First time Veiled Chameleon owner needs help spoiling his Yoshi

[Bitfly]

Hi everyone.

I am excited to be a new father of a very cute Veiled Chameleon named Yoshi.

I've done lots of research but I still have some remaining questions if anyone can help me out.

I'd like to give him the best conditions I can and I don't mind spending the money to do so.

1) On his side behind his arms the skin looks a bit cracked/scales with black skin in the pit of the crack. It is minor but I am wondering if this is a concern.

2) I read a lot of conflicting information about the bulbs. I got a Zoo Med Mini combo deep dome. The basking bulb is one of those red bulbs and the UVB is a Repti Glo 5.0. Some say the CFL's are bad. Some say they are ok now. Since he spends all of his time at the top close to the bulbs will this CFL do the trick?

3) I am currently using a water fountain but I know they are not good. I am going to invest in a Mistking. I read though that they don't' like water sprayed on them though. Will he be ok with this thing blasting him with water a few times a day?

4) Would it be ok to replace the red heat bulb with a standard clear incandescent light? I don't like the look of the red one.

5) what is the best way to get him to eat vegetables? I put them in a small bowl and he doesn't seem to care too much.

6) I mist by hand about 5 times a day but I haven't seen him drink yet. Should I be worried?

7) I was told he was a male but I can't be sure. I understand you can tell by the back feet. Can anyone confirm his sex for me?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[camimom]

Hi everyone.

I am excited to be a new father of a very cute Veiled Chameleon named Yoshi.

I've done lots of research but I still have some remaining questions if anyone can help me out.

I'd like to give him the best conditions I can and I don't mind spending the money to do so.

1) On his side behind his arms the skin looks a bit cracked/scales with black skin in the pit of the crack. It is minor but I am wondering if this is a concern.The black is just coloring, no worries, all veileds have it.

2) I read a lot of conflicting information about the bulbs. I got a Zoo Med Mini combo deep dome. The basking bulb is one of those red bulbs and the UVB is a Repti Glo 5.0. Some say the CFL's are bad. Some say they are ok now. Since he spends all of his time at the top close to the bulbs will this CFL do the trick? The new cfls are fine, i use them on my chams, and have no problems. but the red light should go. a regular house bulb is fine. just get one that will set your basking temp at around 83.

3) I am currently using a water fountain but I know they are not good. I am going to invest in a Mistking. I read though that they don't' like water sprayed on them though. Will he be ok with this thing blasting him with water a few times a day?it can freak them out to be directly misted, but they get over it eventually. and a water fountain is bad yes because they dont recognized running/standing water as something to drink. dripping or water droplets on leaves. they also harbor bacteria. an mistking is great!

4) Would it be ok to replace the red heat bulb with a standard clear incandescent light? I don't like the look of the red one.yes.

5) what is the best way to get him to eat vegetables? I put them in a small bowl and he doesn't seem to care too much.some try wiggling it near them, others just leave it. mine wont eat them at all.

6) I mist by hand about 5 times a day but I haven't seen him drink yet. Should I be worried?
alot of peopel dont see them drink. as long as uratres are white, your ok.
7) I was told he was a male but I can't be sure. I understand you can tell by the back feet. Can anyone confirm his sex for me?i think female. i dont see a tarsal spur. in which case, learn bout laying bins. ill post a blog for you for new keepers and egg bins in a moment.

Thanks for all the help!

nice cage!! and welcome! cute little one!

 

[camimom]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

 

[camimom]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[carol5208]

I don't see any spurs! I say female!!!

 

[Cainschams]

Drippers work great for hydration. You can buy them or make them for cheap. Personally I dont like misting systems. They dont get blasted with mist in the wild they get rained on. Having a more natural approach to everything will definitely spoil it more!!! You can always go with aquazamp mist system and use the rain dome. I really like the idea of that.

It is a female.

 

[Bitfly]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I regards to the basking bulb, I would like to replace it with an Edison Bulb. In the above photos you can see that chrome lamp on the right has one.

I'm hoping that one of these would be ok as long as it gets the temperature right? Do you think a 60 watt would do the trick?

 

[Bitfly]

Drippers work great for hydration. You can buy them or make them for cheap. Personally I dont like misting systems. They dont get blasted with mist in the wild they get rained on. Having a more natural approach to everything will definitely spoil it more!!! You can always go with aquazamp mist system and use the rain dome. I really like the idea of that.

It is a female.

I was considering a dripper but I don't really want some big ugly bottle sitting on top of the cage. I'm very much about aesthetics.

Also I hear they don't do much for humidity.

I also looked into foggers but they seem sketchy.

 

[Branman]

That's a good looking chameleon. I think it's a female too. welcome to your new addicting hobby. Haha

 

[mcleodschams]

yes she is a female (very cute)

 

[mcleodschams]

dripper works the best for my chams i feel like my mistings are just to raise humidity most of the time lol