Help, weird coloring

[LadyDuTemps]

My young male chameleon looks burned/sick but I don't know for sure seeing as this is my first chameleon. He's been acting lethargic lately and trying/getting stuck behind the water dispenser. Can anyone tell me if they've had this issue?

 

[Andee]

Definitely burned, but something is seriously wrong, more than just possibly a vitamin deficiency. In my opinion he needs to be seen by a vet. I also recommend filling out the "How to ask for help" form in the top of the health section.

 

[LadyDuTemps]

Oops


Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - veiled, male, like 4 months from petsmart
• Handling - right now not so much because it's been cold
• Feeding - feeding mealworms everyday (10 covered in calcium to which he eats like 5 a day), I get 10 crickets that last him a few days, and I don't gut feed him didn't know to do so
• Supplements - repticalcium
• Watering - fountain, I mist like 3-4 times a day
• Fecal Description - white and not checked
• History - don't really know

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - tall glass screen on top
• Lighting - dual with uvb and night lamp
• Temperature - 80 degrees with 30% humidity. Lowest night 60. With manual dial therms.
• Humidity - 30-40%. Misting 3 to 4 times a day. Manual therm
• Plants - all plastic
• Placement - nook I'm the hallway of camper trailer close to heater
• Location - alberquerqe new mexico

 

[phantomchameleon]

Did you read the caresheets?

 

[Andee]

You need to get rid of the mealworms, and get very different feeders available. Check the caresheets for the dusting schedule, because yours is off. Get rid of the fountain immediately. Mist for 4 times a day at least, shortest times for 2 minutes, one a day should be at least 5 minutes preferably 8 minutes. Basking temps should be at 85 degrees. No night light bulb, if you need heat at night use a ceramic heat emitter. Basking day light bulb are needed. You absolutely need to start gutloading all your crickets and any feeder you can. Is your terrarium similair to an aquarium set up?

 

[alphakenc]

He looks all bloated with un kosher fatty mealworms in his stomach,mealworm is highly addictive,the more he eat those ,the more suffer he will be,I wouldn't feed myself hotdog all day,and feel bloated n miserable

 

[LadyDuTemps]

Ok the pet store used these mealworms. So should I only be feeding him crickets or gutstuff him with mealworms?
He doesn't go through 15 in one day more like 4-5. It's the store brand tall kind or terrarium.
Also no one gave us a care sheet so I don't know his feeding times. I wanted to save it from the store because they didn't even know how to take care of him and now I'm afraid he's going to die under my watch. I'm used to snakes mainly but always wanted a chameleon, so I'm lost.

 

[Andee]

The caresheets we are talking about are provided by the forum. Honestly most of the pet stores that chameleons are sold at don't know anything about the animals they are selling. I wouldn't suggest feeding mealworms. I don't honestly think you understand what gutload means? It's not gutstuff. Gutloading means to feed the feeders healthy food items that will provide the necessary requirements for the chameleons diet and fill in what the insects don't have. Snakes are completely different than insectivores. I honestly don't recommend taking on reptiles or exotics without at 3+ months of research into it's individual requirements. With chameleons it's 6 preferably 12 months or more. Glass terrariums are only recommended if there is good ventilation. Glass and combo is better. His cage will need to be a 2ftx2ftx4ft cage when he is better and around 5 months.

 

[LadyDuTemps]

Ok so no meal worms and I'll check those care sheets then.

 

[LadyDuTemps]

What fruits or veggies do I need to give him? The care sheet doesn't say. That's what I didn't know to feed him.

 

[LadyDuTemps]

Thanks btw, Andee. I got in over my headad a little here but I will get this.

 

[Andee]

At this age you don't really need to try fruits or veggies. At 8 months or less veileds don't need much plant fibers in their diet at all. You need to focus on feeding insects and getting it right first. What you need to focus on is gutloading the insects. So feed the insects healthy fruits and veggies, like specifically dino/tuscan kale, mustard greens, dandelion greens, figs, papaya, mangoes, collard greens on occasion, arugala, turnip greens, water cress, parsley, some basil occasionally, chicory leaves, chard (not swiss chard), beet greens. I often use all my feeders like roaches/crickets as green waste disposals most of the time.

Edit: I would look into a large cage soon. It will be easier to stop him from getting burnt in a larger cage with a better range for temp gradient. You also want the bottom of the cage to be as bare as possible, so the most you want is paper towels. If you are sticking with fake plants, be careful because your chameleon is a veiled and will eat their enclosure plants, even if they are fake. Live and chameleon safe plants are best. You still need a lot more plants. Hopefully he will be hard to find by the end. You also want several more branches with different kinds of textures.

 

[LadyDuTemps]

I have orange blocks for the crickets and things

 

[Andee]

Orange blocks (if you mean the water crystal things) are useless. Vegetables and fruit that are healthy are far better, plus a healthy and reputable gutload. I suggest cricket crack combined with something similair to Repashy's Superload.

 

[alphakenc]

when next time you go for your supermarket food shopping,please pick u up some fresh vegetables look on the ingredients for calcium as long is not calcium binding oxalate vegetables,you should be in a good hand ,the vegetables is great for human "gutloading" too
Here are some choice for u to use as gutloading
Veggies good for chameleons include (but are not limited to) the following:
collard greens
mustard greens
dandelion greens
escarole
endive
carrot greens
green beans
hard squashes
parsley

Fruits and veggies can be fed sparingly:
spinach
romaine
kale
carrots
honeydew
canteloupe
strawberry
grapes
apple

Iceberg lettuce and avocados should be avoided completely!
And if u can,get the organic one ,its much better.

 

[Angelwolf]

Thanks btw, Andee. I got in over my headad a little here but I will get this.

It's ok. That happens a lot, because like someone said, the pet stores either don't know or don't care about the animals and what's best for them. They just work there and sell stuff. And sadly, many petstores push the price tags. Basically, what that means is they train their associates to push the higher priced animals/products, instead of doing the right thing. Then some unsuspecting customer comes along, and gets into the same spot you are. But, you have come to the right place, and you are in great hands with @Andee . He is very knowledgeable and experienced with these cute little critters! Have no fear! Ask questions and take advice. We are all here to help!

 

[Andee]

Lol I find it funny everyone thinks I am knowledgeable, sometimes I feel like such a newbie.

 

[alphakenc]

Lol I find it funny everyone thinks I am knowledgeable, sometimes I feel like such a newbie.

I just wana make sure u are a woman,last time I check u are a female are u

@Andee . He is very knowledgeable and experienced

 

[Andee]

Yes technically I am woman but I honestly don't care. I have female body parts etc. And am fine with being a girl, but am not overtly attached to either gender ^^

 

[alphakenc]

Great to know , and u should be proud for who u are,some of the ladies has better brain than the male members,good for u Andee.