!!getting a chameleon tomorrow, advice please!!

[lecaméléon]

I'm so thrilled and filled with anticipation! It's hard to believe that it was just yesterday when I meticulously set up my chameleon's cage, ensuring that every detail was perfect. Now, I feel fully prepared and ready to welcome my male veiled chameleon from FramsChams, who will be arriving tomorrow. However, I would greatly appreciate some advice and guidance from experienced chameleon owners to ensure that I provide the best care for my new companion.

Let me provide you with all the specifics of my setup, in case you need them. My chameleon's enclosure measures 24x24x48, providing the minimum for his species. I have carefully selected various plants to create a natural and stimulating environment for him. Additionally, I have installed a zoo med reptisun t5 light to provide him with the necessary UVB rays for his overall health and well-being.

To maintain the ideal temperature gradient, I have set up a basking spot at 86.7°F, allowing him to thermoregulate effectively. The ambient temperature in the enclosure is maintained at a comfortable 70.4°F. For nighttime, I aim to achieve a humidity level of around 60% and have decided to invest in a fogger to ensure consistent and appropriate humidity levels. During the daytime, I maintain a humidity level of 40%, which is essential for my chameleon's respiratory health.

II have encountered a setback with a leaking fogger. However, I have returned it and a new fogger will be arriving tomorrow, the same time as the arrival of my chameleon. Additionally, I plan to introduce another umbrella plant and a Dracaena Janet Craig to further enhance the aesthetics and provide additional hiding spots for my chameleon.

To ensure proper hydration, I have invested in a Mistking system, which will provide regular misting sessions for my chameleon. Furthermore, I have a drainage tray in place to prevent any excess water from accumulating in the enclosure.

In terms of nutrition, I have carefully selected silk worms, dubia roaches, and crickets. These insects are gutloaded with collard greens, mangoes, papaya, and apples. To supplement him, I will provide Repashy LoD daily and Reptivite with D3 on a monthly basis.

 

[Gloriawood]

Hi and welcome!!! Props to you for doing your research and set up before hand!! I can’t say that I did the same, though I wish I had. You are nearly spot on with everything. How old is your Cham and the sex and species please? This will affect husbandry. I will say that the colored light can hurt their eyes. I’m assuming it’s a plant light? Switch to a plain white colored one.

 

[Gloriawood]

Just re read and saw you are getting a male veiled. My bad! Age will still be important to know though.

 

[lecaméléon]

It is approximately three months old. I apologize on not adding it to the original post. Thanks on the last minute advice. I am frantic to have the adequate information before tomorrow.

 

[EmilioTheAnkify]

you need more branches

 

[Gloriawood]

It is approximately three months old. I apologize on not adding it to the original post. Thanks on the last minute advice. I am frantic to have the adequate information before tomorrow.

Ok so I’m not familiar with babies but other will chime in I’m sure. You will want to lower basking temp a bit. 85 is max for adults. Babies tend to overheat easier so a few degrees lower would be better. They also like to screen climb. So watch for that, you may need to raise your lights so he doesn’t burn. As @EmilioTheAnkify said, more branches would be great. Any unused space is wasted space for these guys. I’ll attach the plant list for you to double check yours against. Make sure they are all veiled tested ones.

Don’t panic. You’re doing great.

 

[lecaméléon]

you need more branches

Ok so I’m not familiar with babies but other will chime in I’m sure. You will want to lower basking temp a bit. 85 is max for adults. Babies tend to overheat easier so a few degrees lower would be better. They also like to screen climb. So watch for that, you may need to raise your lights so he doesn’t burn. As @EmilioTheAnkify said, more branches would be great. Any unused space is wasted space for these guys. I’ll attach the plant list for you to double check yours against. Make sure they are all veiled tested ones.

Don’t panic. You’re doing great.

Great! Thanks to both of you! I have a birch tree with too many branches that I could steal. Thinner branches are preferable, right?

 

[Gloriawood]

Great! Thanks to both of you! I have a birch tree with too many branches that I could steal. Thinner branches are preferable, right?

With little ones, yes. But get a variety so that he exercises his little mittens.

 

[lecaméléon]

Perfect! I'm on this right away!

With little ones, yes. But get a variety so that he exercises his little mittens.

 

[Beman]

To supplement him, I will provide Repashy LoD daily and Reptivite with D3 on a monthly basis.

Hey there welcome to the forum. the supplements are off. You want Repashy LoD only 2 times a month say the 1st and the 15th this is a multivitamin that has vitamin D3 and A both of which are fat soluble and can be overdosed. No Reptivite at all this is another multivitamin that has vitamin A in it. You want to get a plain calcium without D3. This is what you would use at almost all the feedings except when you use the repashy 2 times a month.

I have installed a zoo med reptisun t5 light to provide him with the necessary UVB rays for his overall health and well-being.

Which UVB bulb strength is it. If it is a 5.0 bulb you want to measure from the screen to the branch this should be 8-9 inches. Now you are getting a young baby and he is going to screen climb the top. This means you need to lift all lighting off the top of the cage 4 inches. This also means being extra cautious with temps at the screen. You need to rest your hand there directly under the heat bulb. If it feels hot to you it has the potential to cause a thermal burn on the baby.

I have set up a basking spot at 86.7°F,

Little on the warm side. You want more of 80 for a 3 month old baby. Even as an adult your providing a range of 80-85 being the max temp. Double check your wattage too on the bulb and no focused heat bulbs. You want a regular white incandescent bulb 60-75watt max depending on your distance. If raising this which is what I advise for a baby you will use a 60 watt and no stronger raised at least 4 inches off the top. Then do the hand test to make sure it does not feel hot to you.

 

[Lindasjackson]

Congratulations on getting your new chameleon! I can’t wait to see pictures of him!

 

[lecaméléon]

Hey there welcome to the forum. the supplements are off. You want Repashy LoD only 2 times a month say the 1st and the 15th this is a multivitamin that has vitamin D3 and A both of which are fat soluble and can be overdosed. No Reptivite at all this is another multivitamin that has vitamin A in it. You want to get a plain calcium without D3. This is what you would use at almost all the feedings except when you use the repashy 2 times a month.

Which UVB bulb strength is it. If it is a 5.0 bulb you want to measure from the screen to the branch this should be 8-9 inches. Now you are getting a young baby and he is going to screen climb the top. This means you need to lift all lighting off the top of the cage 4 inches. This also means being extra cautious with temps at the screen. You need to rest your hand there directly under the heat bulb. If it feels hot to you it has the potential to cause a thermal burn on the baby.

Little on the warm side. You want more of 80 for a 3 month old baby. Even as an adult your providing a range of 80-85 being the max temp. Double check your wattage too on the bulb and no focused heat bulbs. You want a regular white incandescent bulb 60-75watt max depending on your distance. If raising this which is what I advise for a baby you will use a 60 watt and no stronger raised at least 4 inches off the top. Then do the hand test to make sure it does not feel hot to you.

My apologies, I don’t have the LoD i have the earth pro an every feeding. My Bad! I have the 5.0 and it’s 10 inches away. I am lifting the heat bulb so the heat is dissipated by the time my baby is close

 

[lecaméléon]

Congratulations on getting your new chameleon! I can’t wait to see pictures of him!

He is so tiny and cute!!

 

[lecaméléon]

here is another

 

[Lindasjackson]

He’s beautiful!!

 

[lecaméléon]

He’s beautiful!!

Thank you!

 

[Beman]

My apologies, I don’t have the LoD i have the earth pro an every feeding. My Bad! I have the 5.0 and it’s 10 inches away. I am lifting the heat bulb so the heat is dissipated by the time my baby is close

Ok did you get the Earthpro A?

With the 5.0 bulb you want 8-9 inches away to put the cham in the correct 3 UVI level. But again if this baby is screen climbing which almost all do you have to lift this 4 inches off the screen top so that the baby is within a safe exposure level.

For the heat just make sure you do the hand test on the screen.

 

[lecaméléon]

Ok did you get the Earthpro A?

With the 5.0 bulb you want 8-9 inches away to put the cham in the correct 3 UVI level. But again if this baby is screen climbing which almost all do you have to lift this 4 inches off the screen top so that the baby is within a safe exposure level.

For the heat just make sure you do the hand test on the screen.

Yes I put LoD on the original post on accident, it’s earthpro a. He is screen climbing so i did raise it, but does this habit until adulthood or what? I just don’t want it to become a future problem!

 

[Beman]

Yes I put LoD on the original post on accident, it’s earthpro a. He is screen climbing so i did raise it, but does this habit until adulthood or what? I just don’t want it to become a future problem!

They will screen climb pretty consistently while they are small and their weight is lower. So this is why we raise lights up. For them to screen climb the top and be directly against a UVB bulb they would be exposed to a UVI that is double the highest levels we see in nature.

So I would expect him to do this until he is roughly 7-10 months. By then his weight will deter him and it will no longer be comfortable for him to try to hang upside down.

 

[lecaméléon]

They will screen climb pretty consistently while they are small and their weight is lower. So this is why we raise lights up. For them to screen climb the top and be directly against a UVB bulb they would be exposed to a UVI that is double the highest levels we see in nature.

So I would expect him to do this until he is roughly 7-10 months. By then his weight will deter him and it will no longer be comfortable for him to try to hang upside down.

Ok, that makes it better! Every time he basks he climbs right up and I was worried that he was too cold Thank you so very much! Also, do you know any good places to deliver smaller crickets? Thats the only thing he’ll eat and I am running out of small ones.