Help!

[timw1]

Eddie, no one is screaming at you, they/we are trying to help so it does not happen again. The problem with your setup and care is obvious to most here. You created an environment void of plants and a heat lamp suited for a sauna. Read, study and study some more before you buy another. This forum is full of people who will help you and answer your questions.

 

[Goose502]

Ok. first off (dont take this personally this is to everyone) I PUT THE TINFOIL UP 2 DAYS BEFORE SO STOP SCREAMING AT ME FOR IT THE EXOTICS SPECIALIST TOLD US TO PUT IT UP BECAUSE HE WAS COLD
2. Give me a list please of everything i need to add, and everything i need to completely get rid of and just stop with it. (oh btw the fountain has a filter on it.)

Edit: i dont have a very big budget AT ALL! i saw the picture someone put up and though it looks completely awesome and im pretty sure when his chameleon passes away, heaven will be a DOWNGRADE. but i dont have enough money for a quarter of that cage. should i just sell my current setup and make it a project or can i work off what i have?

Ok, you don’t have a big budget...pick another pet. Chameleons cost a fortune. I’ve said it before, not many realize a veiled chameleon only costs $20 when a decent enclosure will cost many hundreds of dollars. Not to mention the maintenance cost associated with owning the chameleon. Please don’t be offended by some of our comments, but you are literally 1 of the thousands of posts we see that are all very similalar. It’s frustrating to see hundreds of people make the same mistakes. Mistakes that have had solutions for well over a decade.

 

[Eddie Ridgeway]

Ok, you don’t have a big budget...pick another pet. Chameleons cost a fortune. I’ve said it before, not many realize a veiled chameleon only costs $20 when a decent enclosure will cost many hundreds of dollars. Not to mention the maintenance cost associated with owning the chameleon. Please don’t be offended by some of our comments, but you are literally 1 of the thousands of posts we see that are all very similalar. It’s frustrating to see hundreds of people make the same mistakes. Mistakes that have had solutions for well over a decade.

alright. i could afford the weekly/monthly cost of crickets, so i think im going to make this a project as i am very, VERY fascinated by the chameleons and definitely arent finished with them yet. Ill start by sterilizing his cage and adding a few vines. remove the heat lamp and fountain , ill send a picture when I am done and you guys can tell me what you think? Should i make a new page for it or just keep it here?

 

[aridgeway]

This is Eddie's mom, please keep in mind he is 13, dotes on his reptiles (bearded dragon, leopard gecko and chameleon) and is very concerned to do right by them and very disappointed that Carmen did not thrive under his care. The chameleons were not purchased and tossed in a cage he had laying about, he did do lots of reading prior to purchasing and bought everything recommended by both the breeder he purchased a baby from and from a local pet store. When the first one passed we called the breeder and sent photos of the habitat and they told us the setup was fine but young ones are hard to raise and a juvenile would be a better choice so that is what we replaced it with. The cage is ventilated, the humidity stays around 50%, the basking temperature was between 80-85. His crickets were gut loaded with a calcium supplement and rolled in a vitamin powder before feeding. They are fed greens in their holding cage as well. Silk worms are hard to come by where we are, a resource for the change in brand of supplements and the worms would be appreciated. The temp in the cage was raised, at an exotic vets recommendation, a day before he passed to 94. The higher heat reduced the humidity in the cage but he was already dehydrated, it was not a result of raising the temp. We realized it was a last ditch effort to stop his decline in health. The cage was not kept this warm routinely. He was very happy and healthy within a week of his passing but we all know exotics can decline rapidly. The stick in his cage was a purchased item and sterilized, not from outdoors. The ficus is a real plant, not plastic, and is on the list of approved plants for a chameleon. I'll give you that it got a little rangy looking between chameleons but it is growing well now and filling out again. Suggestions on where to purchase reptile safe live vines/plants would be welcome. If anyone can suggest a book or other resource that contains better information than what he has started his research with, we would appreciate a title or link. The misting system can be set for longer periods less frequently and positioned so it comes from above. Several have mentioned spraying the chameleon directly which had not been recommended in the past, is this a daily requirement? Since they require a basking area and temps of 80-90, cooling them with direct application of water was a concern. Also, do they not need a warm basking area in the evening? I see that some have recommended all lights out in the evening and not using the red basking bulb 24/7. It can get cool in the winter overnight, about 60, I thought a 20 degree drop may not be healthy? The UVB is on a timed switch to be daytime only. The take away from everyone's comments seems to be more live plants, higher humidity, a change in supplement and adding occasional silkworms to the feeding schedule. TIA for links to resources for supplies and learning more about chameleon husbandry.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

60 degrees is okay at night. It is recommended that they get a nightly drop in temperature. One book I am reading is "Chameleons" by Advanced Vivarium Systems.

 

[aridgeway]

60 degrees is okay at night. It is recommended that they get a nightly drop in temperature. One book I am reading is "Chameleons" by Advanced Vivarium Systems.

Thank you

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Just to let you know, the book I recommended is more of a general info book on 4 species, rather than just Veiled's. Good Luck!

 

[kinyonga]

I thought that Eddie was young and asked that he draw my replies to your attention...not sure he did but I assume you've read them now.

You said..."This is Eddie's mom, please keep in mind he is 13, dotes on his reptiles (bearded dragon, leopard gecko and chameleon) and is very concerned to do right by them and very disappointed that Carmen did not thrive under his care"...its unfortunate that he lost Carmen. It's nice to know he's really into his pets. I've kept beardies, leos, and chameleons and many other reptiles for many years so if you need any advice just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

You said.."The chameleons were not purchased and tossed in a cage he had laying about, he did do lots of reading prior to purchasing and bought everything recommended by both the breeder he purchased a baby from and from a local pet store. When the first one passed we called the breeder and sent photos of the habitat and they told us the setup was fine but young ones are hard to raise and a juvenile would be a better choice so that is what we replaced it with"...the breeder is right about young ones being hard to keep.

You said..."The cage is ventilated, the humidity stays around 50%, the basking temperature was between 80-85. His crickets were gut loaded with a calcium supplement and rolled in a vitamin powder before feeding"...you mean they were dusted I think...not gutloaded....gutloading is feeding the insects a very nutritious diet before feeding them to the chameleon. If you read one of my previous posts I explained about supplements, etc.

You said..."a resource for the change in brand of supplements and the worms would be appreciated"...I don't know where you live (country, etc) so I can't give you a good link.

You said.... "He was very happy and healthy within a week of his passing but we all know exotics can decline rapidly"... So true sadly.

You said..."The ficus is a real plant, not plastic, and is on the list of approved plants for a chameleon. I'll give you that it got a little rangy looking between chameleons but it is growing well now and filling out again"...I realized that but there are some artificial leaves on the fountain that I suggested removing. Speaking of fountains...I don't recommend using one...its hard to keep clean even with a filter on it.

You said..." Suggestions on where to purchase reptile safe live vines/plants would be welcome"...again, I can't tell you where because I don't know where you live...but generally at a home depot or garden centre/nursery. Pothos, hibiscus are two good ones...make sure you wash them well...both sides of the leaves. I recommend covering the soil with rocks that are definitely too big for the chameleon to ingest too. You can use branches from trees from outside as long as they are non toxic...like maple trees, mulberry trees, etc.

You said.... "If anyone can suggest a book or other resource that contains better information than what he has started his research with, we would appreciate a title or link"... Care sheets and posts on this forum are one of the best sources of information.

You said..."Several have mentioned spraying the chameleon directly which had not been recommended in the past, is this a daily requirement?" I dont soray mine directly usually but some chose to sit in the mist. I've always misted and used a dripper every day.

You siad..."do they not need a warm basking area in the evening?" I shut the basking and UVB lights off at the same time every day.

You said..." I see that some have recommended all lights out in the evening and not using the red basking bulb 24/7. It can get cool in the winter overnight, about 60, I thought a 20 degree drop may not be healthy? "....it's OK for the temperature to go down into the 60's at night. Mine never go below 65F...but that's the way my house is. If you want/need to provide heat at night use a ceramic heat emitter " bulb".

You said..."The UVB is on a timed switch to be daytime only"...that's good.

You said..."The take away from everyone's comments seems to be more live plants, higher humidity, a change in supplementand adding occasional silkworms to the feeding schedule"....plants and supplements yes...humidity higher is not such a concern IMHO as long as the chameleon is well hydrated.

You can feed the chameleon superworms, roaches, silkworms, black soldier flies, once in a while waxworms, etc...in addition tomthe crickets.
If you get another veiled it will also eat leaves from the plants and some greens, veggies and a bit of fruit if presented to it properly. It's best to get a male chameleon when you're a newbie too. That way you don't have to deal with reproductive issues

If you have any other questions...just ask.I've been keeping/breeding/hatching chameleons and other reptiles for over 30 years and a number of other people on here have kept them for many years too. There are also some vets who post here.

I hope Eddie will have better luck with the next one! Welcome to the forum!