First time Chameleon carer...........

L

LP1985

New Member
hey guys :hi:

ive just got my first Chameleon after having a few Gecko's and currently have a Bearded dragon.
Anyway, leaving the pet shop the assistant said not to turn his light on for the first day and not to put any food in with him. i don't doubt this man but always like to get a 2nd opinion.

i have a veiled chameleon and he's worked his way to the top on these leaves and hasnt budged for a while, is this normal, what else should i look out for

thanks in advanced;)
 
i'd say put the light on he needs his uvb and basking. i wouldn't feed him till the next day so he can chill out for a bit. also make sure you water him cause some pet stores only do that once a day and also reuse the same uvb's. good luck yeah they also like being on top hiding so thats normal. peace love and drugs!!!
 
?????? I would decidedly disagree.............. Lights a yes........ food a double yes........ Im not an expert but that doesn't seem rooted in reality to me
 
Im pretty sure the general rule of thumb is that you chameleon may not eat for the first day or two. It is getting adjusted to its new surroundings. So if you want to feed him go for it. Just keep your eye out. If he doesnt eat remove the crickets and dont be alarmed. Its relatively normal i believe.
 
Ekproject said:
Im pretty sure the general rule of thumb is that you chameleon may not eat for the first day or two. It is getting adjusted to its new surroundings. So if you want to feed him go for it. Just keep your eye out. If he doesnt eat remove the crickets and dont be alarmed. Its relatively normal.
Click to expand...

I second that... My newest one took three days... Now eats 20 a day :)
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. So you have your first veiled? Now you are hooked, but then we all are on here.:D I would save from years of experience that your chameleon should have light, both heat and UVB, water and yes I would offer food.
I am not taking away from the person you bought the chameleon from but often they have a number of reptiles and are unaware of the very specific needs chameleons have.
Just hang with us and we will help you along.
 
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allencg101 said:
i'd say put the light on he needs his uvb and basking. i wouldn't feed him till the next day so he can chill out for a bit. also make sure you water him cause some pet stores only do that once a day and also reuse the same uvb's. good luck yeah they also like being on top hiding so thats normal. peace love and drugs!!!
Click to expand...

wat do u mean by water him, spray him with water
 
And from me. Lights yes. No doubt. Water yes, warm misting once he's basked a bit. Might as well offer food. Mine both ate first day. It will help him settle in if he eats, but don't worry if he takes a few days.
Edit, yes spray him. set your mister as fine as it will go. don't want to shoot him with water, just get him wet.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
laurie said:
Hello and welcome to the forum. So you have your first veiled? Now you are hooked, but then we all are on here.:D I would save from years of experience that your chameleon should have light, both heat and UVB, water and yes I would offer food.
I am not taking away from the person you bought the chameleon from but often they have a number of reptiles and are unaware of the very specific needs chameleons have.
Just hang with us and we will help you along.
Click to expand...

nice 1:D

really looking foward to the next few months, seeing how he grows
 
nope all lights off at night, general thing is 12 hours on and 12 hours off

at night the temps can be as low as the 60's, and he should be fine without any source for heat
 
LP1985 said:
nice 1:D

really looking foward to the next few months, seeing how he grows
Click to expand...

take lots of pics, they grow fast! I've never heard of withholding lights, food or water for a new addition... As others have said he may not eat for a day or 2, but I'd still offer it , and water and lights for sure.

That advice sounds suspect and pet stores often are clueless about chameleons, so imo read up on your chameleon here, make sure you know and have proper temperatures and humidity, and know about gut loading and supplementing. you can find all that info here on the forums and blogs, and if you have any questions be sure to ask, I'm sure someone around here will know.
 
Stanly said:
take lots of pics, they grow fast! I've never heard of withholding lights, food or water for a new addition... As others have said he may not eat for a day or 2, but I'd still offer it , and water and lights for sure.

That advice sounds suspect and pet stores often are clueless about chameleons, so imo read up on your chameleon here, make sure you know and have proper temperatures and humidity, and know about gut loading and supplementing. you can find all that info here on the forums and blogs, and if you have any questions be sure to ask, I'm sure someone around here will know.
Click to expand...

ive got small locust's. how many should i put in there and should i put water in a dish or just spray the tank as the humidity seems fine??
 
thanks very much for the blog and the video

im sure im just worrying a little over nothing

thanks again
 
I can understand the reasoning behind keeping the lights off that first day.

Would kind of give the lizard a chance to settle in without having to deal with being moved to a new environment while operating at full speed/full stress. Then it gets a good nights rest and wakes up to a new day in the new environment without having to cope with being plunked down into a new situation.

When I have gotten lizards in bad shape in, I've done something similar- giving meds and force feeding in the evenings immediately before lights out so they sleep the stress off and wake up in a new environment without having to deal with being disturbed and stressed after being messed with for part of a day.

So- I wouldn't necessarily take it as bad advice. Maybe the guy knows his stuff, maybe he doesn't, I'd consider it not a bad idea and neutral as far as forming an opinion about the shop's competence.
 
I'm kinda piggybacking on this post but it might seem relevant. Does the trend go with older chams that come to new homes that they don't eat well the first few days?
 
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