Hello. This is my first post. I would like to start off by saying, yes I did a LOT of research before buying this chameleon so no I'm not just some impulse buyer. I actually also own a ball python, bearded dragon, and leopard gecko. I recently bought a chameleon for my little brother for his birthday about 5 days ago. During the 5 days I noticed that it slept most of the day, and because of that it didn't eat much so I'm guessing it died of starvation. I'm wondering why it slept so much. It was only a baby, I'm guessing about 1 or 2 weeks old. I got the warranty and I'm going to get a new one tomorrow, but before I do I want to know what I can do to prevent this. I had the humidity, temperature, and everything else at a good level. I had a dripper for him and misted his cage for about a minute 3 or 4 times a day. There were some crickets in there jumping around and I tried to present food to him but he didn't eat it. I didn't handle him at all, besides blowing on him a little this morning because he looked sick.
Chameleon passed away after 5 days
- Thread starter kanyewest
- Start date
DakotaB
New Member
I highly doubt that it died from starvation after only 5 days. Unless it wasn't eating before hand. More than likely it had something else going on with it.
If your going to be getting another I would recommend disinfecting the enclosure just to be on the safe side.
If they are that young crickets are going to be too big for it. So just make sure the food is size appropriate. Also how large is the enclosure?
If your going to be getting another I would recommend disinfecting the enclosure just to be on the safe side.
If they are that young crickets are going to be too big for it. So just make sure the food is size appropriate. Also how large is the enclosure?
djfishygillz
Avid Member
Pinhead crickets and 1/8 inch are typically perfect for hatchlings, they gutload much better then fruit flies or other small feeders.
Also hatchling chameleons need to eat every day multiple times a day so over 5 days a baby that young would be surprising if it actually lived without food for that long.
djfishygillz
Avid Member
Yeah I second this. A first time chameleon owner should never buy anything under 3 months old.
Chameleons can be challenging enough as adults for a first timer but babies are much more fragile especially when only 1 or 2 weeks old.
Psychobunny
Avid Member
Please buy your next cham from one of our forum sponsors, I would not trust that pet store.
No one sells chams that young, and sound like it was sick already when you got it.
It may cost a little more $$ with the shipping, but you will have peace of mind knowing that you are getting a nice healthy cham.
FL Chams always has nice veileds for sale, that is where I got Sméagol
Or pick from the list of breeders.
No one sells chams that young, and sound like it was sick already when you got it.
It may cost a little more $$ with the shipping, but you will have peace of mind knowing that you are getting a nice healthy cham.
FL Chams always has nice veileds for sale, that is where I got Sméagol
Or pick from the list of breeders.
pssh
Avid Member
Be sure to disinfect the cage with hydrogen peroxide (40 volume peroxide from a beauty supply store will kill parasites and what not.) A 2 month old veiled will be much more likely to thrive in your care than a hatchling. I would also suggest filling out the how to ask for help form just so other members can take a look at what you are/will be doing to make sure everything will go smoothly and set you up for the best chances of success.
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