introducing myself

[Science]

I'm a 7th grade science teacher and had a kind individual donate a vieled chameleon and enclosure as a classroom pet. I'm a little overwhelmed but she seems to be doing well. She made it the first week

I found out after accepting her that they are challenging but I am determined to give her a good home.

 

[chameleonkev]

Chameleons really arnt difficult to look after, not the beginner species such as veiled and panthers etc.. It's more about getting yourself into a good routine with misting times and such. I'm sure the kids love it

 

[biffle]

You sure have stated down the right path by finding CF. Everything you need to know is available with the search button.

 

[LML]

Yes, just read a lot here and once you make sure you have it right, they are easy. You will have to at least have your lights on a timer since he won't go to sleep until after school is out. It will be nice to be able to spend the day with him.

 

[Science]

misting

I have students assigned to misting duties.

They are loving her turret eyes lol

 

[Mr Jingles]

I'm actually a little jealous tha you can spend your days with your cham lol. I rush home after work to come see mine and spend some time with him. Enjoy him

 

[Miacane]

Feeding

Just a thought because of budget, (<---spent a few years as a teacher)

Rounded numbers
10 crickets a day x 352 days 3520 crickets
Petsmart/Petco .11 cents a cricket
$387ish in chrickets

Think about setting up a crickt keeper and buy by the 1000. Could offer another level of education and responsability.

Ghanns Cricket farm
$41 shipped over night for 1000 x 3 or 4 shipments a year $164 (.04 cents a cricket). Cut your feeding cost in half.

Use a Rubermaid container.
Cut a large square in the lid and hot glue alluminum screen door mesh over it.
cut about 6-8, 3-4 inch squares on the sides of the bin and hot glue screen over holes.

Additional responsabilities for students:
Water dialy by folding and wetting a paper towel and placing on a tupaware lid.
Add a fersh orange slice every other day.
Change food (Ghanns cricket food) every other day.
Clean the bottom of the bin every other day or so. Cricket poo, sheddings, and dead crickets. ect...
Change the Egg cartons once a week or as needed.

More students envolved more responsability=more oportunity to educate!

Thanks for educating our future!

 

[Science]

I have a local petshop who is giving me the crickets "at cost" I already have one of those cricket keepers with the black tubes running through it.

I haven't given students the responsibility yet in feeding the crickets or the chameleon just yet. I just have one student in the morning mist and one right before the end of school. Also one fills the dripper before school is over.

As the chameleon gets more comfortable and I get a sense for my kids level of responsibility I will delve out more jobs.

I'm working on a lead for a bearded dragon next

 

[Tay And A]

Chams need a lot of misting. Just make sure that her environment isint super dry between mistings. Personally my chams are misted 8 times a day for 2 minutes each time. A lot of people mist even more than this.

 

[Science]

I have a regular spray bottle. Should I have a kid, say every period mist her? That would be about once an hour.

 

[szpond]

I have a regular spray bottle. Should I have a kid, say every period mist her? That would be about once an hour.

Did you have a way to measure temps/humidity? I'd aim to have the cham's humidity right up in 40%-70%, what type of enclosure is she in? Usually it takes a couple different routine-tries in order to figure out just how often spraying is necessary, for how long, etc.

Aim for a well-hydrated chameleon with an enclosure at the appropriate humidity, allowing it to dry out between mistings. I've heard people say at least twice a day, but I do a good 6-8 times for a couple-few minutes each, for my cham is in an all-screen enclosure and requires a higher humidity than veileds.

we'd love to see pics!

 

[szpond]

Great username by the way

 

[ReptileLove18]

Welcome to the forum!

How cool for you and your classes to be taking on a veiled chameleon together! a great opportunity to teach kids about a creature many people dont know very much about i would have loved to have been in your class when i was in grade school!!

this is a link to our Chameleon Care Resources if you havent seen it yet. it is full of info on chameleons and their general husbandry needs https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

this is a wonderful caresheet for veiled chameleons, its packed with accurate information on their care https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

again, welcome and i look forward to seeing some pics of your new friend!!