Help replacing plastic plants 😳

[Eileen]

I have only had my set up with my new little veiled chameleon girl for a week and a half. My husband got her for me as a wonderful surprise for Valentine'a day. I've always wanted a chameleon but never thought I'd actually be able to get one. All that to say, I ended up quickly just getting a Reptibreeze kit which is what they had at the pet shop. I started out with both real and plastic plants. The kit came with this thick vine, which I really like the look of, and Jade (that's her name) actually likes it too because she crawls down in at night to sleep. I have about 6 pothos vines in there already, but not enough to totally cover that wood. I have a bunch more pothos in water to get going, so eventually there will be enough to fill it out. In the meantime I wait. Here is my question. I know now that the plastic leaves are bad.. that when she gets bigger she might nibble them. But what about the vine part? Would I be able to just leave that in there wrapped around like it is, and snip off the leaves, then have the pothos grow around those plastic vines? See how she sits and walks across that one in the back? It's the one under the UV light and she does sit there a lot. I know grapevine would probably look better, but I don't want to stress her out by tearing it all out and redoing the whole thing. Could I just cut those leaves off a little at a time and move the real leaves around. ??
The first picture is her sleeping.. so cute. And also, are silk flowers ok to use?

 

[DeremensisBlue]

You have an attention to detail that will serve your chameleon well! Though, there are two issues that will become serious things very soon. The Chameleon Kit is going to be a problem for your girl.
1) Size: Veiled Chameleons grow ridiculously fast and she will out grow the Chameleon Kit cage long before any pothos have a chance to grow. Get a 2'x2'x4' cage as soon as you can and then use your pothos for that cage because that is the cage she will live life and will have the time to watch the plants grow in.
2) UVB: The UVB light included in the Chameleon Kit is effective for about two inches from the bulb so your girl is not actually getting good UVB (assuming you are using the bulb that comes with the Chameleon Kit). This will lead to calcium deficiency, deformed bones, organ failure and a painful death. So switching to her adult cage and effective UVB is mission critical. In the meantime, use the multi-vitamin (Reptivite with D3) that was included in the kit. That has dietary D3 which can give her what she needs until you can get a UVB light that gives enough UVB.

To answer your question, the vine is useful, but she will grow out of being able to use it soon. When you upgrade the cage you'll want to put in stronger and more substantial branches. The vine will work for now. You have the exact right mindset in thinking about how the plants will grow and look, just get the larger cage and equipment and then invest your planning and forethought to the cage worthy of it.

(And, yes, the chameleon community and ZooMed, the manufacturer of the chameleon kit, have a long, contentious, and vocal relationship about the flagrant disregard for chameleon health.)

 

[Eileen]

so the Reptisun Terrarium Hood with a T5 HO high output with a Reptisun 5.0 UVB lamp is not sufficient?
my husband said he should have just gotten me a box of chocolates when I told him I need a much bigger enclosure. I'll have to see what I can do.

 

[Eileen]

You have an attention to detail that will serve your chameleon well! Though, there are two issues that will become serious things very soon. The Chameleon Kit is going to be a problem for your girl.
1) Size: Veiled Chameleons grow ridiculously fast and she will out grow the Chameleon Kit cage long before any pothos have a chance to grow. Get a 2'x2'x4' cage as soon as you can and then use your pothos for that cage because that is the cage she will live life and will have the time to watch the plants grow in.
2) UVB: The UVB light included in the Chameleon Kit is effective for about two inches from the bulb so your girl is not actually getting good UVB (assuming you are using the bulb that comes with the Chameleon Kit). This will lead to calcium deficiency, deformed bones, organ failure and a painful death. So switching to her adult cage and effective UVB is mission critical. In the meantime, use the multi-vitamin (Reptivite with D3) that was included in the kit. That has dietary D3 which can give her what she needs until you can get a UVB light that gives enough UVB.

To answer your question, the vine is useful, but she will grow out of being able to use it soon. When you upgrade the cage you'll want to put in stronger and more substantial branches. The vine will work for now. You have the exact right mindset in thinking about how the plants will grow and look, just get the larger cage and equipment and then invest your planning and forethought to the cage worthy of it.

(And, yes, the chameleon community and ZooMed, the manufacturer of the chameleon kit, have a long, contentious, and vocal relationship about the flagrant disregard for chameleon health.)

how much time do I have?

 

[DeremensisBlue]

so the Reptisun Terrarium Hood with a T5 HO high output with a Reptisun 5.0 UVB lamp is not sufficient?
my husband said he should have just gotten me a box of chocolates when I told him I need a much bigger enclosure. I'll have to see what I can do.

Whoops, I apologize as I assumed you had the standard Chameleon Kit. It sounds like you got the deluxe version. You have much more time with the 18”x18”x36” cage and that 5.0 T5 linear UVB is effective. Just make sure her basking area is to where her back can be 6” away from the bulb.
You will eventually want to get the 24”x24”x48” size cage, but I have to take back all that sense of urgency. There is another product called the Chameleon Kit that is a real problem. I should have got clarification first!

 

[nightanole]

so the Reptisun Terrarium Hood with a T5 HO high output with a Reptisun 5.0 UVB lamp is not sufficient?
my husband said he should have just gotten me a box of chocolates when I told him I need a much bigger enclosure. I'll have to see what I can do.

You need two T5HO's to keep most things happy. One uvb and one 6500k. Or you can sometimes cheat and use a small halogen basking bulb on both sides of the cage, they will grow towards them.

 

[Eileen]

Whoops, I apologize as I assumed you had the standard Chameleon Kit. It sounds like you got the deluxe version. You have much more time with the 18”x18”x36” cage and that 5.0 T5 linear UVB is effective. Just make sure her basking area is to where her back can be 6” away from the bulb.
You will eventually want to get the 24”x24”x48” size cage, but I have to take back all that sense of urgency. There is another product called the Chameleon Kit that is a real problem. I should have got clarification first!

ok.. whew!! I have already started moving things around to make room for that eventual mammoth sized cage getting rid of a bookcase and cleaning out crap! I do have her basking lamp setting on a wire rack on top and watch the temp there close.. it's been a steady 81 up there on her stick. I just gave her that stick yesterday.. she really likes sitting up there.
Thanks so much for all the good advice and heads up. I will have time to find a bigger enclosure, and I'm actually pretty excited thinking about it because I have a nice big corn plant I've been wanting to use but of course this pen is too small for it!

 

[elizaann2]

ok.. whew!! I have already started moving things around to make room for that eventual mammoth sized cage getting rid of a bookcase and cleaning out crap! I do have her basking lamp setting on a wire rack on top and watch the temp there close.. it's been a steady 81 up there on her stick. I just gave her that stick yesterday.. she really likes sitting up there.
Thanks so much for all the good advice and heads up. I will have time to find a bigger enclosure, and I'm actually pretty excited thinking about it because I have a nice big corn plant I've been wanting to use but of course this pen is too small for it!

Welcome to the wonderful and addictive world of chameleons! Some great resources to find proper care for your beautiful girl can be found in these places:
https://chameleonacademy.com/ - there is also a YouTube channel that is super fun
Veiled Care sheet
https://www.neptunethechameleon.com/ - Also an excellent YouTube channel

Great places for enclosures are:
https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-reptibreeze-reptile-cage/dp/344873
https://www.neptunethechameleon.com/chameleon-kits
There is a DIY brand that I can never find - maybe someone else here can share the link to their website

High end enclosures:
https://dragonstrand.com/
https://tamura-designs.com/collections/arboreal-large-enclosures

Learning to take care of a chameleon can much feel like drinking water from a fire hose (or at least thats how it felt to me), ask as many questions as you need to get your care dialed in. This is a really wonderful community full of kind people who, like you, started new at some point. You'll get excellent help and support here so I hope you stick around!

 

[MissSkittles]

eventual mammoth sized cage

I’ve been keeping all of mine in double sized enclosures and they all use all of the space. I hadn’t seen this at the time https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/ and have used thin wire and whatever else worked in joining two screen enclosures. The hardest part was there was a small gap where the two butted up against each other because of the rounded screw heads. Even with finding/using flat headed screws, I had to sink them flush to eliminate the gap. Helping the enclosures stay joined is they are all on 48”x24” heavy duty shelving units which are a perfect fit. I don’t know what size enclosure you currently have, but it might be an idea to just get another of the same and join them.

 

[MissSkittles]

I use my artificial plants on the outside of the enclosure to provide my chams with a bit more privacy. I think I have only one vine in each enclosure. All the rest is natural branches that I’ve scavenged. Avoid pine and eucalyptus and other woods with heavy sap or odor. Give a little scrub with soapy water (I use Dawn for everything), rinse very well and dry in the sun. I even leave lichen on the branches if it doesn’t come off with my scrubbing. To hang everything, Dragon Ledges are awesome! https://dragonstrand.com/dragon-ledges/ I didn’t have time to wait to order some, so used scrap garden trellis that I had. It looked and worked so well, that I’ve been using it for all my new set ups. Again, using thin wire I attach it to the frame and a couple of screws so it won’t slide down. I do sand the sharp edges to protect little mittens from injury. For plants, many of the taller center plants need additional lighting. My veiled girl goes crazy for hibiscus and eats it down to the nub, but those require very strong lighting. Something like a money tree or weeping fig will do okay with a basic plant light. Schefflera (umbrella tree) is also a great center plant, I wouldn’t use any artificial plants or flowers in with a veiled. It’s not worth the risk. For some pops of color, tradescantia zebrina is beautiful. Polka dot plants are cute, but they will grow tall and leggy. While not ‘veiled tested’, I also use nerve plants, prayer plants, begonia maculata and calathea. I’ve also used Hawaiian Ti plants before, but those didn’t do well at all and it was in with my veiled boy who didn’t eat his plants. This may help. https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/

 

[Eileen]

I’ve been keeping all of mine in double sized enclosures and they all use all of the space. I hadn’t seen this at the time https://chameleonacademy.com/double-wide-chameleon-cage-project/ and have used thin wire and whatever else worked in joining two screen enclosures. The hardest part was there was a small gap where the two butted up against each other because of the rounded screw heads. Even with finding/using flat headed screws, I had to sink them flush to eliminate the gap. Helping the enclosures stay joined is they are all on 48”x24” heavy duty shelving units which are a perfect fit. I don’t know what size enclosure you currently have, but it might be an idea to just get another of the same and join them.

I have an 18x18x36. So eventually I'll need to get the big one. I think I have time to save up and shop around. I already have a scheflerra in there but it does not set up real high. I may need to set it on something. And I did scrub and bake 3 sticks from outside, and sanded them a bit.. I got all the lichen off cuz I was afraid there might something bad in there!
She is so much happier today because the only times I opened the door was to give the pre-dawn mist and to dump her crickets in..which she scarfed up right away.

 

[Eileen]

Welcome to the wonderful and addictive world of chameleons! Some great resources to find proper care for your beautiful girl can be found in these places:
https://chameleonacademy.com/ - there is also a YouTube channel that is super fun
Veiled Care sheet
https://www.neptunethechameleon.com/ - Also an excellent YouTube channel

Great places for enclosures are:
https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-reptibreeze-reptile-cage/dp/344873
https://www.neptunethechameleon.com/chameleon-kits
There is a DIY brand that I can never find - maybe someone else here can share the link to their website

High end enclosures:
https://dragonstrand.com/
https://tamura-designs.com/collections/arboreal-large-enclosures

Learning to take care of a chameleon can much feel like drinking water from a fire hose (or at least thats how it felt to me), ask as many questions as you need to get your care dialed in. This is a really wonderful community full of kind people who, like you, started new at some point. You'll get excellent help and support here so I hope you stick around!

Thanks! So much good advice here.

 

[Eileen]

You need two T5HO's to keep most things happy. One uvb and one 6500k. Or you can sometimes cheat and use a small halogen basking bulb on both sides of the cage, they will grow towards them.

besides the T5HO uvb lamp, I have a Zoo Med mini deep dome lamp fixture with a 75 watt basking spot lamp. they are side by side.

 

[GrannyK]

Just wanted to pop in and say Welcome to the forum and crazy chameleon world to you and little Jade. So happy your hubby is on board, it helps when you have the spousal support.

 

[Eileen]

Just wanted to pop in and say Welcome to the forum and crazy chameleon world to you and little Jade. So happy your hubby is on board, it helps when you have the spousal support.

yes.. he humors me! And I never nag him about his "toys" he buys and doesn't need.
I'm a "granny" too.. but my kids haven't been able to come over since I got her.. they've been going through the flu.

 

[Eileen]

You have an attention to detail that will serve your chameleon well! Though, there are two issues that will become serious things very soon. The Chameleon Kit is going to be a problem for your girl.
1) Size: Veiled Chameleons grow ridiculously fast and she will out grow the Chameleon Kit cage long before any pothos have a chance to grow. Get a 2'x2'x4' cage as soon as you can and then use your pothos for that cage because that is the cage she will live life and will have the time to watch the plants grow in.
2) UVB: The UVB light included in the Chameleon Kit is effective for about two inches from the bulb so your girl is not actually getting good UVB (assuming you are using the bulb that comes with the Chameleon Kit). This will lead to calcium deficiency, deformed bones, organ failure and a painful death. So switching to her adult cage and effective UVB is mission critical. In the meantime, use the multi-vitamin (Reptivite with D3) that was included in the kit. That has dietary D3 which can give her what she needs until you can get a UVB light that gives enough UVB.

To answer your question, the vine is useful, but she will grow out of being able to use it soon. When you upgrade the cage you'll want to put in stronger and more substantial branches. The vine will work for now. You have the exact right mindset in thinking about how the plants will grow and look, just get the larger cage and equipment and then invest your planning and forethought to the cage worthy of it.

(And, yes, the chameleon community and ZooMed, the manufacturer of the chameleon kit, have a long, contentious, and vocal relationship about the flagrant disregard

 

[Eileen]

is it ok the buy the reptibreeze 24x24x48 screen cage by itself..not the kit?

 

[Eileen]

You have an attention to detail that will serve your chameleon well! Though, there are two issues that will become serious things very soon. The Chameleon Kit is going to be a problem for your girl.
1) Size: Veiled Chameleons grow ridiculously fast and she will out grow the Chameleon Kit cage long before any pothos have a chance to grow. Get a 2'x2'x4' cage as soon as you can and then use your pothos for that cage because that is the cage she will live life and will have the time to watch the plants grow in.
2) UVB: The UVB light included in the Chameleon Kit is effective for about two inches from the bulb so your girl is not actually getting good UVB (assuming you are using the bulb that comes with the Chameleon Kit). This will lead to calcium deficiency, deformed bones, organ failure and a painful death. So switching to her adult cage and effective UVB is mission critical. In the meantime, use the multi-vitamin (Reptivite with D3) that was included in the kit. That has dietary D3 which can give her what she needs until you can get a UVB light that gives enough UVB.

To answer your question, the vine is useful, but she will grow out of being able to use it soon. When you upgrade the cage you'll want to put in stronger and more substantial branches. The vine will work for now. You have the exact right mindset in thinking about how the plants will grow and look, just get the larger cage and equipment and then invest your planning and forethought to the cage worthy of it.

(And, yes, the chameleon community and ZooMed, the manufacturer of the chameleon kit, have a long, contentious, and vocal relationship about the flagrant disregard for chameleon health.)

 

[Eileen]

I have a 24x24x48 cage coming. I will have to get it set up, but is there anywhere I could turn that would walk me through moving her into the bigger enclosure, and when should I go about doing this? She is still pretty little, and I've only had her for a week and a half, but I'm so worried about stressing her out. Would it be like bringing her home and starting all over?

 

[MissSkittles]

It won’t be as stressful as when you first brought her home. She is now familiar with her surroundings and you. If you can get her on a branch or even a plant (that you can move over easily), you can move her that way. Food is always a great motivator.