Why does he want out?

[Rgut]

Hello!
Although I am new to posting I have been following the forums for a while now. I don't have a large issue just kind of a general question.

Why does he rarely stop moving?

Why does my chameleon run to the cage door when I walk in the room?

My chameleon is non stop all day, climbing from top to bottom all day. He either escapes when I open his cage to feed him or jumps on my hand with no hesitation. I rarely get hissed at and he loves climbing on me. Oh and good luck getting him back in!

Veiled male chameleon about 5 months old
Every single day ( related to my question )
Crickets gut loaded and silk worms
Calcium and calcium d3 about once a month
Watering includes mistings 3-4 times a day, ice cubes on cage, and he loves to drink from a syringe

16"x16"x30" and on my way to adding another cage
2 bulbs one basking bulb and another heat and UVB light for the rest of the cage
Temp is around 80-90 low to high
Humidity is around 70-80
It is in a basment with low traffic and perfect temperature for sleeping


By no means am I complaining! This is all just amazing. I just want to make sure i am not shortening his life by handling him and make sure he is happy in his home when I am not there to take him out.

Thank you all

 

[crocky]

I am certainly no expert but IMO the cage is way too small. I moved my panther over at 3.5 months from a 18x18x36 to a 24x24x48 and now that he has settled in even though I know this will house him his entire life I still feel like it will be too small in the next year.

Veilds also need larger cages if I am not mistaken. Hopefully others with more experience will chime in.

 

[crocky]

Also when you say low to high as far as temp is 80 the coolest part of the cage?

 

[Carrie Anne]

My male veiled does the same thing and he is going to be 7months old. I consider myself lucky that he is this friendly considering some veileds not so friendly temperaments and I figure its just because I spoil him rotten. I notice you said calcium and calcium D3 once a month. I hope you are giving him plain calcium w/o D3 at every feeding and he should get calcium D3 2x a month along with a multivitamin 2x a month as well. There is a great veiled chameleon care sheet in the blog section https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/

 

[Rgut]

I am adding another 16x16x30 cage onto the one I have tomorrow. I figured that might be the problem. And Sorry the temp at the bottom of the cage is about 75 with plant shade.

 

[Rgut]

My goodness that care sheet is perfect! Ad correct. Regular calcium everyday and d3 once a month.

 

[Barb]

I have an 11 month old male veiled. 24x24x6 foot tall enclosure. All temps and humidity are right on. Just got that corrected the other day, with the help of forum members. My Cham does the same thing, except coming out. He wants to, moves around all day long, is always going to the door of the cage and the second I open the door, he starts heading over. I had started to free roam him on a couple occasions. I'm sure that's why he wants out all the time. I'm guessing on mine, and guessing that yours is doing it for pretty much the same reasons.

 

[dom1959]

i think that high level of activity is pretty healthy, jmo.
seems you are prolly doing a lot right and have a
cham that is well acclimated.
the more i free range the more minion wants out also.

 

[carol5208]

I am certainly no expert but IMO the cage is way too small. I moved my panther over at 3.5 months from a 18x18x36 to a 24x24x48 and now that he has settled in even though I know this will house him his entire life I still feel like it will be too small in the next year.

Veilds also need larger cages if I am not mistaken. Hopefully others with more experience will chime in.

I think it depends on the size of your chameleon. I have a close to 4 month old panther who I consider small for his age. I never thought I would keep him in a 16 X 16 X 30. I had a 36 X 30 X 18 set up for his arrival and when I saw how small he was I decided on the smaller one. I have the other one for when he grows and then I also have a 48 X 24 X 24 for his final cage. I really think it depends on size. My chameleon will not cup feed so far so I kinda find it necessary for him to able to find the food and stuff. JMO

 

[crocky]

You are so right Carol. It does depend on size. When I read 5 months old I just automatically thought bigger cage not thinking that sometimes a 5 month old can vary so much in sizes. It is not the age but the size.
Thanks for clarifying that