I just became an owner a veiled chameleon and I have trouble keeping my humidity up in his cage. I have a Zoo Med 4 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot enclosure. He's a baby and he retreats to the corner plant and hides every time i come in the room. His humidity dips as low as 15% sometimes and I try and keep it up but it won't stay up. Does anyone know the best way to do so? I also have a dripper. My plants are also fake. I have a real ficus but its dead winter here in Ohio and I'm currently trying to nurse it back to health. I also have a sheet around his cage on three sides so he can't see the aquarium or my bearded dragon. I cup feed him but he always runs when I come in. Ive handled like 3 times in the two weeks I've had him. Please help me figure this out.
Humidity
- Thread starter Jmplocica
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
The Zoo Med is a screen cage right? There are ways to maintain cage humidity. A cloth sheet around the cage might actually dry the cage out faster as the cloth absorbs moisture and speeds up evaporation. Try plastic sheeting such as a paint drop cloth or a shower curtain. The waterproof surface will hold more water droplets and keep the moisture inside longer. You can still block views of your other pets with anything opaque on those sides. Live plants are a major help. You don't necessarily need a Ficus. For smaller cage you can use several Pothos from a home improvement store. Take a look at the forum's "safe plants list". Many of them are commonly available. Live plants store and release water vapor and so does the potting soil. If you really can't get live plants right now you can really fill the cage with bushy fake foliage and mist a lot more. Drippers may provide a drink but they don't generate much humidity. Its winter and I'll bet you are heating your house more especially THIS winter. This dries out the air a lot. You may need to mist more often or start using a room humidifier aimed at the cage. Cycle it on and off with a multiple setting plug in timer. The "cool mist" ultrasonic types are best for this, not vaporizers.
As for him running away, part of it is because he's a baby, he's new, unsettled, and there may not be enough hiding cover in the cage for him to feel secure. As he settles in and your daily routine around the cage is more familiar he'll learn that you are not a threat. You can eventually start offering him favorite feeder treats by hand. I'd suggest getting him used to your hand around the cage, then your hand IN the cage holding a small cup with a treat in it. It takes time...chams are not fast learners but they do learn!
RPCV
Avid Member
Those of us in cold climates will always struggle with humidity in winter. Keeping rh above 25% is a trick and getting it much higher than that can cause condensation on windows or other cold surfaces in your house. I simply have a small ultrasonic humidifier directed to the enclosure. It is set on a timer to run only during the day and let things dry out at night. This setup is simple and has been working for me for years.
