intro

[tyg]

hey guys ive had my cham for about 3 months now, love it! ive done as much reading as possible on him and still have a few questions. i think amelio is pretty young still, i got him from the pet store and he was all of 4 inches long. hes grown really quickly but seemed to hit a slump, hasnt been as active that he did, seems to be more satisfied basking now, moves around to eat but just doesnt seem as happy id almost say. could it be him shedding again? its the third time hes shed . also trying to decern the sex, i think its female maybe male, are the spurs very noticeable asap?

 

[BobS346]

A couple of things. First, what species is Amelio? Second, can you post a few pictures?

It is not uncommon for chameleons to have some growth spurts, kind of like kids. Activity level can vary at times, sometimes just randomly, and sometimes because of temperature changes of a few degrees in the ambient temperature of the enclosure. Since he is spending more time in his basking area, I would try to figure out if the ambient temperature of the enclosure has dropped a little, making him feel more comfortable in the warmest area of the enclosure - his basking area.

 

[Decadancin]

Assuming that you are talking about a veiled? Here is a link to a pic of the tarsal spur.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/images/veiled_slide3.jpg

If you are still not sure, try to post a picture of th back portion of the rear leg and we'll try to help.

 

[tyg]

ive attached a few pictures, i havent seen any spur action in the hind legs so amelio is a female?! but there she is. few pictures. her shedding sort of was prolonged this time, few extra days but i am in the middle of a wisconsin winter and my old apartment doesnt hold heat in as well as wed like. maybe it is just a cooler temp than usual. slowin down activity, also gonna try and mist an extra time or two a day in case hes not drinking wat he needs

 

[Decadancin]

Looks like a girl to me from those pics. Amelia will need a laying bin in her enclosure pretty soon. Here are a few links from the caresheets...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/

What size enclosure is she in? You may need a larger one to accommodate the bin and allow her to have free access to it.

 

[Decadancin]

Just one other question, is the enclosure all glass? (I'm seeing a reflection on the top and was wondering if the lighting is through screen.) The glass won't allow enough UV to get through to your chameleon.

 

[tyg]

amelias home is actually my old iguana cage turned vertically. so mostly glass but the whole front is a screen. thats where i put her basking light thru. the enclosure is 37 inches tall, 19 wide and 17 deep. were in the process of making a new one tho, fully mesh screen enclosure! to come soon. i have tons of vines and leaves and a bonsai tree in her enclosure. with a three leaf drip system. i use reptibark for substrate but should i change that and make the bottom all sand for her laying bin?

 

[LilBlue]

amelias home is actually my old iguana cage turned vertically. so mostly glass but the whole front is a screen. thats where i put her basking light thru. the enclosure is 37 inches tall, 19 wide and 17 deep. were in the process of making a new one tho, fully mesh screen enclosure! to come soon. i have tons of vines and leaves and a bonsai tree in her enclosure. with a three leaf drip system. i use reptibark for substrate but should i change that and make the bottom all sand for her laying bin?

Hi, you should get rid of the reptibark, no substrate at all is best to avoid impaction from eating it. Just use a rubber maid, or ice cream pail for a lay bin. A mix of soil with some sand, a bit of water, just enough that the mixture sticks together, but not dripping water. If you make the lay bin removable it is easier to clean. I always just keep the lay bin in a female's enclosure, just in case you miss the signs, or gravid signs are obvious.