Baby Veiled Chameleon...is she ok?
- Thread starter FirstChami
- Start date
FirstChami
New Member
Hmmmm...I had all the info....so glad I copied it before posting in case it deleted it! Here it is again...
If I am reading correctly then it is necessary I include the following info, please note I purchased my chameleon from a pet shop and they had no idea what gender or age my chami was:
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Current Problem -
Firstly, I also have a traditional mesh cage for chameleons that was recommended when I purchased (forced actually...as in I can't get the chami unless I get that cage) I had wanted to purchase a glass with mesh cage initially since she is so tiny and I wanted to be able to maintain humidity.
Long story short, a little while after purchase I had issues with my chami being dehydrated, her eye was sunken and her crate was yellow, despite repeated misting daily (about every 4 hours) I could not maintain a resonable humidity so I went back and got the glass mesh combo and moved her....she has been much happier since then and her crate is back to white...poop is firm not runny.
I am concerned because my chami has barely opened her eyes for a couple of days...there is LOTS of water around and crate seems normal but she seems to be walking around with closed eyes. She is displaying the dual colouring instead of just plain green like she usually does. She seems a little unsteady but it is hard to tell. She is sleeping in ever increasingly weird positions like hanging by her tail and one foot on the branch with all others dangling, actually dancing is the wrong term....she has them out, almost like she is reaching but she is sleeping like that. Little hands open and all. She is still eating and there's lots of juicy plump crickets about but I never see her drink...however her crate seems normal. I am attaching a pic so you can see. One pic is the whole cage so you can see it relative to her size which as I said she has grown but is still little. She is about a little less than 2 inches without her tail, when I got her she was little over an inch long without her tail. She sort of looks thin to me but she easts well enough. I'm sorry of confused really...I am trying to maintain optimal environment for her in there.
The other pic is a closeup of her sleeping. And lastly the picture of her all coloured up...not sure what I am doing wrong?!
If I am reading correctly then it is necessary I include the following info, please note I purchased my chameleon from a pet shop and they had no idea what gender or age my chami was:
Chameleon Info:
- Your Chameleon - Veiled Chameleon, I think it is a female based on lack of spurs, no idea of her age, but she has grown a fair bit since I got her, I have had her for almost a month.
- Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Almost never, exception is when she happily climbs on the back of my hand during misting.
- Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? I feed her mainly crickets dusted in calcium daily, but once a week I dust in vitamins instead of calcium. I add some mealworms occasionally but she seems to prefer the gut loaded crickets. What amount? She averages about 8 a day. What is the schedule? I feed her each morning when I turn the lights on. How are you gut-loading your feeders? I am feeding the crickets turnip greens, carrot, potato and apple.
- Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? M-Sat Zoo Med Repti Calcium Sun Zoo Med Reptivite
- Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I mist about 3-4 times daily until I can see water droplets on all surfaces and leaves, about 1-3 minutes. I maintain between 60-80% humidity
- 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?) Glass with screen top and on one side What are the dimensions? 24 inches long, 15 inches tall and 12 inches deep.
- Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? I am using Zoo Med dual light with a UBV bulb and a heat bulb I turn lights on for 12 hours off for 12.
- Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Cage maintains a temp of 80 - 90 degrees, doesn't drop any lower than 80 overnight and never goes higher than 92.
- Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? I have a hygrometer and I mist 3-4 times daily to maintain humidity, I have coconut fibre and soil in the bottom of the cage for the golden pothos plant I have in there.
- Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes, Golden Pothos decent size for my tiny chami. I have a fake plant in the corner she seems to like and several branches that serve as climbing /ramps.
- 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? Cage is located on my desk in a quiet area away from vents or droughts close to an interior wall, no windows. Not high traffic. Cage is 45" off the ground on a stable surface.
- Location - Where are you geographically located? I am located in New Market Alabama.
Current Problem -
Firstly, I also have a traditional mesh cage for chameleons that was recommended when I purchased (forced actually...as in I can't get the chami unless I get that cage) I had wanted to purchase a glass with mesh cage initially since she is so tiny and I wanted to be able to maintain humidity.
Long story short, a little while after purchase I had issues with my chami being dehydrated, her eye was sunken and her crate was yellow, despite repeated misting daily (about every 4 hours) I could not maintain a resonable humidity so I went back and got the glass mesh combo and moved her....she has been much happier since then and her crate is back to white...poop is firm not runny.
I am concerned because my chami has barely opened her eyes for a couple of days...there is LOTS of water around and crate seems normal but she seems to be walking around with closed eyes. She is displaying the dual colouring instead of just plain green like she usually does. She seems a little unsteady but it is hard to tell. She is sleeping in ever increasingly weird positions like hanging by her tail and one foot on the branch with all others dangling, actually dancing is the wrong term....she has them out, almost like she is reaching but she is sleeping like that. Little hands open and all. She is still eating and there's lots of juicy plump crickets about but I never see her drink...however her crate seems normal. I am attaching a pic so you can see. One pic is the whole cage so you can see it relative to her size which as I said she has grown but is still little. She is about a little less than 2 inches without her tail, when I got her she was little over an inch long without her tail. She sort of looks thin to me but she easts well enough. I'm sorry of confused really...I am trying to maintain optimal environment for her in there.
The other pic is a closeup of her sleeping. And lastly the picture of her all coloured up...not sure what I am doing wrong?!
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Welcome @FirstChami im sorry your little girl is not feeling well . I do think she needs to see a vet . Be tested for parasites and respiratory infection . I'm not a vet I can't tell you what's wrong . She does not looks well at all . Can you get better pictures of enclosure . It looks to me like a bearded dragon enclosure. Theirs nothing wrong with glass bit you have to have the right set up . I don't hi k that is . Let's see if we can get some other help . @Andee , @kinyonga can either available ?
FirstChami
New Member
Thank you so much for your reply Kristen, the problem I have is that I live in the country and none of our vets here are experienced with reptiles it seems... =(
FirstChami
New Member
Thank you so much for your reply! I am sorry, I am new and going off the information I was provided which says:
Humidity 50-80%
Day Area Cool - 70-80 degrees
Day Basking Spot 90-100 for veiled
Night 65-70
I think maybe my night temps are a bit high according to this? Can you please let me know correct temperatures for a veiled chameleon?
Thanks, Jen =)
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Would you drive to get to one ?
FirstChami
New Member
Oh of course! But I haven't found one even in Huntsville...
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Ok you looked though the vets thread here ?
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
There's nothing wrong with glass when used properly. That's an enclosure meant for a bearded dragon. Her set up is all wrong. There's no air flow and I see you're using substrate. Your temps are too high for a baby and for a female. It's too barren and you need to go back to the screen enclosure ASAP and review the enclosure thread and the care sheets immediately because as of right now she is gravely ill and you'll be lucky if she lives.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Oh Yay your outa your cave !!. @FirstChami @Nursemaia is amazing your lucky she jumped on . I will leave you in her much more capable hands than I . Best of luck .
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
I did not say I was staying out of my hermit Hut. I was more coming out to angrily shake my fist.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm wondering what kinda things are kept in the hermit Hut . Shake away !!.I did not say I was staying out of my hermit Hut. I was more coming out to angrily shake my fist.
Your chameleon is definitely very sick. It needs help now...quickly...now...good Reptile vet ASAP.
The following is my opinion on care for a chameleon in a glass cage for
The temperatures are too high...should be low 80's F for a female that young.
It should be eating more appropriate sized crickets at that age gutloaded with a wide assortment of greens and veggies and a bit of fruit and dusted properly too. (At sexual maturity for females you need to feed less.)
I would recommend using a dripper...but then you need drainage. The lights should be across one end of the cage to allow for air flow.
I'm not a fan of substrate.
You need more cover and branches too.
Good luck...
The following is my opinion on care for a chameleon in a glass cage for
The temperatures are too high...should be low 80's F for a female that young.
It should be eating more appropriate sized crickets at that age gutloaded with a wide assortment of greens and veggies and a bit of fruit and dusted properly too. (At sexual maturity for females you need to feed less.)
I would recommend using a dripper...but then you need drainage. The lights should be across one end of the cage to allow for air flow.
I'm not a fan of substrate.
You need more cover and branches too.
Good luck...
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
You mean things besides chams
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes bugs obviously
FirstChami
New Member
Thank you all for your help and advice. As per nursemaia's opinion I have moved her back into her enclosure and misted it well to try to maintain humidity. Temp is currently 78.6 degrees. I have no substrate, have moved lights to one side and set up cool and warm areas.
I am trying to find a local reptile vet who is open Saturday as per Kristen and Kinyonga's advice.
Here is a picture of her set up enclosure. I am trying to find a pot so I can put the golden pothos in there but I was told to move her asap so that is what I have done.
I know I am new to this and making the more experienced members very mad, I am sorry, I am doing the best that I can and truly trying to help my cham.
Kinyonga, i am feeding her small crickets gut loaded with carrot, apple, turnip greens, kale and potato as that is what was recommended to me. I have tried putting turnip greens and kale in there for her to eat but she doesn't eat it. I have tried putting fruit in there too but she only eats the crickets. I have been scared to put too many things in there as I am not sure what is safe. I read about what plants to get so they would be fine for her. I read kale, turnip greens and apples as well as blueberries and banana and cantaloupe are good and have put these all in her cage at different times but she has never touched them.
I am uploading a pic of her larger enclosure so I can get more advice. Away from vents, pets, traffic and close to an internal wall for temperature stability.
Thank you,
I am trying to find a local reptile vet who is open Saturday as per Kristen and Kinyonga's advice.
Here is a picture of her set up enclosure. I am trying to find a pot so I can put the golden pothos in there but I was told to move her asap so that is what I have done.
I know I am new to this and making the more experienced members very mad, I am sorry, I am doing the best that I can and truly trying to help my cham.
Kinyonga, i am feeding her small crickets gut loaded with carrot, apple, turnip greens, kale and potato as that is what was recommended to me. I have tried putting turnip greens and kale in there for her to eat but she doesn't eat it. I have tried putting fruit in there too but she only eats the crickets. I have been scared to put too many things in there as I am not sure what is safe. I read about what plants to get so they would be fine for her. I read kale, turnip greens and apples as well as blueberries and banana and cantaloupe are good and have put these all in her cage at different times but she has never touched them.
I am uploading a pic of her larger enclosure so I can get more advice. Away from vents, pets, traffic and close to an internal wall for temperature stability.
Thank you,
FirstChami
New Member
Thanks Kristen!
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think it's awesome you moved her and are trying to do what's right by her. Since it's the end of the summer you may find it hard to find appropriate life plants for her at the nursery. What you can do is get some branches from the outside and go to the local craft store and get some cheap garland and fill up her cage with that until it looks like a jungle. Her temp should be about 82 and the humidity will be easier to keep up with the more stuff you put in there. I would do 3 long misting the day and it's okay if the humidity drops in between you actually want it to dry out in between sessions. I don't know if she will make it or not even if you do take her to a vet but in all honesty everyone of us here killed a lizard or two when we first started keeping reptiles.
