hi! new lady to the forum

[veiled]

hi i just signed up since im back in the chameleon world. my husband and i just got a baby veiled yesterday. he/she is doing great.(think we see spur on this one compared to the others we were looking at) its been about 10 years since our last chameleon. we had jacksons and one panther. so this is our 1st veiled. hope to learn alot from you all because it seems like alot has changed since we were in the hobby. always had a thing for reptiles. ive had a snake, savanah moniter, caimen, bearded dragon and of course my favorite chameleons. very happy to be back with you all. we are part cold blooded

 

[JoeG]

Welcome back !!

 

[kinyonga]

Here's some information you might be interested in....
Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption. Temperatures needed can vary with the species and age. For hatchling panthers I keep the temperature in the warmest area in the low 80's. For older panthers I keep it in the mid to high 80's for the most part.

Exposure to UVB from either direct sunlight or a proper UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system to make/keep the bones strong and be used in other systems in the chameleon as well. The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic no matter whether its from the sun or the UVB light. The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light. Some of the compacts, spirals and tube lights have caused health issues, but so far there have been no bad reports against this one.

Since many of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus in them, its important to dust the insects just before you feed them to the chameleon at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to help make up for it. (I use Rep-cal phosphorus-free calcium).

If you also dust twice a month lightly with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder it will ensure that your chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it. It leaves the chameleon to produce the rest of what it needs through its exposure to the UVB light. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 produced from exposure to UVB shouldn't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of it. (I use Rep-cal phos.-free calcium/D3).

Dusting twice a month lightly as well with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A will ensure that the chameleon gets some vitamins without the danger of overdosing the vitamin A. PrEformed sources of vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD. However, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene and so some people give some prEformed vitamin A once in a while. (I use herptivite.)

Gutloading/feeding the insects well helps to provide what the chameleon needs. I gutload crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with an assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.)

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are important players in bone health and other systems in the chameleon (muscles, etc.) and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them, you need to look at the supplements, what you feed the insects and what you feed the chameleon.

Here are some good sites for you to read...
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebWheelock.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200406080...d.Calcium.html
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/
If you can't access the sites above that have the word "archive" in you can do it through the WayBackMachine.

 

[jcal]

You are a step ahead of most. Welcome to the forum

 

[carol5208]

Welcome to the forums! I live in Florida but am in San Antonio for a wedding this weekend! Just got back from the Riverwalk! Awesome place!!! Wedding tomorrow at that little theatre outside on the water!!!

 

[Samcham1]

Welcome to the forum, nice to have another member from San Antonio.

 

[veiled]

hope you have a nice time. thanks for the welcome.

 

[veiled]

thank you kinyonga for taking the time to welcome me ang give me so much info. sounds like we are doing great by your info. may need your help down the line. im so jelous you breed panthers. that sounds like a great life. thanks again

 

[kinyonga]

You're welcome for the information! Ask any questions you like...I'll do my best to answer them. If I don't have the answer someone else might!

 

[Hoj]

welcome i think you will like it here. i sure do

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. This is a great place to learn and chat about chameleons. Post some pictures when you can.

 

[jojackson]

Welcome

 

[James45]

Welcome back.