Just got my first chameleon

[Danodger]

hello every one i i just got my first chameleon yesterday i think its a girl as theres no lump on the bk of the legs looking for any advice as to help improve any thing i can to give this little one a good home Im going to go buy some really plants tommorw and more things so she can climb higher also going to sort out an open air setup once i move home so here she is also as im no expert she does seem a little under wieght on the good note she did eat as soon i got her home so hopefully keep that up

 

[hkitchen]

Post more pics of the set up so we can give better advice, but definitely need more branches and I would ditch the substrate. I would also look at the health forum and fill out the questionnaire on how to ask for help so that we can see details about the set up and husbandry to be able to give better advice without having to ask a million questions.

 

[Danodger]

Yer after she started eating i thought that the flooring was a bad idea incase some gets caught up

 

[hkitchen]

I see quite a few things that need to be changed. Have you read the caresheet on this site for veileds? If not, then go NOW! She needs to be able to get closer to her heat light and I don't see a UVB light at all which is extremely important and all glass cages are not great for chameleons it can stress them out.

 

[KapitalJ]

More branches and cover up top. She needs to be able to get to within about 6" of the lights. Also only see one light. Need to make sure to have a heat source as well as a UVB.

 

[Danodger]

Theres two in there the uvb you cant see in the pic

 

[Danodger]

Was looking at the box one that goes up top

 

[hkitchen]

My opinion is that both the bulbs in there should be UVB to get more coverage and a separate heat one.

 

[Daypaul]

Most places in her space should be covered with places to climb. As someone else mentioned the glass isn't the best I kept blanche in one just for the ride home it was one of the only times she hissed was at her reflection. I can send you some info on how to build a 3'×3'×5' cage, all the materials you need will cost $50 or under. You'd need a saw and drill.

 

[Danodger]

So get some thing like this

 

[Danodger]

Yer if you could and i going to be changing her cage as soon as i move home but she hasent been hissing or scratching at any thing just walking around sits on the leafs warms up then chills on the branchs up front

 

[hkitchen]

I currently have a double dome hood where both bulbs are UVB and another single hood that is a heat lamp, or you can get a long skinny hood that fits the whole top of your cage for the UVB and then a dome for the heat.

 

[hkitchen]

How long till you move?

 

[Danodger]

I currently have a double dome hood where both bulbs are UVB and another single hood that is a heat lamp, or you can get a long skinny hood that fits the whole top of your cage for the UVB and then a dome for the heat.

Yer ill go get a dome uvb one once i get payed in a few days is this ok for a couple days ? Thanks for help btw

 

[KapitalJ]

Most members tend to gravitate toward tube lighting for the UVB. I am currently using a single CFL with no issues. I will be upgrading though when it is time to change my bulb.

 

[Danodger]

How long till you move?

And it will be a few months they said in the shop it would be fine for up to a year but seeing these other pics and set ups i dont belive it will be

 

[Danodger]

Most members tend to gravitate toward tube lighting for the UVB. I am currently using a single CFL with no issues. I will be upgrading though when it is time to change my bulb.

Yer iv got thw tube uvb atm it goes from one side to other

 

[hkitchen]

And it will be a few months they said in the shop it would be fine for up to a year but seeing these other pics and set ups i dont belive it will be

I think that she will be ok until you move, but make sure you are ready to switch her out quickly after the move, and I would also make some adjustments to the current set up, at least getting her some more branches/vines to walk on to get her higher off the ground and closer to the lights, and make sure there is the appropriate temperature gradient in the cage, and ditch the substrate.

 

[Danodger]

I think that she will be ok until you move, but make sure you are ready to switch her out quickly after the move, and I would also make some adjustments to the current set up, at least getting her some more branches/vines to walk on to get her higher off the ground and closer to the lights, and make sure there is the appropriate temperature gradient in the cage, and ditch the substrate.

Will do and iv all ready started moving things closer and will go get more branches and atuff tomz so she climb more and yer ill get rid now thank you for your help

 

[Danodger]

Right just gone and got a big plant from one of the ones on the list going to put that in there now and get more things for her to climb on tomz