Glass Terrarium ? and Mood Colors ?

[Menton]

I am very new to owning a Chameleon and i just got him 4 days ago at an unnamed pet store near chicago. And I have a few questions I would love some help with. He is a male veiled chameleon "Hieronymus"

1st : He is in a Exo Terra glass terrarium, this is what the pet store suggested , 24" x 18" x 18" (WxDxH). The main reason that for this suggestion was that at night I run my air very high. They said with a glass terrarium I would be able to keep the temperature with in the terrarium at night. But after doing some reading it sounds like the glass could be very harmful to him. But I kinda spent all my money and will not be able to afford a screen terrarium for awhile , and adding to that would running my air at night still be ok with a screen Terrarium ? I am not sure of his age, but he is about 8" in length, so he is quite young.
How long would I be able to keep him in a glass Terrarium ?

2nd : My other concern is coloring. I have read over and over again that color is mainly a manifestation on mood. But I have not seen or read anywhere what the colors themselves mean. Hieronymus, have been a dull brownish, and dull greenish since I brought him home a few days ago. The image along with this post , looks pretty close to the color he is and stays.

Any information would be very helpful, thank you.

 

[desultadox]

I doubt you know the chameleon's age, but maybe you can tell us his size? He looks pretty small, but it's hard to tell. That cage is all wrong... glass won't work and it sounds way too small unless maybe for a baby and it won't serve him long. Try reading Brad Ramsey's blog for Veiled care and also visit LLLReptile's website for better products. You can try returning the cage... I mean, the store clerk did give you misinformation. It probably depends how long ago you bought it.

 

[dodolah]

What a nice looking boy you have there.
Yes, exo terra glass is not a good place to keep your chameleon in. Chameleon needs a good 10 degree drop in night temperature. Unless your house get below 60F, you have nothing to worry about maintaining the temp.

Is it possible for you to return the terrarium?
I know that cost you about 100 bucks, yea? the screen is way cheaper than the terrarium. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice aquarium. But, it just ain't the right one for chameleons.

Unfortunately, i think your boy is at the age to be moved to a screen one.
as far as color goes, i think you will start to see an improvement as soon as you get him to a screen cage complete with the uvb lighting and heat lamp.

 

[Kat77]

If you just bought that cage, return it. They gave you bad advice, which isn't shocking from a pet store. The temp does not need to stay up at night, in fact it should drop off significantly. Not below right around 60, but anything above that is fine. He needs no light or heat source at all at night.

Not trying to get down on you at all, it was the shop's fault not yours, but I would go back and DEMAND to be allowed to return it since they gave you the wrong info. You can find reptariums for cheap at any petco or petsmart. That would make a good temporary enclosure. But you should really get rid of the glass tank.

 

[Kat77]

I doubt you know the chameleon's age, but maybe you can tell us his size? He looks pretty small, but it's hard to tell. That cage is all wrong... glass won't work and it sounds way too small unless maybe for a baby and it won't serve him long. Try reading Brad Ramsey's blog for Veiled care and also visit LLLReptile's website for better products. You can try returning the cage... I mean, the store clerk did give you misinformation. It probably depends how long ago you bought it.

He said he's 8" in length, but I imagine he means full length including tale...not sure though. He looks young but he isn't a baby and needs a screen enclosure.

 

[Menton]

First off Thank you Desultadox Kat77 and Dodolah for your reply to my post.

Desultadox : He is about 8 inches long from head to the end of the tail. From what I understand he is only a few months old , if that.

At this point I do not think I will be able to return the glass terrarium, but I could try and get another one with in the next few weeks here.

My next question would it be ok to have him in this one for a week or so ?

And is the dull coloring an indication that he is unhappy ?

Thank you again for your time.

 

[Kat77]

No, when they are truely unhappy they turn pretty dark. He should color up more over the next year. He is more than a few months old. How many inches would you estimate from snout to vent (where poop comes out), that will give us a better idea of his age. He is probably closer to five or six months old.

Another reason to get a screen enclosure a.s.a.p is that it can get desperately hot inside of glass enclosures since there is NO airflow (not even a screen top is NOT good news), and that WILL make him unhappy. Do you have a couple of thermometers? One for his basking spot and one for ambient temp? Those are really necessary. And what sort of lighting and heating are you using?

Oh and also, he isn't dull at all for a juvinile veiled. His markings are actually quite pretty!

 

[kyreg]

No, when they are truely unhappy they turn pretty dark. He should color up more over the next year. He is more than a few months old. How many inches would you estimate from snout to vent (where poop comes out), that will give us a better idea of his age. He is probably closer to five or six months old.

Another reason to get a screen enclosure a.s.a.p is that it can get desperately hot inside of glass enclosures since there is NO airflow (not even a screen top is NOT good news), and that WILL make him unhappy. Do you have a couple of thermometers? One for his basking spot and one for ambient temp? Those are really necessary. And what sort of lighting and heating are you using?

Oh and also, he isn't dull at all for a juvinile veiled. His markings are actually quite pretty!

I have the exo terra terrarium as well except mine is 12"x12"x18"
i will be getting the screen enclosure very soon though. But for now as far as air flow goes... is it ook to keep the doors open to get a better air flow ? . I also live in the basement so it gets pretty cool down here especially with the window open. (I close the doors to the terrarium when i leave of course and at night.) anyways im wondering if it i fine to keep the doors open?

 

[Kat77]

You could keep the doors open during periods of time that you are able to watch the cage, but otherwise he will probably get out if you leave it unattended. Opening those doors for long periods during the day, as long as you are watching, probably isn't a bad idea and is probably the best thing either of you can do until you can get your chams appropriate enclosures.

 

[kyreg]

You could keep the doors open periods of time that you are able to watch the cage, but otherwise he will probably get out if you leave it unattended. Opening those doors for long periods during the day, as long as you are watching, probably isn't a bad idea.

Awesome. also, what do your recommend for plants, fake or living?
and if living where would i find some, for a veiled chameleon

ps.
my veiled is 2.5 inches from the nose to the bum, erm, would you be able to give me a time frame of how old she is.

 

[dodolah]

Awesome. also, what do your recommend for plants, fake or living?
and if living where would i find some, for a veiled chameleon

ps.
my veiled is 2.5 inches from the nose to the bum, erm, would you be able to give me a time frame of how old she is.

kyreg check out my signature link for all the info.
but to answer your Qs, living plants are always better than the fake one.
you can get them at walmart, home depot, lowes, and your local nursery.
make sure you wash them good.

as far as age goes, every chameleon grows in a different rate.
so, it is almost impossible to tell.

hope that helps

 

[kyreg]

kyreg check out my signature link for all the info.
but to answer your Qs, living plants are always better than the fake one.
you can get them at walmart, home depot, lowes, and your local nursery.
make sure you wash them good.

as far as age goes, every chameleon grows in a different rate.
so, it is almost impossible to tell.

hope that helps

SWEET,
ok will do.
Thanks.

 

[Kat77]

DEFINITELY for a veiled (really for any chameleon) live plants are a must. The ficus benajamannis is what most people use. Veileds seem to like eating their leaves when they reach adulthood. Other safe plants are the Umbrella plant, Hibiscus, jasmine, amongst others. check out. Ficus and umbrella plants are the easiest to find and the hardiest. But they will also do best in screen enclosures.

http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/SAFE-COM.htm
here is a list of "safe" plants.

 

[kyreg]

DEFINITELY for a veiled (really for any chameleon) live plants are a must. The ficus benajamannis is what most people use. Veileds seem to like eating their leaves when they reach adulthood. Other safe plants are the Umbrella plant, Hibiscus, jasmine, amongst others. check out. Ficus and umbrella plants are the easiest to find and the hardiest. But they will also do best in screen enclosures.

http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/SAFE-COM.htm
here is a list of "safe" plants.

Thank you so much

 

[BocaJan]

My Lucy is 3 3/4" long and was born between middle of January first of February. which puts her about 4 to 4 1/2 months old. They all grow differently but this might give you an idea.

 

[kyreg]

My Lucy is 3 3/4" long and was born between middle of January first of February. which puts her about 4 to 4 1/2 months old. They all grow differently but this might give you an idea.

yah , so i was estimating around 2-3 months old.
does that seem a bit too little?
jeez i hate pet shops.

 

[Kat77]

Yeah, petshops aren't a reliable source of information, nor are they the best source for chams. I guess this isn't true of ALL petshops, but I have never personally seen chameleons that are in a petshop being treated they way they should be. 2 months is too little for most people just starting out with chams. 3+ months is when most breeders start placing them. Before then there can be high fatality rates and that is never good, especially considering what you pay for a lot of these animals.

 

[kyreg]

Yeah, petshops aren't a reliable source of information, nor are they the best source for chams. I guess this isn't true of ALL petshops, but I have never personally seen chameleons that are in a petshop being treated they way they should be. 2 months is too little for most people just starting out with chams. 3+ months is when most breeders start placing them. Before then there can be high fatality rates and that is never good, especially considering what you pay for a lot of these animals.

Yah, i have come with the conclusion that my cham is 4 months, with help of course.
But yah pet shops are really bad. and i work with the smae one that i bought my chameleon from. I started a fewdays after i had bought my cham.
not realizing that this shop was dirtyand didnt know half of what it was talking about, (behind the scenes)
so i started to read up on as much as i can on what they sell there.
they were putting in a water fal for the chameleons they have, and i told them that it isnt suitable for them, i said hwtas best is a dri sytem or misting.
but they still put in a hand made wtaerfall with plastic nad cardboard tubing.....


AS WELL i paid 199.99 for my cham

 

[Kat77]

Yah, i have come with the conclusion that my cham is 4 months, with help of course.
But yah pet shops are really bad. and i work with the smae one that i bought my chameleon from. I started a fewdays after i had bought my cham.
not realizing that this shop was dirtyand didnt know half of what it was talking about, (behind the scenes)
so i started to read up on as much as i can on what they sell there.
they were putting in a water fal for the chameleons they have, and i told them that it isnt suitable for them, i said hwtas best is a dri sytem or misting.
but they still put in a hand made wtaerfall with plastic nad cardboard tubing.....


AS WELL i paid 199.99 for my cham

WHAT? For just the chameleon or for everything (enclosure, lights, crickets, cage decorations)? If that was just for the chameleon they RIPPED you off. You can get a cham that age for $30-70 from most breeders (depending on the juvies age, they get pricier the older they get and for more rare color schemes..and usually male veileds are the more expensive gender at petshops).

 

[kyreg]

WHAT? For just the chameleon or for everything (enclosure, lights, crickets, cage decorations)? If that was just for the chameleon they RIPPED you off. You can get a cham that age for $30-70 from most breeders (depending on the juvies age, they get pricier the older they get and for more rare color schemes..and usually male veileds are the more expensive gender at petshops).

Yep , 199.99 just for the chameleon.
With the enclosure, the decorations came iwth it, for 139.99
the crickets were 10.00 for 50.
wax worms 5 dollars for 50
the lights were around 80 dolllars.
so all in all, my bill was almost 500 dollars

And yah i know now i was ripped off due to looking at the classifieds and people are selling baby veileds for only 30 dollars .

But in some sense it was worth it, i fell in love with her as soon as i seen her.