Help needed for new chameleon

[ChameleonHoudini]

I recently got a veiled chameleon and I'm worrying about him. He hasn't eaten and he has escaped twice. I've done a lot of research before getting him, but none of it mentioned escaping chameleons. I doubt it's the size of the cage, it's 3x3x4 like recommanded with no glass. Please give me any advice you have. I want him to be happy and stress free.

 

[christinecollins87]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ go here and fill this out and people on here will better help you

 

[cricketkilla]

Posting pictures will also really help.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Veiled chameleon, male, been in my care only 2 1/2 days
Handling - Maybe twice so far, one to help it when it was stuck.
Feeding - Tried feeding crickets, won't eat
Supplements - ^
Watering - Mist with spray bottle several times a day, never directly at him.
Fecal Description - Gooey, brown
History - Was skinny when bought home

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen, 3x3x4
Lighting - Reptil Sun UVB 26 watts, 6:30 AM-8:30 PM
Temperature - 80-70 at day, 70-60 at night, measured with thermometer
Humidity - 50%, mist several times a day and also have a plant
Plants - Hibiscus
Placement - Near a window, on ground, only 2 people at most walk by

Current Problem - Chameleon is unhappy

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

Posting pictures will also really help.

Full body, of the cage, head, tail or what? So many are requested on some forums.

 

[dcooley08]

Full body, of the cage, head, tail or what? So many are requested on some forums.

your complete set up and also full pics of your cham would do wonders,

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

Here is Loki and his vivarium

 

[SpartyTessy]

You need a lot more branches and cover in there for him. That is why he is trying to escape is he does not feel safe in the open like that. They need places to hide. He will proably start to eat once he is more comfortable in his enclosure. You want to place the branches more to the top of the cage and not on the bottom. They are climbers and like to be and feel more safe up high. Take a look at this enclosure thread to get an idea.

I see that you left the supplements part blank. Giving him the correct supplements is an absolute necessity to his health and well being. You should be giving him some calcium with no D3 about every feeding, some Calcium with D3 every couple weeks and some multi vitamin every couple weeks.

 

[UrbanChameleon]

You can't have a screen-name like "ChameleonHoudini" and not expect your Chameleon to escape. Lol.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

You need a lot more branches and cover in there for him. That is why he is trying to escape is he does not feel safe in the open like that. They need places to hide. He will proably start to eat once he is more comfortable in his enclosure. You want to place the branches more to the top of the cage and not on the bottom. They are climbers and like to be and feel more safe up high. Take a look at this enclosure thread to get an idea.

I see that you left the supplements part blank. Giving him the correct supplements is an absolute necessity to his health and well being. You should be giving him some calcium with no D3 about every feeding, some Calcium with D3 every couple weeks and some multi vitamin every couple weeks.

I've been trying to find affordable branches and cover for him. I also don't want too much coverage because hibiscus can get better big and the one in the cage is already blooming. I plan on getting calicum tomorrow. Thank you tho. And so far he has been moving around never the bottom and becoming more comfortable with the envirnoment.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

You can't have a screen-name like "ChameleonHoudini" and not expect your Chameleon to escape. Lol.

Hehe, I'm quite aware. I came up with the username after he escaped the first time. I've watched him and closed all escape routes. Hopefully he has no more tricks up his sleeves

 

[SpartyTessy]

I've been trying to find affordable branches and cover for him. I also don't want too much coverage because hibiscus can get better big and the one in the cage is already blooming. I plan on getting calicum tomorrow. Thank you tho. And so far he has been moving around never the bottom and becoming more comfortable with the envirnoment.

No reason to buy them if you have trees around just cut branches and clean them and set them up in the cage. You want many in there giving him many highways to run around in. The more you fill in that cage the more comfortable he will feel.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

How do you clean tree branches? I would like to know so he stops climbing on the mesh, I'm worried one day he'll burn himself when under the lamp.

 

[SpartyTessy]

How do you clean tree branches? I would like to know so he stops climbing on the mesh, I'm worried one day he'll burn himself when under the lamp.

You can clean them with distilled white vinegar then rinse them off really good. Then you can use push pins to secure the branches in the cage anyway you like. It really gives you tons of options and he will thank you for it.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

You can clean them with distilled white vinegar then rinse them off really good. Then you can use push pins to secure the branches in the cage anyway you like. It really gives you tons of options and he will thank you for it.

Thank you so much, I may be new with reptiles, but I want to make my little Loki a paradise. Would I need to elevate the cage since it's on the ground? I've read they feel safer the higher they are.

 

[SpartyTessy]

Thank you so much, I may be new with reptiles, but I want to make my little Loki a paradise. Would I need to elevate the cage since it's on the ground? I've read they feel safer the higher they are.

Yes you want he cage up off of the ground. At least a couple feet would be recommended.

 

[SpartyTessy]

I also noticed you did not have a dripper of some sort for him? They are really important and are needed to provide him water throughout the day. It is best to have a dripper drip water on a leave or something similar. You want to make sure he stays hydrated.

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

Yes you want he cage up off of the ground. At least a couple feet would be recommended.

Would 20 inches be enough? And also since my noobish questions are being answered, what should I do for bedding? There is a lot of arguement over substrate. Should I use it or just use some newspaper and mist more often for humitity?

 

[ChameleonHoudini]

I also noticed you did not have a dripper of some sort for him? They are really important and are needed to provide him water throughout the day. It is best to have a dripper drip water on a leave or something similar. You want to make sure he stays hydrated.

Dripper system is in progress of being made but meanwhile whenever I see the leaves are dry I mist completely and avoid getting him wet.

 

[SpartyTessy]

Would 20 inches be enough? And also since my noobish questions are being answered, what should I do for bedding? There is a lot of arguement over substrate. Should I use it or just use some newspaper and mist more often for humitity?

No substrate at all. Substrate leaves the possibility of the Cham ingesting it causing health problems. Best and cleanest with none at all.