2x4 is the minimum size for an adult. Chewy.com often has sales on them. We also have several site sponsors where you can find one as well as the lighting you need.
• Lighting - unfortunatley, you have the wrong lighting as you’ve already been told. This is very very important to fix asap. You need a linear T5 HO UVB. Arcadia and reptisun are the only 2 brands that we recommend and have tested to put out the correct uvb. Also, no colored bulbs. Plain white incandescent light for heat. Light schedule is usually 12 hours on 12 hours off for both lights. You can get cheap timers that turn them off and on automatically.
• Temperature - your temps look good!
• Humidity - Humidity could be a bit higher but isn’t terrible. Aim for 40-50 day and 80-100 night time.
• Plants - pathos is perfect. Replace the fake ones asap. One bite of a plastic plant can cause big big issues.
• Placement - height is safety for these guys. The higher the better.

My questions for this one is: what’s a good way to bring up humidity besides the shower curtains? What are some others really good plants to use? And is a all glass cage with a top screen recommended?

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

She is a veiled, I have only had her 3 weeks. Thet told me she was 6 months old, but I wonder if she is because she is so little yet. She has already had one shedding. Don't be alarmed when this happened. I freaked out a little bit at first cuz I wasn't sure thats what was happening. I'm attaching a funny picture of that. Also, yesterday she ate a wax worm right out of my hand! I was so excited!!!

Still waiting for mine do shed . And she’s very pretty! Any tips for when paskal sheds? And for some reason the only way for mine to eat any of the worms is if it’s in his food dish and I’m holding it, if it’s just placed down he won’t even touch them. So that’s a win I assume?

 

[Eileen]

Still waiting for mine do shed . And she’s very pretty! Any tips for when paskal sheds? And for some reason the only way for mine to eat any of the worms is if it’s in his food dish and I’m holding it, if it’s just placed down he won’t even touch them. So that’s a win I assume?

ha! well that does sound good that he eats out a dish you are holding. you are building trust.
Jade started her shed with a white spot on the back by her leg. I thought at first it was some sort of fungus.. but the next morning it was bigger and on both sides, then as the day went on all her skin peeled off. She didn't eat that day.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

ha! well that does sound good that he eats out a dish you are holding. you are building trust.
Jade started her shed with a white spot on the back by her leg. I thought at first it was some sort of fungus.. but the next morning it was bigger and on both sides, then as the day went on all her skin peeled off. She didn't eat that day.

Yeah I can see why you would’ve freaked out, I definitely would’ve

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Second half

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - screen cage is great, however this is going to much too small very quickly for your guy. 2x2x4 is the minimum size for an adult. Chewy.com often has sales on them. We also have several site sponsors where you can find one as well as the lighting you need.
• Lighting - unfortunatley, you have the wrong lighting as you’ve already been told. This is very very important to fix asap. You need a linear T5 HO UVB. Arcadia and reptisun are the only 2 brands that we recommend and have tested to put out the correct uvb. Also, no colored bulbs. Plain white incandescent light for heat. Light schedule is usually 12 hours on 12 hours off for both lights. You can get cheap timers that turn them off and on automatically.
• Temperature - your temps look good!
• Humidity - Humidity could be a bit higher but isn’t terrible. Aim for 40-50 day and 80-100 night time.
• Plants - pathos is perfect. Replace the fake ones asap. One bite of a plastic plant can cause big big issues.
• Placement - height is safety for these guys. The higher the better.

Also what company should I buy the light from?

 

[Gloriawood]

My questions for this one is: what’s a good way to bring up humidity besides the shower curtains? What are some others really good plants to use? And is an all glass cage with a top screen recommended?

I’m in Missouri so not far from you. I have an all screen cage. I like the shower curtain because I can add to a side or take it away depending on the time of the year. Right now I have one side covered. Depending on the time of year I may have 2 covered. It gets super humid here in the summer.

A cool mist humidifier is another option that some use. Just make sure it’s cool mist and not warm. Warm can up the risk of respiratory infections. I would not recommend an all glass enclosure just because ventilation is very important and can be more difficult with these types. Your humidity is not far off, so I don’t think major changes like that are needed. You can also add in a short mist to up the humidity. Just make sure the enclosure has plenty of time to completely dry out in between. Right now I have a 10 sec mist at night to up my humidity. This summer I will likely remove that one.

I really think playing around with your misting schedule will help you solve this. It’s trial and error sometimes.


As far as plants. I will attach a list. Only use the ones that say veiled tested. Our guys tend to be more plant munchers than other species. This is not every single plant that can be used.i would recommend sticking to this list at first and then just really really research if you choose something not on this list in the future. Chameleonacademy.com and Neptune the chameleon on YouTube are fantastic resources.

You can also use just about any branches froM outside for your enclosure instead of buying a ton of fake vines. I have a mix of both in my enclosure. Just nothing with a strong smell or sap producing. Wash them with hot water and dawn soap and they are good to go.

 

[Gloriawood]

Also what company should I buy the light from?

https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ Is a site sponsor and everyone here says they are super helpful. I personally did not purchase from here but it seems to be a great option. Lighting really confused me at first so if you have trouble figuring out exactly what to buy, let us know.

 

[Gloriawood]

This one with a 6% bulb is the best of the best for uvb. The bulb is good for a year. This is the whole kit with the fixture and bulb.

https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/products/arcadia-lumenize-pro-t5-uvb-24-watt-kit.html





This is a bulb on Amazon. It’s only good for 6months and you still need a fixture.

https://a.co/d/gCV9gHM



Here is that same brand with the fixture on Amazon

https://a.co/d/fkSrLPG


These should all also be available at pet stores if that’s what you prefer. These are the only two brands that are tested to be the right level.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

I’m in Missouri so not far from you. I have an all screen cage. I like the shower curtain because I can add to a side or take it away depending on the time of the year. Right now I have one side covered. Depending on the time of year I may have 2 covered. It gets super humid here in the summer.

A cool mist humidifier is another option that some use. Just make sure it’s cool mist and not warm. Warm can up the risk of respiratory infections. I would not recommend an all glass enclosure just because ventilation is very important and can be more difficult with these types. Your humidity is not far off, so I don’t think major changes like that are needed. You can also add in a short mist to up the humidity. Just make sure the enclosure has plenty of time to completely dry out in between. Right now I have a 10 sec mist at night to up my humidity. This summer I will likely remove that one.

I really think playing around with your misting schedule will help you solve this. It’s trial and error sometimes.


As far as plants. I will attach a list. Only use the ones that say veiled tested. Our guys tend to be more plant munchers than other species. This is not every single plant that can be used.i would recommend sticking to this list at first and then just really really research if you choose something not on this list in the future. Chameleonacademy.com and Neptune the chameleon on YouTube are fantastic resources.

You can also use just about any branches froM outside for your enclosure instead of buying a ton of fake vines. I have a mix of both in my enclosure. Just nothing with a strong smell or sap producing. Wash them with hot water and dawn soap and they are good to go.

I didn’t warm mist could do that, that’s very good to know. And I’ll definitely mess with the misting times. Ucetisn will be easy to get as well so I’ll get that soon. And I’ll definitely get more plants.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ Is a site sponsor and everyone here says they are super helpful. I personally did not purchase from here but it seems to be a great option. Lighting really confused me at first so if you have trouble figuring out exactly what to buy, let us know.

Got it thank you!

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

This one with a 6% bulb is the best of the best for uvb. The bulb is good for a year. This is the whole kit with the fixture and bulb.

https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/products/arcadia-lumenize-pro-t5-uvb-24-watt-kit.html





This is a bulb on Amazon. It’s only good for 6months and you still need a fixture.

https://a.co/d/gCV9gHM



Here is that same brand with the fixture on Amazon

https://a.co/d/fkSrLPG


These should all also be available at pet stores if that’s what you prefer. These are the only two brands that are tested to be the right level.

Perfect thank you!

 

[MzLaurie]

Yes I have a total screen so I put a shower curtain on the back and one side. I don't know if this was the best way, but I just cut it to size and duct taped it in spots onto the edges of the screen on the outside. She does climb it some, but not as much as she did at first. I noticed she wanted to get up there so I added 2 sticks for her to sit up on, making sure it was the right distance from the basking light. Now thats where she goes all the time! I think it takes them a while to get used to their new home. I hate the thot of having to move her.. but I've been assured here that she'll be fine. Her name is Jade. I love Paskal.. sounds more masculine than Pastel.
I'm switching out my plastic plants too.. and ordered these from Amazon.. I hope they are as nice as they look: https://a.co/d/2dYovX4

Well that’s a great price on the plants. I suggest transplanting one into a hanging pot. That way you can rig it up higher. That is a big issue in the four foot cages. Too far from the light. Good luck with them. My problem is my apt doesn’t get much natural sun. So I have my other plants all near one window which are all doing great. So I made this the place for my Cham to hang outside of the cage.

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Well that’s a great price on the plants. I suggest transplanting one into a hanging pot. That way you can rig it up higher. That is a big issue in the four foot cages. Too far from the light. Good luck with them. My problem is my apt doesn’t get much natural sun. So I have my other plants all near one window which are all doing great. So I made this the place for my Cham to hang outside of the cage.

Oohhhhhh one day I hope I can get an area for him outside the cage, till then I gotta worry about the other things

 

[Eileen]

Well that’s a great price on the plants. I suggest transplanting one into a hanging pot. That way you can rig it up higher. That is a big issue in the four foot cages. Too far from the light. Good luck with them. My problem is my apt doesn’t get much natural sun. So I have my other plants all near one window which are all doing great. So I made this the place for my Cham to hang outside of the cage.

Right? I was so excited to get these plants. I also found a really nice Money Tree.. in the grocery store! It was $15 but I splurged. Also some Maidenhair ferns at Walmart for 5.98. I was able to divide that into 2 little pots. Right now I just have all the new plants (washed and repotted in organic soil) sitting around on the outside of the small enclosure she is still in. I am working on her new set up, it's just taking a while cuz I went back to work after being off a month. I have a Sansi grow bulb up there now so hoping it makes everything thrive. One thing I worry about with hanging the plants tho, is how close they can be to the basking lamp before they get too hot. I don't know anything about these creeping figs.. can they stand a lot of warmth and brightness? The maidenhair ferns seem to need filtered light so I have them lower down. Almost ALL of my plastic plants are out of there now except for one strand that is wrapped around the wire holding the dripper. I was so happy last night when she was snuggled down into the natural leaves of the schefflera sound asleep

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

Right? I was so excited to get these plants. I also found a really nice Money Tree.. in the grocery store! It was $15 but I splurged. Also some Maidenhair ferns at Walmart for 5.98. I was able to divide that into 2 little pots. Right now I just have all the new plants (washed and repotted in organic soil) sitting around on the outside of the small enclosure she is still in. I am working on her new set up, it's just taking a while cuz I went back to work after being off a month. I have a Sansi grow bulb up there now so hoping it makes everything thrive. One thing I worry about with hanging the plants tho, is how close they can be to the basking lamp before they get too hot. I don't know anything about these creeping figs.. can they stand a lot of warmth and brightness? The maidenhair ferns seem to need filtered light so I have them lower down. Almost ALL of my plastic plants are out of there now except for one strand that is wrapped around the wire holding the dripper. I was so happy last night when she was snuggled down into the natural leaves of the schefflera sound asleep

Ooohhhh I can’t wait to start a new enclosure , it’ll look so much better with real plants and it’ll be so much bigger. I’m thinking of getting a bigger plant possibly even a small tree for my chameleon to hang out on as well

 

[Eileen]

Ooohhhh I can’t wait to start a new enclosure , it’ll look so much better with real plants and it’ll be so much bigger. I’m thinking of getting a bigger plant possibly even a small tree for my chameleon to hang out on as well

exciting isn't it? I have today off so I'm working on mine. And yeah when I went from 3 feet high to 4 feet high.. it's a lot further up to get the plants! I tree would be a good idea!

 

[Bigbrothet1$$]

exciting isn't it? I have today off so I'm working on mine. And yeah when I went from 3 feet high to 4 feet high.. it's a lot further up to get the plants! I tree would be a good idea!

Man I can’t wait to get a taller enclosure , and I’m thinking of getting some plants to put outside so he can climb outside during the summer (in a controlled environment if ). Do you think that would be a good idea?

 

[Eileen]

Man I can’t wait to get a taller enclosure , and I’m thinking of getting some plants to put outside so he can climb outside during the summer (in a controlled environment if ). Do you think that would be a good idea?

I am totally new to all of this so I can't give any advice.. but I've heard other folks here talking about it. I don't really have a good enclosed place to set like that.. but it would be fun!