is my Chameleon cage okay ?
- Thread starter SpIKe6535
- Start date
Nursemaia
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sleeping a lot is not a good sign. Substrate is a no no as they can eat it and become impacted. The cage needs more climbing branches and coverage. Live plants are recommended and I'm not sure what that blue dish is for in the bottom. I suggest filling out the how to ask for help form so we can help you correct and issues with husbandry
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
Like @Nursemaia said, sleeping during the day is not a good thing and is a sign that something is not right. Here is the form she was referring to. Please copy and paste it and then fill it out and be as detailed as you can. So that we have more info to be able to help you.....
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.
Chameleon Info:
Cage Info:
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.
Chameleon Info:
- Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
- Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
- Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
- Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
- Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
- Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
- History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Cage Info:
- Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
- Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
- Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
- Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
- Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
- Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
- Location - Where are you geographically located?
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful
savage13
Avid Member
SpIKe6535
Member
What would I use instead of bedding ?
Gumbyveiled
Member
All you need is a good drainage system. Substrate isn't necessary at all and, as previously mentioned, your Cham could eat it and that's no good. That's why it's also important to cover the soil in your plant pot (assuming your plant is real) with rocks or some other large objects that your Cham cannot ingest. Please fill out the above information so we can more accurately help you out.
Stinger
Established Member
NO Bedding at all. Just make sure you have a Drainage Tray. In the forums check out Enclosures.
Alot of people have good Ideas,and creativity on set ups, amazing talent.
When dealing with certain locales research there place of Origin, like Madagascar,Yemem.
Give them a good home
Check us out
SpIKe6535
Member
veiled chameleon; boy (I believe) 2 years old; 2 years old
Don't handle too often
Crickets and superworms; 7 large superworms and 20 large crickets; crickets once a week and super worms once a week;
Zoo med calcium with vitamin d3; anytime I feed with superworms
I use a water spray bottle; 3 times a day for 30 seconds; and I don't see my chameleon drinking it
Brown mostly; and no it's never been tested for parasites
2 days ago he was on the floor for 2 days then I saw him drinking water out of bowl in bottom of cage, like face in water if he was dying of thirst (I never really see him drink water)
My cage is screen 16 x 16 x 30
Zoo med nocturnal infrared incandescent heat lamb 100 w and I'm not sure what my uvb is; stopped using that ref light because of the forums I've read online here so don't worry about that light; usually from 6:30 to 6:00
Not sure what my temperature is (don't have a thermometer)
Don't know what it is but I water the cage with a spray bottle (as I said from above)
No I'm not using live plants and how would I use live plants or beaches from outside to out inside my cage ?
My cage is on top of my dresser; near the door of my room
I'm located in Southern California, riverside or 40 mins away from los angles
The current problem is that my chameleon has been sleeping a lot during the day and awake at night and why he was on the bottom of the cage for 2 days straight and didn't move
SpIKe6535
Member
veiled chameleon; boy (I believe) 2 years old; 2 years old
Don't handle too often
Crickets and superworms; 7 large superworms and 20 large crickets; crickets once a week and super worms once a week;
Zoo med calcium with vitamin d3; anytime I feed with superworms
I use a water spray bottle; 3 times a day for 30 seconds; and I don't see my chameleon drinking it
Brown mostly; and no it's never been tested for parasites
2 days ago he was on the floor for 2 days then I saw him drinking water out of bowl in bottom of cage, like face in water if he was dying of thirst (I never really see him drink water)
My cage is screen 16 x 16 x 30
Zoo med nocturnal infrared incandescent heat lamb 100 w and I'm not sure what my uvb is; stopped using that ref light because of the forums I've read online here so don't worry about that light; usually from 6:30 to 6:00
Not sure what my temperature is (don't have a thermometer)
Don't know what it is but I water the cage with a spray bottle (as I said from above)
No I'm not using live plants and how would I use live plants or beaches from outside to out inside my cage ?
My cage is on top of my dresser; near the door of my room
I'm located in Southern California, riverside or 40 mins away from los angles
The current problem is that my chameleon has been sleeping a lot during the day and awake at night and why he was on the bottom of the cage for 2 days straight and didn't move
Stinger
Established Member
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
Part of it could be that you are overdosing him on D3. Too much D3 builds up and becomes toxic in their system and will cause MBD.
He needs plain Calcium with NO D3 daily.
D3 twice a month and
Multivitamin twice a month.
I would switch and give him at least 3 weeks to a month of plain Calcium with no D3 at all then jump into the schedule.
You absolutely NEED to get a temperature probe. You need to know what his temps are. He needs a basking spot of 90-95 degrees for an adult male.
Also check your UVB bulb. They need to be replaced every 6 months or they are useless. After 6 months even if they are still putting off light, they do not put out enough UVB.
How long ago did you stop using the red light at night?
You need to up his misting times. 30 seconds is not long enough to stimulate him to drink or to clean out his eyes.
Read through the care sheets. There are many things you need to fix now. Suppliments, lighting and humidity are three of the most important things to make sure are right.
I would also suggest that you need to get him into see a vet. If you have been overdosing him with D3 he will most likely need vet intervention for MBD.
Can you post a picture of the Cham?
He needs plain Calcium with NO D3 daily.
D3 twice a month and
Multivitamin twice a month.
I would switch and give him at least 3 weeks to a month of plain Calcium with no D3 at all then jump into the schedule.
You absolutely NEED to get a temperature probe. You need to know what his temps are. He needs a basking spot of 90-95 degrees for an adult male.
Also check your UVB bulb. They need to be replaced every 6 months or they are useless. After 6 months even if they are still putting off light, they do not put out enough UVB.
How long ago did you stop using the red light at night?
You need to up his misting times. 30 seconds is not long enough to stimulate him to drink or to clean out his eyes.
Read through the care sheets. There are many things you need to fix now. Suppliments, lighting and humidity are three of the most important things to make sure are right.
I would also suggest that you need to get him into see a vet. If you have been overdosing him with D3 he will most likely need vet intervention for MBD.
Can you post a picture of the Cham?
Stinger
Established Member
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
The care sheet here on the Forum has the specs for what the temps should be.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
SpIKe6535
Member
Recently when I found out you're not supposed to use a night light because that's what it's meant for
SpIKe6535
Member
How long do you recommend for me to missed for ? About 2 days ago it's like 100W because that is what petco told me to get but I realize now that Petco is dumb and don't know what they're talking about. Also I did not know you had to be replaced every six months so I'll replace that today. So I should get a new uvb light and a basking like that is 60W and what about uvb light ? Also I notice my chameleon is moving slower than normal now. And two days ago he was on the ground for two days straight
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Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
Read the care sheet that I posted. Follow what it says.
Yes, get a new UVB bulb and remember to replace it every 6 months. You REALLY need a temp probe to tell what the exact temp is in his basking spot. Getting a different wattage won't matter if you don't know what temps it is making for him. An adult male will have a basking spot of 90-95. I have a 100watt bulb for mine but it will all depend on the size of your cage and where the basking branch is.
Mist for at least 3-5 minutes at a time.
He looks really little and skinny for being 2 years. You really need to get him to a vet and take a fresh poop with you for a fecal test.
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