Greetings all!

[ACM]

I'm new to this forum and fairly new to chameleons. I just picked up a female Veiled Chameleon about a month ago from a reptile convention. I suppose she's about 4-5 months old. Not exactly positive on that. I usually empty a bag of 10 small crickets into her cage every day or every other day. I leave mealworms in a dish at the bottom so she can eat if she can't wait for the crickets. I just recently tried giving her a bit of a banana and it took a little while, but she ate it seeing her eat other foods really make me happy. I want to try other fruits and veggies now, see what she likes, what she doesn't. The banana was easy to give, I cut a thin slice and left it on a branch. The stickiness of the banana was perfect for it to be high up, where she likes, yet not fall off. I was wondering about slices of bananas, carrots, grapes, etc... what would be the best way to feed her? I've read people hand feed but she is still terrified of me I really wish she wasn't. but as soon as I open the door to her cage she immediately runs and hides. I tried holding a mealworm & cricket with chopsticks, moving very slowly towards her but she just continues backing away. Will she realize the apple slices, or whatever, is in the bowl? and if anyone has any tips on how to get her to stop fearing me. I understand they don't like to be handled, and I don't try to that often at all. I would at least like her to not spazz out when I even start to open the cage. Thanks all and I look forward to being a new member on this forum sorry if this was all answered already but I get more comfort in being answered direct. If that makes any sense..

 

[Sarahcwilson]

She is super cute! What is her name? I am new to the forum too. I have a little boy Panther. Aren't chameleons great? I don't know a lot about Veiled chameleons but there is a lady on the forum who seems to have great posts about nutrition.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/

Good luck!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello and welcome to the forum, congrats on your new pretty girl Chameleons are a naturally nervous and hidey animal, but if you keep slow and patient with her she will eventually come to associate you opening her door with food arriving and be less scared. As for fruits and veg, they are entirely unnecessary for her to eat, as long as her insects get them. If she happily goes for them you can give her a bit though.
That is a lot of mealworms to offer at once They are quite high in fat and chitin so best not to let her fill up on them. Here is a great all-round caresheet for Veileds that I recommend to all new people - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
And another link to Sandras blog because she really is the one with all the best nutrition info. - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum and to the world of chameleons!

I wouldn't offer her banana very often...but you can offer her pear, apple, melon, berries, dandelion greens, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, kale, carrots, squash, zucchini, sweet red pepper, sweet potato, etc.

Also, once she is sexually mature its important to provide her with an appropriate container of washed playsand so that if she needs to lay eggs she has a place to dig to lay them.

Do you know about gutloading/feeding the insects? Dusting the insects with proper supplements to ensure that your chameleon gets what it needs? Do you provide a source of UVB light that does not pass through glass or plastic?

Also, if you overfeed a female veiled once she's sexually mature she will likely produce eggs and the clutches will likely be large. It can also lead to other health issues.

 

[Neonchams1]

from those pics the enclosure looks sparse and might need more foilage, but welcome to the forums! you will learn lots here!

-Cole

 

[ACM]

I thought I never got a response on here and was feeling a bit down. the first few days just got a bunch of views but no responses. Anyway, thank you all for the greetings and thank you for the advice. I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy holiday season. Especially all your beautiful chameleon children. haha. My Chameleons name is Cami. I know that is a lot of mealworms but I read somewhere that they will mostly eat and nibble throughout the day, they won't exactly overeat, on occasions and some exceptions, they can..but the way I look at it, I just like to leave it in there if she gets really hungry. i watch her and she doesn't really over indulge. Especially if I put crickets or even fruit/veggies in, she'll go straight for that. Like today, I couldn't make it to the pet store for crickets. Usually on a day like today i'd hook her up with some veggies and other treats and she'll mostly eat that, with a few meal worms here and there. but barely any. today, it's snowing and rainy and i just couldn't get out early enough to get and fruits/veggies or crickets so there's the mealworms..kinda just comforts me that she has SOMETHING. i'm interested in getting those Dubia roaches. I didn't even know about gutloading up until a week or 2 ago. It made perfect sense once I read it but I didn't even think. I would just buy about 10 crickets from the pet store and give them to her as soon as I got in. since then, I've been throwing a bit of apple, carrot, and romaine lettuce in there with the crickets for a few hours and THEN I set them loose in her cage. Do you think 10 a day, or every other day is adequate?

On another note, I notice she sometimes closes her eyes. or maybe just one eye. but while she is basking, I notice. My friend told me it's probably because she's just relaxing and doesn't want to stare at the light. Which would make sense for a human...but I don't think light bothers her eyes as it does ours. But anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated.

I also notice she sometimes has her mouth open. sometimes its a yawn, which i think is freaking ADORABLE. haha. but sometimes she looks like someone with a stuffed nose trying to breathe through her mouth. It doesn't last very long, and it happens rarely. I have the reptisun 5.0 bulb for uvb and her basking area is around 90 degrees. I spray the leaves about 3-4 times a day, sometimes spraying her directly from a decent distance away, she doesn't seem that bothered, otherwise i wouldn't do it. I read that when they are dehydrated they can have their mouth open..or it could be some respiratory problem..which i really hope it isn't.

One last issue, I've notice her puff up sometimes, just while basking. nothing is interrupting or disrupting her. I'll just glance over and she's gone from a light green color and a thin lean body, to what she is actually right now, a darker green and puffed up. she's still in the same basking spot she likes, but is she telling me something by these changes? I know that they can sometimes puff up for no reason, or maybe they are agitated or annoyed..but maybe with the other details i've given, this can be explained somehow... ? I'll post a picture of her entire cage in case anyone has any suggestions. thanks

 

[ChameleonMom]

I hate to tell you this but closing the eye or eyes during the day is a sign of illness. Also, if she has her mouth open at her basking spot it usually means she is too hot but when you couple that with the closed eye and the puffing up, my bet (and due to my own experience with this), I suspect a respiratory infection. Your girl also looks dehydrated and would require a constant 'drip' of water as a reliable water source between misting. My advice to you, is to get your girl to a vet for a check up ASAP! The vet will be able to prescribe antibiotics if there is indeed a respiratory infection. Be sure to take a fresh fecal sample for the vet to check for parasites. Good luck. She's a cutie for sure! And be sure to do more research on chameleon care as you will need to improve some aspects of your care if you want her to live a long and healthy life!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Usually they will flatten out to absorb more heat while basking, but sitting comfortably probably means she has got warm enough. Closing eyes during the day is sometimes a sign of sickness, but if it's just a blink or eye cleaning that is ok.
90 degrees and 10 feeders a day is quite a lot.
About 82F is the usual adult female basking temp, and 8 feeders a day will be fine (depending on size of course).
The easiest way to check for dehydration is the white part of her poop (the urate). If this is white then all good, yellowish is dehydrating, orange is bad.
Does she drink and eye clean when you mist her?
Here is that caresheet again, it has suggested basking temps and schedules for feeding on page 2 - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
For ease of gutloading there are a few commercial ones which are useful to add to your feeding. Repashy bug burger or Cricket Crack are the best, Flukers stuff is usually rubbish.
It does look like some more leaves and some small branches to fit her little feet would be good I think. Here is a link to an enclosure thread for some inspiration - https://www.chameleonforums.com/official-enclosure-picture-thread-2-post-your-pics-94781/

 

[carol5208]

I hate to tell you this but closing the eye or eyes during the day is a sign of illness. Also, if she has her mouth open at her basking spot it usually means she is too hot but when you couple that with the closed eye and the puffing up, my bet (and due to my own experience with this), I suspect a respiratory infection. Your girl also looks dehydrated and would require a constant 'drip' of water as a reliable water source between misting. My advice to you, is to get your girl to a vet for a check up ASAP! The vet will be able to prescribe antibiotics if there is indeed a respiratory infection. Be sure to take a fresh fecal sample for the vet to check for parasites. Good luck. She's a cutie for sure! And be sure to do more research on chameleon care as you will need to improve some aspects of your care if you want her to live a long and healthy life!

not always though. Could be a vitamin deficiency or possibly the lights can bother their eyes sometimes. Yes, illness is possible too but not just the only reason. To the OP, as far as the respiratory infection, does your chameleon look to have any extra thick stringly saliva when its mouth is open? Does she hold her nose straight up in the air? Do you hear any type of noises when she breathes, like a wheezing or popping? These are all symptoms along with the mouth opening of a respiratory infection.

 

[ACM]

so, for the last few days I haven't notice her closing her eyes as much. or opening her mouth. the basking spot is around 80-85. I haven't ever noticed any stringy saliva. Also, her urate has been looking pretty white. I'm mainly concerned with her traveling to the bottom of the cage frequently. I heard they will try to dig out or look like they want out.. but she either does a walk around, as if she's looking for something. or she goes down, walks for a second and heads right back up to the top. how young can they become gravid? should I attempt to do the whole bucket and dirt thing?

 

[sandrachameleon]

welcome to the forum!
here are some links to information that you will probably find useful:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/syn/226-frequently-asked-questions.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/
http://www.chameleonsonline.com/https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/407-gutloading-isnt-just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.chameleonsonline.com/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/522-average-cost-owning-chameleon.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/573-chameleon-physiology-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/662-temperature.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/659-green-leafy-goodness-gutloading.html
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

 

[ACM]

Thank you Sandra

 

[Decadancin]

Hi, and welcome to the forums! So just to chime in, I'm going to agree with pretty much everything I've read so far, and add a little bit . As for feeding, definitely lay off the meal worms! Super worms would be better if you can find them (a bit easier to digest and less fat) and I would only offer them as a "once in a while" treat. You do not have to leave food in the cage for grazing throughout the day. If you a free ranging or cup feeding the food I would put it in early in the morning and that's it. You don't want your Cami eating too late in the day. She needs time to digest before turning in, which at this time of year in NY would be around 5 o'clock. Speaking of turning in, what is her lighting schedule like? Here is a link to my blog about lighting. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html
Here is one about egg laying. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

A "once in a while" puff up or yawn is kinda normal. Again, as stated, if this is accompanied by wheezing or popping sounds and stretching out of the throat area with either stringy saliva or bubbles out of the nostrils, (even a little bit) I would be much more concerned.

I would also suggest a lower basking spot temperature of around 82 degrees for a female.

I would lastly suggest filling out this form so we can see all of your husbandry techniques and offer some suggestions if necessary. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Again, welcome to the forums and can't wait to see your girl grow up here!

 

[DavidBuchan]

how young can they become gravid? should I attempt to do the whole bucket and dirt thing?

The very youngest I have heard of a Veiled becoming gravid is 4 months old, my girl had her first infertile batch at 8 months. Here is a link to a very useful egg-laying blog - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html EDIT: That Decadancin already posted........ .......

 

[Decadancin]

The very youngest I have heard of a Veiled becoming gravid is 4 months old, my girl had her first infertile batch at 8 months. Here is a link to a very useful egg-laying blog - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html EDIT: That Decadancin already posted........ .......

Ha Ha, that's too funny! I waited to post this, but you took too long! Just kiddin'.

 

[ACM]

Thank you everyone for your help and for welcoming me. I have her on a lighting schedule of about 11pm her lights go out and about 11am they go back on. I took out the meal worm and am looking into other containers to keep her grubs in so I can pick out and give her at reasonable times, and reasonable amounts. The pet store near me only has crickets, wax worms, meal worms, and night crawlers. That's the small pet store, although further down the street there's a petco. Does anyone know if they also usually carry critters?

There's not sound when she breathes. No crackling or popping of any kind. No stringy saliva and she definitely has plenty of energy and life in her. She doesn't appear sick or weak, and although that's a good sign, I know it doesn't mean she's 100% ok. But things seem ok now. She still goes to the bottom of the cage once in a while so I will try to put her in a bucket and see how she reacts. Better to be safe than sorry. I See her drink all the time. If I spray her, she does the whole eye cleaning thing and I can see her drinking the mist. I also see her licking the leaves. Sometimes I put ice cubes on top of her cage and even see her drinking right from the drip spot. This makes me very very happy. My gf and I plan on really pimpin out her cage lol just wanna add some more thin branches and some real plants for her. I posted pics of her setup, was hoping I could get some feedback on it thusfar. I really love her and want her to have the best habitat, diet and life I could possibly give her considering shes in my house and not outside in her natural habitat. It's only fair that I do my best.

Thank you all for helping me and being really nice about my ignorance. I joined this forum because I will take and absorb everything you all teach me. Thank you again. Cami loves you all

I just wish it was summer so I can let her take in some real sun. But it's below freezing here and I don't think they make coats small enough for my girl heheh.
I will fill out that questionnaire when I get on my computer. Thank you!

- Anthony, Lacey & Cami

 

[Decadancin]

I would suggest having her lighting more like what you see outside. My lighting this time of year is from 7 AM to about 6 PM. My boy goes to bed at about 5 this time of year regardless of his lighting schedule . If your little girl does this I would slowly get the lighting to a more seasonal level. I'll check out the enclosure pics too!

 

[ACM]

Your Chameleon - Female Veiled chameleon, in my care for about 2 months now. maybe less..
Handling - rarely handle her. once in a while i take her out to hopefully get used to me, i sometimes let her explore a little area in my room that she seems to enjoy climbing. but not for too long. i just like her to get out of her cage a little and hopefully become comfortable with my presence. but like i said, it's a very rare thing i do.
Feeding - some fruits and veggies, when i have. mainly crickets, i gutload with apples, carrots romaine lettuce, also had mealworms but have now taken them out. i usually give her about 10 crickets before 5pm. her lights are on at 11am.
Supplements - i have retolife plus and reptocal. i alternate every couple of days. i could use a bit more specifics on dusting.
Watering - i have a spray bottle and i add 2 drops of Reptisafe for each filling of the bottle. i spray about 3-4 times a day and i spray genrously. i also leave 2 ice cubes on top of her cage every once in a while.
Fecal Description - fecal matter is brown, about 2 inches maybe, with the urate a beige-ish white.
History -


Cage Info:

Cage Type - i'm going to sound stupid but i'm not sure of the dimensions of the cage. it is screen though. there are pictures i posted a few responses ago, maybe someone can tell me the size..for future reference.
Lighting - i know the uvb light is reptisun 5.0, which i leave directly on top of the cage, on for 12 hours. the basking light, i'm not sure to be honest. my sister picked it up and also got me the uvb light. she googled the lighting setup and got both of what was said. pretty sure google found the result from this forum. either way, it keeps her basking area at around 80-85 degrees. i turn it on at 11am and 12 hrs later i shut it off (roughly)
Temperature - the floor is about 70 and her basking is in the 80's? lowest at night is usually about 65-70? i have a thermometer inside at all times.
Humidity - this one, not too sure on. i lost the humidity gauge when i bought the thermometer, i need to pick up another.
Plants - none at the moment. just fake ones
Placement - her cage is in my room which isnt very big but not too high traffic, aside from me walking. but i usually sleep when she sleeps. no vents, windows open or anything like that. i have a space heater in case my room gets too cold and i keep an eye on her thermometer.
Location - Brooklyn Ny


Current Problem - no exact problem. just want to make things as perfect as possible for my little girl.

thanks everyone!

 

[ACM]

also, her cage is about 6ft from the ceiling and roughly 2 feet off the floor. and sorry about the question marks. i forgot to delete them as i was answering. haha. i just read it back and it made me sound really unsure about all my answers. sorry!

 

[ACM]

I would suggest having her lighting more like what you see outside. My lighting this time of year is from 7 AM to about 6 PM. My boy goes to bed at about 5 regardless of his lighting schedule . If your little girl does this I would slowly get the lighting to a more seasonal level. I'll check out the enclosure pics too!

i'll work on this. thank you very much. i thought since i have shades and dark blinds and all that, she wouldn't be able to tell..but i guess it's more instinctual. either way, i will work at slowly getting there. sunrise here is at about 7:20 and sunset is about 4:40. i should still aim for an 11-12 hour schedule?