zygodactylenvy
New Member
Hi all,
Noticed the request for a newbie form often in these threads so here you go:
Chameleon Info:
◦ Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Male veiled, likely 6 to 8 weeks judging by size. Have had it four days.
◦ Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Only to move it from the transport container to the enclosure.
◦ Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Crickets am and pm. First couple days dusted until they had time to gut load. He's eating about 4 each time. Have been putting meal worms in but he isn't eating those.
◦ Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Have only dusted the first few at this point. Using National Geographic Reptile Calcium Supplement powder with Vit. D.
◦ Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Have set up a drip system in the tank. I have seen him drink on multiple occasions. Misting twice daily for 1 to 2 min at a time.
◦ Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Feces seems normal. White with dark colour mixture, roughly 1/10th of an inch in length. I've never parasite tested him.
◦ History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
No other previous history.
Cage Info:
◦ Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Screened cage. Currently in smaller enclosure (16"x16"x30").
◦ Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
ZooMed lighting. Both UVA and UVB lights. Set on a timer for a 12 hour on/off cycle.
◦ Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Have a dual thermometer/hygrometer in the enclosure. Upper tank peaks at around 85 F during the day and drops to about 70 - 75F at night.
◦ Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Humidity hovers around 50%. Maintained with misting, live plant, drip system, house environment. (I don't have an automatic mister if that's what this is asking.)
◦ Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Yes, a mix of live and plastic plants. There is a live gerbera daisy in there currently as well as multiple plastic vines and branches.
◦ Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
The enclosure is in a low traffic area of the house. No fans or air vents close by. It is roughly 3' off the ground (mid cage is about my shoulder height).
◦ Location - Where are you geographically located?
I'm in southern Ontario.
Current Problem - Not a concern as much as looking for an estimated time length. Things are going well, cham is adjusting nicely to his new environment but at this point has no interest in mealworms which I was under the impression were a fan favorite for them. I do have 15 years of reptile experience though this is my first cham. I have done the research (for the last 15 years...working up to feeling comfortable enough to try one out) and I'm just wondering if anyone else found that they will avoid certain foods during the adjustment period. I know he'll need a week or two before I can get a really good idea of his 'normal'. I'm debating leaving out the meal worms though and just giving the crickets. Thoughts? Keep trying the worms? Wait until he's adjusted? I've attached a picture of him and his enclosure currently.
Noticed the request for a newbie form often in these threads so here you go:
Chameleon Info:
◦ Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Male veiled, likely 6 to 8 weeks judging by size. Have had it four days.
◦ Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Only to move it from the transport container to the enclosure.
◦ Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Crickets am and pm. First couple days dusted until they had time to gut load. He's eating about 4 each time. Have been putting meal worms in but he isn't eating those.
◦ Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Have only dusted the first few at this point. Using National Geographic Reptile Calcium Supplement powder with Vit. D.
◦ Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Have set up a drip system in the tank. I have seen him drink on multiple occasions. Misting twice daily for 1 to 2 min at a time.
◦ Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Feces seems normal. White with dark colour mixture, roughly 1/10th of an inch in length. I've never parasite tested him.
◦ History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
No other previous history.
Cage Info:
◦ Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Screened cage. Currently in smaller enclosure (16"x16"x30").
◦ Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
ZooMed lighting. Both UVA and UVB lights. Set on a timer for a 12 hour on/off cycle.
◦ Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Have a dual thermometer/hygrometer in the enclosure. Upper tank peaks at around 85 F during the day and drops to about 70 - 75F at night.
◦ Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Humidity hovers around 50%. Maintained with misting, live plant, drip system, house environment. (I don't have an automatic mister if that's what this is asking.)
◦ Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Yes, a mix of live and plastic plants. There is a live gerbera daisy in there currently as well as multiple plastic vines and branches.
◦ Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
The enclosure is in a low traffic area of the house. No fans or air vents close by. It is roughly 3' off the ground (mid cage is about my shoulder height).
◦ Location - Where are you geographically located?
I'm in southern Ontario.
Current Problem - Not a concern as much as looking for an estimated time length. Things are going well, cham is adjusting nicely to his new environment but at this point has no interest in mealworms which I was under the impression were a fan favorite for them. I do have 15 years of reptile experience though this is my first cham. I have done the research (for the last 15 years...working up to feeling comfortable enough to try one out) and I'm just wondering if anyone else found that they will avoid certain foods during the adjustment period. I know he'll need a week or two before I can get a really good idea of his 'normal'. I'm debating leaving out the meal worms though and just giving the crickets. Thoughts? Keep trying the worms? Wait until he's adjusted? I've attached a picture of him and his enclosure currently.
P) but also from the UVB.
