Cham always brown

[ali9021]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male veiled 3-4 months old
Handling -not yet
Feeding - crickets and superworms so far
Supplements - calcium dusting every day without D3
Watering - misting at least 3x use ice cubes for dripping
Fecal Description - dark brown with white tip looks normal everyday
History - bought him at petsmart over a week ago

Cage Info:
Cage Type - medium screen cage chameleon kit from reptibreeze (zoo med)
Lighting - 5.0 UVB plus heating bulb (came in the kit)
Temperature - digital thermometer reads 68-70 not near basking and heating light. temps drop to 65 at night
Humidity - I have nothing to measure humidity
Plants - I have some hibiscus branches in a glass, vines that came with kit and fake vines hanging. Also an artificial orchid from my room
Placement - cage is on a table in the corner of my very quiet room, no traffic
Location - Boston, MA

Current Problem - My cham is never green except when sleeping

 

[Dragon1516]

Basking temp? And how long have you had him?

 

[carol5208]

Your basking area should be in low to mid 80's. That is too cold. Use a higher wattage bulb. Edit:Oh sorry that is your ambient.

 

[Dragon1516]

Your basking area should be in low to mid 80's. That is too cold. Use a higher wattage bulb.

Didn't clarify basking temp.

 

[ali9021]

well the temp reading is NOT near the basking light

 

[Dragon1516]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male veiled 3-4 months old
Handling -not yet
Feeding - crickets and superworms so far
Supplements - calcium dusting every day without D3
Watering - misting at least 3x use ice cubes for dripping
Fecal Description - dark brown with white tip looks normal everyday
History - bought him at petsmart over a week ago

Cage Info:
Cage Type - medium screen cage chameleon kit from reptibreeze (zoo med)
Lighting - 5.0 UVB plus heating bulb (came in the kit)
Temperature - digital thermometer reads 68-70 not near basking and heating light. temps drop to 65 at night
Humidity - I have nothing to measure humidity
Plants - I have some hibiscus branches in a glass, vines that came with kit and fake vines hanging. Also an artificial orchid from my room
Placement - cage is on a table in the corner of my very quiet room, no traffic
Location - Boston, MA

Current Problem - My cham is never green except when sleeping

Pictures of set up would help too.

 

[Dragon1516]

well the temp reading is NOT near the basking light

You need to know what your basking temp is. If you have to get another temp gauge then you need to that is very important when owning any reptile. You need to do that ASAP and pics of your cage when you can. The basking temp may not be the problem but if you don't know what it is it very well can be.

 

[carol5208]

You have not had him all too long. He could be settling in still. I remember one of my friends on here who got a panther and she was complaining he was Brown for weeks.

 

[Dragon1516]

You have not had him all too long. He could be settling in still. I remember one of my friends on here who got a panther and she was complaining he was Brown for weeks.

This is very possible as well. But i would really figure out what your basking temp is because if it is too hot or too cold that could be what is stressing him out as well. Best way is a temp gun you can find them for cheap and it helps you temp all areas of your enclosure.

 

[ali9021]

Basking temp? And how long have you had him?

I've had him for a little over a week

 

[ali9021]

I took the basking temp. under the light it read 98 F. I know I need more foliage but I didn't want to stress him out

 

[Graves923]

Well, theres the problem. Not a lot of hiding spots for the little guy. Fill that cage up with vines and foliage. Pothos are a cheap and hardy live plant you can put in there or even figure out how to hang. It'll even give him something to munch on.

 

[carol5208]

Didn't clarify basking temp.

I know I edited my post right away.

 

[carol5208]

Yes agreed, cage is WAY too bare! Plants, vines, branches, etc need to be added with a horizontal sturdy branch placed under the basking light about 8-10 inches down

 

[carol5208]

98 is way too hot, but you need to measure it where your chameleon will be feeling the heat. That is why you need to set up a branch and check the basking spot on the heated branch. That is the temp you chameleon will feel. It does not even look like he can get under the lights. Make sure you do not put the branch too close as they can burn, especially on their casques.

 

[Dragon1516]

I took the basking temp. under the light it read 98 F. I know I need more foliage but I didn't want to stress him out

Oh gosh yes follow what the people above said it is way to bare. it should look more like this. And you need alot more branches for him as well. The temp is way to high follow guidelines from people above.

 

[ali9021]

Okay I bought a nice big Burgundy Robusta Ficus or Ficus Retusa. I put rocks in to cover the soil .I have been reading about ficus and it says sap could be harmful? Ugh I'm getting aggravated. My boyfriend told me to take him back to the store but I don't want to (meaning the cham). Thanks for all your help

 

[Dragon1516]

Okay I bought a nice big Burgundy Robusta Ficus or Ficus Retusa. I put rocks in to cover the soil .I have been reading about ficus and it says sap could be harmful? Ugh I'm getting aggravated. My boyfriend told me to take him back to the store but I don't want to (meaning the cham). Thanks for all your help

And yes it can If i where you i would have gotten an umbrella tree or a phothos unless you have the right lights the leaves will fall off this sun loving tree.

 

[nightanole]

Okay I bought a nice big Burgundy Robusta Ficus or Ficus Retusa. I put rocks in to cover the soil .I have been reading about ficus and it says sap could be harmful? Ugh I'm getting aggravated. My boyfriend told me to take him back to the store but I don't want to (meaning the cham). Thanks for all your help

Florida is covered in ficus, as long as its not damaged and the cham doesnt rub its eyes all the time you will be fine.

 

[Nursemaia]

A ficus needs lots of light, it's going to die unless you get a plant bulb