Is it ok if my chameleon sleeps on the floor?
- Thread starter aldermat
- Start date
aldermat
New Member
I let the temps down to around 60-65 because I shut the light off at night so it's around my room temp
Virgil1972
Avid Member
You need more sticks and branches for climbing and more cover. It looks like you need a UVB light as well. What is the humidity in the cage? What is that tall green thing in the corner of the cage?
aldermat
New Member
I put some of the pics above and one of them was from the other day but the 2 r from just now. I think I have the right setup and I have an electric drinking fountain type thing in the corner and a ficus in the other (I looked it up and it's a safe plant)
aldermat
New Member
Not sure on the humidity but the light I have is a combined UVB and heat
aldermat
New Member
The green thing is a drinking fountain that is meant for reptiles with running water
Virgil1972
Avid Member
You need to monitor the humidity in the cage. The fountain is not the best option for drinking water they can build bacteria in them.
aldermat
New Member
How would I get more humidity? I do spray the cage 2 times a day and I clean out the fountain every 2 weeks because of bacteria growth
Virgil1972
Avid Member
First you need to figure out how much humidity you have. You can buy a real nice humidity meter for pretty cheap. If you need more humidity live plants and misting really help.
aldermat
New Member
Alright thanks! I'll have to look into checking the humidity
Virgil1972
Avid Member
Add a lot more climbing sticks going both horizontal and vertical. Sticks from outside work great and can be attached to the side with small zip ties. Make sure the sticks are clean and don't have poop on them. Pothos are a good live plant to put in there they provide cover and grow very fast.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Without a lot more live foliage it will be harder to keep your cage humidity up, and there isn't much for him to lick water droplets from. I wonder if he's going down to the lower areas to find a cooler more humid place for the night, or to hide out of view? It could also be that he happens to be crawling around low down in the cage at the time his lights go off. Once its dark they tend to stay put. Really odd.
Last edited:
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
IMHO, cleaning the fountain every 2 weeks isn't nearly enough. Its basically recirculating "old" water over and over. If something has fallen into the fountain and contaminated the water (drowned feeder, poop, shed skin, etc) its going to stay contaminated until you clean it out. If your cham happens to drink from it (does he ever?) he's getting contaminated water.
trickedoutbiker
Avid Member
Fountain is BAD. Full of bacteria. Get rid of it and get/make a water dripper. And a hand sprayer, or get an automatic misting system instead. Also, you need more foliage. LOTS more foliage. Chameleons climb in trees and bushes. The cage looks really open..... not a lot to climb on and nothing to hide around/in. You need to better simulate their natural environment with more plants. You also look like you need a UVB along with your heat bulb. What are your basking temps and how do you check them? What are your humidity levels and how do you check them?
Ponyboy
Member
Dump the fountain immediately.
I made the same mistake when I first got a chameleon, the box even had a picture of a chameleon on it...gotta be safe right?! Wrong.
Bacteria and illness will plague your husbandry simply because chameleons will poop in running water. Period. Then a cricket will go drink the water or die in it, then your chameleon will eat a bacteria-gut-loaded feeder and become ill.
Go to Lowes, spend $5-10 on a bunch of bamboo sticks, cut them to desired length, and you'll make a chameleon highway heaven for him to get exercise, hide, and bask in!
Pothos are cheap, just following the cleaning and potting soil guidelines in these forums to ensure your little buddy doesn't eat any perlite (white balls, fertilizer) or drink off of any contaminated leaves.
Speaking of which you said you had a ficus, have you washed and re-potted it? Many chameleon owners have learned the hard way about proper potting and maintenance of live plants in their husbandry, take their advice which is spread through the forum just use the search option.
You're here, trying to learn the right answer and that's a good thing, just fix his husbandry ASAP and you should be good to go!
Thermometer, hygrometer, humidity, UVB...everyone else hit on those.
Hope this helps!
I made the same mistake when I first got a chameleon, the box even had a picture of a chameleon on it...gotta be safe right?! Wrong.
Bacteria and illness will plague your husbandry simply because chameleons will poop in running water. Period. Then a cricket will go drink the water or die in it, then your chameleon will eat a bacteria-gut-loaded feeder and become ill.
Go to Lowes, spend $5-10 on a bunch of bamboo sticks, cut them to desired length, and you'll make a chameleon highway heaven for him to get exercise, hide, and bask in!
Pothos are cheap, just following the cleaning and potting soil guidelines in these forums to ensure your little buddy doesn't eat any perlite (white balls, fertilizer) or drink off of any contaminated leaves.
Speaking of which you said you had a ficus, have you washed and re-potted it? Many chameleon owners have learned the hard way about proper potting and maintenance of live plants in their husbandry, take their advice which is spread through the forum just use the search option.
You're here, trying to learn the right answer and that's a good thing, just fix his husbandry ASAP and you should be good to go!
Thermometer, hygrometer, humidity, UVB...everyone else hit on those.
Hope this helps!
SocialNumb
Established Member
Also, make sure you're gutloading your insects properly. It's very important! Personally I used https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/sandrachameleon.1614/ blog entries to learn what's good or bad. You can also buy commercial stuff like Cricket Crack if you're super lazy or super pressed for time. Otherwise a blender and freezer will do for your wet stuff, and dry, well, a ziplock and fridge.
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