Health Concerns with New Chameleon

[equinelove15]

Hi everyone! So about 3 months ago I got a Panther Chameleon from a friend who said he doesn't have the time to take care of it anymore. He had gotten it from a friend who moved away - so if you're keeping track I'm the third owner. I want to be a successful chameleon owner as this is my first reptile, but the more I looked at these forums the more I grow concern. He's always very colourful and seems to like coming out and sitting on my hand - but I don't take him out very often. **I'm really sorry if this post has been answered somewhere, I'm new here and did try to look for something similar**

Firstly, he doesn't seem to be pooping at all enough and when he does it's quite large - I get maybe one a week. I'm also not sure how often he should be shedding, but he shed all over his body for the first time since I've owned him. (He sheds occasionally near his feet). Here's the specifics I have for him:

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Jackson, male, turning 3 in august
Handling - once or twice a week
Feeding - His main diet is crickets, 4 weeks old. I would love to get more variety in his diet, but he won't eat the mealworms (neither by hand nor worm dish). The crickets are gut-loaded at PetSmart and when I have extra I have them in a cricket-keeper with various veggies and fish food (I was told by PetSmart that this was ok).
Supplements- I dust them with Exo-Terra Calcium + D3. I also have a supplement to put into his water
Watering - He has a running waterfall in his cage. Although it seems to gunk out a lot.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen; about....3 feet tall and 2 feet wide and deep. Sits on the floor in my room. The bottom is covered with soil...there's a large fountain, a few branches leading up to the basking light, and fake foliage he loves to hang in.
Lighting - 100w basking bulb plus a florescent bulb to create 'sunlight' - they stay on for about 9 hours.
I haven't ever checked the temperature or humidity, but I mist the place with water when I feed him (twice a day, 3 crickets at a time)
Plants - no live plants
Placement - His cage is on the floor in my room. There's no other animals that go in, and I don't sleep in there during the summer.
Location - Edmonton Alberta

 

[sandrachameleon]

Are you saying this is a Panther chameleon named Jackson? or is it a Jackson chameleon?

what temps are you keeping it at? humidity? You NEED to be monitoring this. Important. You can buy a cheap little digital unit from a hardware/homeware type store like Home depot for under $20

a once weekly poop isnt unusual

 

[twatts704]

I see quite a bit wrong here, but first we need to see some pics and dimension of the cage would help too... take out the soil in the cage up the misting tto 3-4 times a day... I would suggest putting live plants in and monitoring the temp and humidity

 

[Elizadolots]

Hi!

You need to clarify your form. I suspect you copied someone else's and there is some "hangover" from that form.

Even not knowing what species it is, I think you need to take the waterfall out. It's just a place for bacteria to breed and cause problems. Instead, establish drainage so you can have a water drip running most of the day.

 

[ataraxia]

Chameleon Info:
Handling - once or twice a week As long as he warrants this. there is no problem with handling.
Feeding - His main diet is crickets, 4 weeks old. I would love to get more variety in his diet, but he won't eat the mealworms (neither by hand nor worm dish). The crickets are gut-loaded at PetSmart and when I have extra I have them in a cricket-keeper with various veggies and fish food (I was told by PetSmart that this was ok). Variety is better but not a necessity. It is great he is not interested in mealworms. If i could pat him on the back i would
Supplements- I dust them with Exo-Terra Calcium + D3. I also have a supplement to put into his water This will get you in trouble. You will want to order some plain phosphorus free caclium. this should be used at every feeding and the calcium you currently own should be done 1-2 times a month. If your lights are newer i wouldnt stress to much over it and maybe do it once a month But if the lights are getting older in age. I would would shoot for every other week. ALL LIGHT DUSTINGS.
Watering - He has a running waterfall in his cage. Although it seems to gunk out a lot.Take this out. I dont want to get into a long post of reasons. Many can be read here on the forums. Its just relevant to giving a chameleons care.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen; about....3 feet tall and 2 feet wide and deep. Sits on the floor in my room. The bottom is covered with soil...there's a large fountain, a few branches leading up to the basking light, and fake foliage he loves to hang in. how are you keeping the soil in? Soil is fine but not liked around here. You will need to replace the soil often as he will defecate on this and if he was to hunt a cricket on the ground...You dont want him getting a mouth full of feces along with the cricket.
Lighting - 100w basking bulb plus a florescent bulb to create 'sunlight' - they stay on for about 9 hours. What type of florescent is this bulb?? It is very important this is a uvb bulb. What is the age of the bulb?
I haven't ever checked the temperature or humidity, but I mist the place with water when I feed him (twice a day, 3 crickets at a time)As stated above. Mores mistings are needed and you need to monitor the temps and humidity. VERY IMPORTANT!
Plants - no live plants I recommend live but to each there own. So many benefits over fake can be had.
Placement - His cage is on the floor in my room. There's no other animals that go in, and I don't sleep in there during the summer.
Location - Edmonton Alberta

Welcome to the forums. Pooping once a week is fine. Random shedding is normal with adults.. I hope this helps you.

 

[equinelove15]

Thank you!

What kind of things would you recommend then for variety in his diet?
I'll go to the store tomorrow to get the supplements and a drip system for his water.

We put the crickets in a plastic dish so that we know exactly how many he's eating...and it was also a reason so that they didn't get into the water fountain but I still like the idea of knowing that he eats them all.

The bulb is Repti-glo 5.0 20 watt UV light The age - not so sure, I'll find out from the previous owner, hopefully he remembers. I just bought a humidity and temperature monitor today! What is the recommended numbers for each?

The cage is 29 inches tall by 34 wide by 22 deep - I'll attach some photos (sorry they might be a bit crappy) - I don't know why it's not working but if you right click and open it in a new tab they seem to work

 

[SpartyTessy]

As mentioned above is this a Jackson Chameleon or a Panther Chameleon? There are subtle differences between the two species.

 

[SpartyTessy]

Hi everyone! So about 3 months ago I got a Panther Chameleon from a friend who said he doesn't have the time to take care of it anymore. He had gotten it from a friend who moved away - so if you're keeping track I'm the third owner. I want to be a successful chameleon owner as this is my first reptile, but the more I looked at these forums the more I grow concern. He's always very colourful and seems to like coming out and sitting on my hand - but I don't take him out very often. **I'm really sorry if this post has been answered somewhere, I'm new here and did try to look for something similar**

Firstly, he doesn't seem to be pooping at all enough and when he does it's quite large - I get maybe one a week. I'm also not sure how often he should be shedding, but he shed all over his body for the first time since I've owned him. (He sheds occasionally near his feet). Here's the specifics I have for him:

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Jackson, male, turning 3 in august Is it a Jackson or a Panther??
Handling - once or twice a week
Feeding - His main diet is crickets, 4 weeks old. I would love to get more variety in his diet, but he won't eat the mealworms (neither by hand nor worm dish). The crickets are gut-loaded at PetSmart and when I have extra I have them in a cricket-keeper with various veggies and fish food (I was told by PetSmart that this was ok). Gut Loaded with what? Most likely they are not gut loading them that great. Check Sandrachameleon's blog on gut loading. Most pet stores I have noticed feed them just enough to stay alive and keep from cannibalizing each other. You should also be feeding him other feeders. One feeder should never be more than 40% of his diet. Two good staples are Dubia's and Crickets. Then you can feed it various worms but worms should not be used as a stable
Supplements- I dust them with Exo-Terra Calcium + D3. I also have a supplement to put into his water. For sure you should not be supplementing his water. Depending on the species will depend on his supplementation requirements. But for sure you should not be dusting him frequently Calcium with D3. If a Panther then it should be just once every 2 weeks Calcium with D3. A Jackson just once ever 4-6 weeks. You will want to make sure he is also getting Calcium with no D3 about ever feeding and a multi vitamin again depending on if its a Jackson(once a month) or Panther(Not sure and will let others chime in)
Watering - He has a running waterfall in his cage. Although it seems to gunk out a lot. Get Rid of the Waterfall ASAP. Bacteria will grow in it and will cause problems. Chameleons love to poop in them. For watering you will need a dripper that constantly drips all day for him to drink from. Have the water drip say on a leaf so it will collect and he can drink from that. You should also be misting the cage 4-5 times a day and depending on the species and humidity levels anywhere between 45 seconds to 10 to 15 minutes each time.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen; about....3 feet tall and 2 feet wide and deep. Sits on the floor in my room. The bottom is covered with soil...there's a large fountain, a few branches leading up to the basking light, and fake foliage he loves to hang in. Get rid of the soil on the bottom. There really should be no substrate used on the bottom. Makes cleaning much easier. The recommended enclosure size should be 2x2x4. It should not be sitting on the floor but should be up at least a couple feet off the ground.
Lighting - 100w basking bulb plus a florescent bulb to create 'sunlight' - they stay on for about 9 hours.
I haven't ever checked the temperature or humidity, but I mist the place with water when I feed him (twice a day, 3 crickets at a time) The wattage of the bulb will be dependent on the temp and the temp is of course dependent if its a Panther or Jackson. For a Jackson you do not want the basking temp any higher than 82 and should be mid to low 70's lower in the cage. You want ot make sure the Florescent bulb is a uvb bulb. The reptisun 5.0 is the bulb of choice by most. Lights should stay on for 12 hours then off for 12. No night bulbs should be used. There are many gauges you can get but to make sure they are accurate you should get them tested. Wykd has a great blog on how to test them.
Plants - no live plants Get some live plants. It will help with the humidity and it adds coverage for your Chameleon.
Placement - His cage is on the floor in my room. There's no other animals that go in, and I don't sleep in there during the summer.
Location - Edmonton Alberta

If it is a Jackson Chameleon here is a great Blog with tons of great helpful information. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html

 

[Carlton]

As mentioned above is this a Jackson Chameleon or a Panther Chameleon? There are subtle differences between the two species.

Not really subtle ! About night and day really, so we really need to know which the OT is talking about!

 

[equinelove15]

Sorry, it's a panther chameleon named Jackson Ahaha

 

[Neoki]

Welcome and congrats on the Chameleon.

I remember when my female was young she wouldnt poop alot but did eat alot. Make sure the top section of the poop is white and your fine.

 

[Elizadolots]

One poop a week isn't a problem. This board strongly recommends against gutloading feeders with fish food (and, I'm sorry, I don't recall what the reason is, but there's way too much of something in fish food for chameleons). You have to think of "gutloading" as "feeding your chameleon because the insect is really just a container with a bit of protein and stuff....

Here's a link to Sandrachameleon's blog. She has the best information on gutloading: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/