I just adopted my first chameleon

[Azaria]

This is my first chameleon. I think she's a veiled chameleon. She's about the size of my hand, but not all four fingers, yaknow? (I have smallish lady hands)

She came fully set up, and I already have beardies, so there are crickets around. Can anyone tell me anything else about her? I have yet to go buy mealworms, or handle her, but she ate crickets happily, this morning. I was told she doesn't enjoy being handled, and that's about it. I would really like to know how old she is. I can't compare her to my hand yet because I want her to settle in before I bug her.

Can you tell her age by looking at her? Can I expect colour changing?

Nice to meet everyone here! I searched for a good forum and signed up as soon as she was in my house!

 

[brooklynelizabeth]

First off, welcome to the forums and congrats!!, she is a beauty. I am not sure if the previous owner has told you but you will need a laying bin in with her at all times... for more details on the care and husbandry on a Female Veiled check out this link, its a blog by a senior member of the forums and is highly respected by many, https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html once again, congrats

 

[Azaria]

She's going to lay eggs??

 

[millerman6401]

I am not sure if the previous owner has told you but you will need a laying bin in with her at all times... https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html once again, congrats

yes, female chams will lay infertile eggs without a male around. this is stressfull for both you and the cham if not done right so read up on that. other than that good luck with ur cham and make sure ur dusting it with plain calcium every othr feeding and with multivitamins and calcium with d3 twice a month.

 

[brooklynelizabeth]

She's going to lay eggs??

yes female veiled chameleons will lay unfertile eggs, it is important to read the blog i have attached that was provided by JannB- a senior member of the forums

 

[Pilotman800]

She's going to lay eggs??

Most likely. They don't need to mate to have eggs. This is why its always very important to have a laying bin at all times.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, and welcome to the forum - here is another good blog / caresheet which covers all the basics for you - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html
You can read part two as well, for more tips on keeping females....
As for her age, it's really difficult to guess, she's maybe 4-6 months I reckon, so possibly about to become sexually mature and show some different colours/ patterns

 

[Azaria]

Her screen enclosure is 16x16x30, and has about 2 inches of plantation soil (or pete moss) at the bottom with a rock dish. How big/wide/deep should a laying dish be in this setting? Does she look like she's finished growing? I wonder if I'll have to upgrade her home.

 

[millerman6401]

id take the soil out and use paper towles... u say a "dish" is in there is this for water? if so remove immediatley. chams get their water from drippers and misting sessions not bowls

 

[Azaria]

I assumed the dish was for meal worms. I have been misting her a few times a day, though I don't think she likes me for it.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Her screen enclosure is 16x16x30, and has about 2 inches of plantation soil (or pete moss) at the bottom with a rock dish. How big/wide/deep should a laying dish be in this setting? Does she look like she's finished growing? I wonder if I'll have to upgrade her home.

She has definitely not finished growing, the bowl (if it is for water) is unnecessary (have you seen her drink? How are you watering/ misting her?).
most people will tell you to remove the soil/ moss in case she eats it and becomes 'impacted' (can't poop - not pleasant).
Read the link about the laying bin. Read the one I posted too......they should answer most of the questions you have for now.....

 

[Pilotman800]

I assumed the dish was for meal worms. I have been misting her a few times a day, though I don't think she likes me for it.

Mealworms should be used every so often as a treat, not a staple. Crickets and reptiworms are my staple.

Try not to spray her directly. Spray the area around her. Even if she does not like it, it needs to be done in order to help keep her hydrated, and keep the enclosures humidity level stable.

 

[millerman6401]

I assumed the dish was for meal worms. I have been misting her a few times a day, though I don't think she likes me for it.

if its small it probably was for mealworms but i would consider taking it out and hanging a little bin / cup up higher for the cham to eat out of. my chams wont go out of their way to the bottom for bugs as much as they will if its right under their basking spots. also if the cham bubbles its eye while misting its just cleaning its eyes out dont worry! i was so scared when my first cham did that XD

 

[DavidBuchan]

I assumed the dish was for meal worms. I have been misting her a few times a day, though I don't think she likes me for it.

Do you have a mister which sprays one shot per squeeze? They usually don't like that so much. A pressure pump one which gives a constant fine spray is much more preferable - http://www.youtube.com/user/davebuchan81?feature=mhee#p/u/18/l3tOw-9r_6g

 

[Azaria]

I read all the articles provided, but I'm still unsure about the size of laying bin required, based on the size of her enclosure. It's 16x16x30" with the foliage and vines up top. Basically, what's the deepest/shallowest she needs for egg laying?

I sprayed her through the screen a bit, but found it easier to unzip it and just spray all the fake leaves. A while afterward, I saw her licking the air a bit, and she looks like she may have been interested in the leaves a minute before I glanced over at her just now.

I don't have a dripper for her yet. should I get one as well as spray regularly?

 

[millerman6401]

most people including me do. it also helps the humidity a bit

 

[Azaria]

Do you have a mister which sprays one shot per squeeze? They usually don't like that so much. A pressure pump one which gives a constant fine spray is much more preferable - http://www.youtube.com/user/davebuchan81?feature=mhee#p/u/18/l3tOw-9r_6g

Yes, I was using a one shot squeeze spray bottle. Hmm, I do have a "Mistr Lizard" bottle that pumps for pressure. It's really annoying to use and my bf is already trying to convince me I'm being stupid for bringing it back out. Nice right? I will see if she likes it better over the next day or so.

 

[DavidBuchan]

I read all the articles provided, but I'm still unsure about the size of laying bin required, based on the size of her enclosure. It's 16x16x30" with the foliage and vines up top. Basically, what's the deepest/shallowest she needs for egg laying?

Make it as big as you can fit in then, and think about upgrading her to an adult sized enclosure pretty soon.

 

[Chameleonaire87]

wow she looks a lot like my femaile veiled as well...same dark spots on the side and all

 

[Azaria]

Do you think an ice cream bucket will be big enough? How do you keep sand and soil moist and available every day forever without it going smelly or moldy?