I'm sad. I'm failing.

[Ceycham]

Ever since Norman started his cage climbing he hasn't returned to his previously good color. He's plainly stressed, and I'm worried I can't fix it. He's had a shed recently, he eats fine, his poop is fine, but his color is just dark and unhappy looking. All the time. Even when he's just resting, or about to eat. I'm going to add blinds to the side of his cage in the hopes I can block his view of traffic from the sides without compromising airflow. I seldom offer him my hand anymore, only occasionally when I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself in his restlessness as climbs about his cage. He dangles from the top of the screen and then twists himself in such ways getting down I'm afraid he's going to torsion fracture a leg or two. He readily accepts my hand and bursts out onto my arm and up my head if Iet him. This is never an enjoyable experience for either of us though because he is clearly terrified and wants to get off of me ASAP and someplace higher. The only fix I can think of is he needs a bigger cage and higher up. I worked so hard getting the one he has set up....

 

[CJ's Exotics]

How big is his enclosure?

 

[Ceycham]

18x18x36

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Maybe some live plants? Your enclosure looks good, but I would upgrade to 24x 24x 48x

 

[Ceycham]

Maybe some live plants? Your enclosure looks good, but I would upgrade to 24x 24x 48x

I have some live pothos in there, but nothing live that I have tried so far has had branches that can support his weight, so the fake is doing that job for him. I have been thinking of finding a 36" well forked tree branch to use as support fo and draped with pothos vines because even the fake tree won't support him much longer.

 

[timw1]

Looks like your guy needs some steady branches to climb on. There are some pretty realistic fake vines on the market that will provide your guy proper climbing and basking support. A live plant such as a Ficus is a good choice as well.

 

[alan marz]

I have made a "free range" for my guy by using a five gallon bucket, filled it with the magic stuff foam.
Get some doll rods or branches stick them in and tie in the cross branches. Put it on a solid table or stand
open the cage door and put in front. He can free range in and out of his cage. Just keep a close eye on him.
You can get some fake vines or such and tie them to the rods so he feels more secure.

 

[Ceycham]

I have made a "free range" for my guy by using a five gallon bucket, filled it with the magic stuff foam.
Get some doll rods or branches stick them in and tie in the cross branches. Put it on a solid table or stand
open the cage door and put in front. He can free range in and out of his cage. Just keep a close eye on him.
You can get some fake vines or such and tie them to the rods so he feels more secure.

Could I see a photo of what you are describing?

 

[Ceycham]

Looks like your guy needs some steady branches to climb on. There are some pretty realistic fake vines on the market that will provide your guy proper climbing and basking support. A live plant such as a Ficus is a good choice as well.

I agree! He has grown so fast and seems less than steady on the branches these days. I have sadly not had much luck finding a ficus that has supportive branches either (that will also fit in his enclosure). When I was searching the local nursery they had a display made of manzanita tree. It was about 4 feet high, bare of leaves. So beautiful, and I could imagine draping live plant vines all over it. Expensive though.

 

[Orcawhale]

This exact thing happened to my little veiled when he was around 7-9 months old. He was obviously growing up, he was dark all the time, and relentlessly prowling around the edges of the cage trying everything he could to get out. Here is the thread I made about it at the time (same behavior maybe?) https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/vincent-has-been-acting-really-strange.151533/
At around 10 months I got him a full 24x24x48 cage and he loved it. Calmed right down. Had much more space to move around and he seemed way less stressed. I think this was partially because of the new cage, I also think he grew out of that behavior as well. The pic i've added shows him how he was before I put him in his new cage.

View attachment 194418

 

[timw1]

With the ficus, if you find one a little too tall, you can take it out of the pot and trim down the roots. You can also trim up the branches as well.

 

[carol5208]

Get some doll rods or go outside and look for branches. You can also buy Biovine at any pet store. Wash branches with soap and water. Che ck for bug infestation.

 

[Ceycham]

This exact thing happened to my little veiled when he was around 7-9 months old. He was obviously growing up, he was dark all the time, and relentlessly prowling around the edges of the cage trying everything he could to get out. Here is the thread I made about it at the time (same behavior maybe?) https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/vincent-has-been-acting-really-strange.151533/
At around 10 months I got him a full 24x24x48 cage and he loved it. Calmed right down. Had much more space to move around and he seemed way less stressed. I think this was partially because of the new cage, I also think he grew out of that behavior as well. The pic i've added shows him how he was before I put him in his new cage.
View attachment 194417 View attachment 194418

Thank you for posting this, it helps so much to hear that there's a chance for a good outcome. Having read your thread I also took a large decor tree and stuck it on our master bath shower for him to have some free range time. He explored all 6 feet of that and was a lovely bright green color for a while, but I can't say less restless. I think it was a nice outing for him though, considering we have cats and dogs and thats the closest he is going too get to free range.

 

[Ceycham]

With the ficus, if you find one a little too tall, you can take it out of the pot and trim down the roots. You can also trim up the branches as well.

Will keep that in mind when looking next time! Thanks!

 

[Alexander1]

So what’s the issue? Veileds turn brown for a couple months when they’re growing up. They get restless in their “teens” get a bigger cage and allow him to free range. Get a fecal done but if it’s just the colors your worried about I think he’s fine.

 

[Ceycham]

So what’s the issue? Veileds turn brown for a couple months when they’re growing up. They get restless in their “teens” get a bigger cage and allow him to free range. Get a fecal done but if it’s just the colors your worried about I think he’s fine.

Is this true? There's a brown phase and I'm worrying needlessly? I'm bothered by his wanderlust but mostly I considered his color a serious matter...

 

[Alexander1]

Brown phase, get your bases covered he’ll get over it in a couple months

 

[Ceycham]

Brown phase, get your bases covered he’ll get over it in a couple months

So happy to hear this. Thank you!

 

[Graves923]

The veileds have that terrible teens stage. Dull, muddy coloring along with relentless roaming/ escape attempts when the cage is opened and sometimes a major temperament shift . At about 1 year old they mellow out some.

As long as your temps, humidity, lighting and nutrition are on point you shouldnt have to worry.

 

[Ceycham]

The veileds have that terrible teens stage. Dull, muddy coloring along with relentless roaming/ escape attempts when the cage is opened and sometimes a major temperament shift . At about 1 year old they mellow out some.

As long as your temps, humidity, lighting and nutrition are on point you shouldnt have to worry.

I am so relieved to be hearing this from more than one of you here. Yes, it's really just his color and restlessness that is bothering me. He's also not eating as much, but he is eating some, and pooping, so I'm chalking that off to growing up as well. I'm guessing he is about 8 months old now. I will still be upgrading to a bigger enclosure, and I hope this will pass sooner than 4 months from now, lol. On the one hand I'm thrilled he is finally "accepting" (said loosely) my hand, and comfortable enough with me to readily crawl upon me (with the obvious intention of exiting this arrangement at the very earliest moment he sees something different), but I'm sad at the dissatisfaction he clearly has with his enclosure space.