Advice

[cham_queen]

Hi everyone!
I am a new cham owner that is a 3 month male juvenile. For a cham he is very social and does like to be help quite often but there were a few things I was hoping the community could help me answer!
1. is it okay for my cham to be eating about 10 mealworms per day (5 in the morning and 5 at 7pm ish)
a. if not please leave suggestions and what to do if he isn't eating a full day
2. How should I handle his shedding in his tank and should I help him with anything while going through the process
3. After handling him he leaves lots of red scratches on my hands and arms if anyone knows why this happens
4. What vegetables are fruits are best to feed
5. Why is it that when I try to hold him he sometimes gets scared and leans to one side
Thank you guys so much for the help! I don't have anyone in my area to turn to (not even the pet store) so honestly any advice to anything is so so helpful thank you so so much!

 

[janjan20]

Hi and welcome! I can answer these questions for you but I would highly recommend having a full husbandry review just based off the questions you posted.

1. is it okay for my cham to be eating about 10 mealworms per day (5 in the morning and 5 at 7pm ish)
a. if not please leave suggestions and what to do if he isn't eating a full day
Meal worms are not an ideal staple feeder for chameleons. I would get crickets, roaches, or silkworms to have as staple feeders (most common feeders). Instead of mealworms, I would get superworms but only provide them as a treat. Superworms are fatty but they are eaiser to digest than mealworms. As far as when to feed, first thing in the morning is best. They use the heat to help digest their food. Young chameleons can eat 10-12 (or more) small feeders a day as they are growing pretty rapidly during this time.

2. How should I handle his shedding in his tank and should I help him with anything while going through the process
Chameleons are dry shedders, so do not mist directly. They will typically do a full body shed when they are young. Optimal humidity and husbandry will help in this process as well. The humidity should be between 40-50ish.

3. After handling him he leaves lots of red scratches on my hands and arms if anyone knows why this happens
This is normal, not sure why it happens by your skin should acclimate.

4. What vegetables are fruits are best to feed
No veggies or fruits, they are insectivores so they don't require it. If you have a veiled chameleon, they eat plants so make sure you have plants that are on the safe list.

5. Why is it that when I try to hold him he sometimes gets scared and leans to one side
Chameleons are not social creatures and can become scared if you stare directly at them (my experience with my chameleons). When they lean, they try to look like a stick and blend in so you can't see them. If you find this happening more often than not, I would just let them chill in the enclosure. These little guys are susceptible to stress, and they can hide it well.

I will post the full husbandry list and other resource material. The husbandry form, copy and paste it to fill it out (as much detail as possible). Please provide pictures of the entire enclosure with lights and of course your chameleon!

Thank you guys so much for the help! I don't have anyone in my area to turn to (not even the pet store) so honestly any advice to anything is so so helpful thank you so so much!

 

[janjan20]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• 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?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

Other great resources to check out are the https://chameleonacademy.com/ and https://www.neptunethechameleon.com/.