Is my baby chameleon getting sick?

[Aelsar]

I got a 10 day old jackson chameleon on Monday. He started sleeping during the day yesterday and from what I've read, that's bad. He's only about 2 inches long (tail included) and he has a large, mesh cage for his size and I plan on up sizing it when he gets larger. He has been sleeping a lot today and he won't eat. My parents said I could get a chameleon and then 2 days later said I can only run the light for 2-3 hours a day. Despite all the protests that it could kill him if it's not on, they won't let me turn it on for more than that. He has been sleeping a lot today and I have a lot of trouble feeding him since the pinhead crickets can fit through the 1/10 of an inch spaces between the mesh. (The little squares where the wire weaves/overlaps.) I tried cup feeding him today and he showed no interest in the food. I tried moving him into a small plastic container with a few pinheads in it but he still didn't want to eat. When I tried to take him out he started to climb on my hand and up my arm, eventually reaching my head. His normal brown color faded and he became very light brown which seemed like an improvement from his usual black with white when I put my hand in the cage. He still won't eat and he keeps sleeping. I don't know how I can get him enough uvb light without placing him outside where the humidity is low. I have his at around 60-65 with 55 as the lowest. I mist his cage often but I avoid spraying him. Any ideas what's going on? Is this normal like when he sheds or something? Thank you for reading.

 

[waynek]

in nature they live outside . if you put him outside , in a spot where he can get out of the sun , and spray him lightly a couple of times a day , he should pick up and start eating . make sure you feed him appropriately sized food , nothing too big . make sure he can access shade to cool off .

 

[ChiefRedman]

I got a 10 day old jackson chameleon on Monday. He started sleeping during the day yesterday and from what I've read, that's bad. He's only about 2 inches long (tail included) and he has a large, mesh cage for his size and I plan on up sizing it when he gets larger. He has been sleeping a lot today and he won't eat. My parents said I could get a chameleon and then 2 days later said I can only run the light for 2-3 hours a day. Despite all the protests that it could kill him if it's not on, they won't let me turn it on for more than that. He has been sleeping a lot today and I have a lot of trouble feeding him since the pinhead crickets can fit through the 1/10 of an inch spaces between the mesh. (The little squares where the wire weaves/overlaps.) I tried cup feeding him today and he showed no interest in the food. I tried moving him into a small plastic container with a few pinheads in it but he still didn't want to eat. When I tried to take him out he started to climb on my hand and up my arm, eventually reaching my head. His normal brown color faded and he became very light brown which seemed like an improvement from his usual black with white when I put my hand in the cage. He still won't eat and he keeps sleeping. I don't know how I can get him enough uvb light without placing him outside where the humidity is low. I have his at around 60-65 with 55 as the lowest. I mist his cage often but I avoid spraying him. Any ideas what's going on? Is this normal like when he sheds or something? Thank you for reading.

What kind of setup are using , and why cant the light be on

 

[Aelsar]

Would it work putting the whole cage outside help? I dont want him to run off. He woke up and is climbing around drinking water after I just misted his cage. Here is the set up.

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[ChiefRedman]

your picture didnt show up

 

[Aelsar]

Chief, I have a 18"l by 12"w by 20"t cage. There's are 2 of those vines you can buy at the pet store one large, one small. The large one has fake leaves on it. There is wood multch stuff at the bottom that is made for reptile cages. There are also 4 sticks in there.

 

[ChiefRedman]

Chief, I have a 18"l by 12"w by 20"t cage. There's are 2 of those vines you can buy at the pet store one large, one small. The large one has fake leaves on it. There is wood multch stuff at the bottom that is made for reptile cages. There are also 4 sticks in there.

What kind of lights are you using in your set up, and a little advice, the substrate on the bottom is not good.

Fill this out https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Aelsar]

Its a repti glo 5.0 UVB. And instead of the wood, what should I use?

 

[RonWhitmill]

You should use no substrate. You can put down some paper towels. But the bare floor is fine.

 

[ChiefRedman]

nothing, and at night is there any light being shown into his cage?

 

[Aelsar]

I'm cleaning his cage sunday?, I'll remove it then. If its harmful or stressful to him please tell me an I'll remove it asap.

 

[Aelsar]

No its dark

 

[Aelsar]

No, its dark, there is a faint light in the hallway that is not very visible to hisncage, he sleeps near the ground or in the leaves too.

 

[ChiefRedman]

They can cause an eye irritant or it can be harmful if he digests them. Do you know the temps in his cage? Like ambient temps, along with basking temp

 

[Aelsar]

Its around 76-80 during the day. His basking spots around 82. I keep the humidity 55 minimum and try and keep it at 65. Its getting harder to raise lately.. I'll remove the wood. I have a bag of it, can I put it in the little cage the crickets are in?

 

[ChiefRedman]

I dont really see a use for it, but just as long as the cham isnt eating it should be okay. Yeah that young I would let him settle in, and keep handling down to a minimum until he gets adjusted and making sure nothing is bother him sleeping , and making sure he is getting enough water!

 

[Aelsar]

He drinks often. What should I do about feeding? I have pinhead crickets and small crickets. I know he needs pinheads but I bought both for when he's larger, he's growing really fast right now. The pinheads can just slip though the mesh, how would I keep them in there?

 

[ChiefRedman]

He drinks often. What should I do about feeding? I have pinhead crickets and small crickets. I know he needs pinheads but I bought both for when he's larger, he's growing really fast right now. The pinheads can just slip though the mesh, how would I keep them in there?

I would keep doing the baby bin idea. and taking him outside for uv as much as possible, without enough uv it can cause a case of mbd. I would try everything you could to coaxing parents into letting you keep it on

 

[ChiefRedman]

also I would watch out and try not to stress him

 

[Aelsar]

Kk try. I just had him out for half hour. I removed the wood and put in paper towels.