Let me Out!!!

[Twhit]

I have recently become the proud new owner of a baby (ish?) chameleon. I'm told its a Trioceros sternfeldi (from this forum). He seems to want out all the time. He frequently hangs out at the front of the enclosure, at the door (ExoTerra) and if I open it, and give him my hand, he'll crawl onto me, and then proceed to crawl all over. Sometimes he'll even make a run for the door if I open it to mist his enclosure.

I have a live planted ExoTerra, 18x18x24, with a UVB Bulb in the canopy and a basking light hanging over the other part. Highest temp right under the basking light is about 87, lowest temp, in the bottom back corner is 70. I mist him frequently to keep humidity above 80%, but it drops below 70% frequently.

He is eating and drinking a lot, crickets daily, I'm trying to find a Canadian source for varied food, but he's eating heartily on the crickets.

Here's his enclosure:

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and here he is:

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[Psychedelic Chams]

Wow he sure is a cutie your enclosure looks great keep up the good work

 

[FrankTheTank]

Get rid of the substrate. It can be accidentally swallowed and impact his bowels. Are you letting the cage get completely dry before each misting? Constant moisture is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. I know they need high humidity but it's ok if it drops below seventy in between mistings. You don't want your guy to develop an upper respiratory infection. He is cute though and I love all of the plants in his enclosure.

 

[shmeenakoz]

I too have a planted exoterra (same as yours but for a young panther) but just removed all substrate today. I would say the soil is fine but cover it with big rocks, frank is right the soil can cause an obstruction. I only removed mine because it was holding way to much water, my plants just weren't thirsty enough. Also just an observation, It looks kind of high in the front is there enough space for air to get up through those front vents? Great looking little one btw

 

[brownie64]

Cute

I personally use a substrate helps a great deal with the humidity. But it does look like you have the holes covered up, he needs that ventilation. I too would cover the substrate with large enough river rock that he can't ingest any of it. Even though I feel there is only a slight chance of impaction. I think the biggest issue with impaction is what you feed them. and whether or not they are kept hydrated, but why take the chance. My two cents.

Really nice looking fellow. Looks real healthy.

One more thing if you find that your watering requirements are a bit much for your plants, you can always do what I did, and put small stones at the bottom so the water can accumulate after draining from your substrate. All you need is a little hole in the substrate where you can take a wet-vac and suck out the excess water. this is how I handle the water overflow problem. If your terrarium doesn't have tempered glass, you could just drill a drain hole, and catch it in a bucket, but if you go this rout make sure the glass isn't tempered or it will shatter. Here again this is what works for me. Just saying there is more than one way to successfully keep chameleons.

 

[scerbz]

the other thing to watch out for with the substrate is that bacteria can grow in it. by chams defecating on it, without constant removal, you for sure will have bacteria. the cham can consume it, especially if the feeders are free roaming the tank, then get sick. i recommend some sort of dish (i use 5qt ice cream containers so they dont jump out). i have started to just plant the plants in planters, and add random mosses for the remaining bottom space. just an idea. not necessarily going to be an issue. but love the way your enclosure is set up and your cham looks so cute.

 

[brownie64]

Get rid of the substrate. It can be accidentally swallowed and impact his bowels. Are you letting the cage get completely dry before each misting? Constant moisture is a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. I know they need high humidity but it's ok if it drops below seventy in between mistings. You don't want your guy to develop an upper respiratory infection. He is cute though and I love all of the plants in his enclosure.

I would think your humidity would be specific to your species. I have Jacksons, and I keep my humidity between 70 and 80%. Now my veiled I would keep it between 55-70%. I'm not familiar with this species so I don't know what it's humidity needs are. That's something he should probably research. However I agree he should make sure the moisture is drying in between mistings.

 

[brownie64]

Agreed

the other thing to watch out for with the substrate is that bacteria can grow in it. by chams defecating on it, without constant removal, you for sure will have bacteria. the cham can consume it, especially if the feeders are free roaming the tank, then get sick. i recommend some sort of dish (i use 5qt ice cream containers so they dont jump out). i have started to just plant the plants in planters, and add random mosses for the remaining bottom space. just an idea. not necessarily going to be an issue. but love the way your enclosure is set up and your cham looks so cute.

I always cup feed, that way they hardly if ever go to the bottom. And I clean every month rather it needs or not. Which it always does.

 

[Twhit]

I do have a large layer of hydroballs under the soil, with mesh in between. The soil is not covering the front vents, I made sure of that, and I plan on picking up stones this weekend to cover the soil. I cup feed, so I'm not too concerned with impaction. I did some research on the needs of this species, and it says 80-90% humidity, not letting it get below 70%. I do allow the leaves to dry completely between misting, and my soil is not wet at all (although it's new soil, so has not had time to saturate). I think I've discovered that he's hungry, I tried feeding him again when he came to the door, and he ate, so...

How many crickets should he be eating? He will eat 5 or 6 in the morning, but I've had him eat 10-11 throughout the day, is that normal? I wouldn't think he could fit all those crickets in his tiny little body.

 

[ChamaeleonidaeHerper]

I don't think him wanting out all the time is a problem with the enclosure, as much as it is him wanting to get to know you more. Some chameleons seem to be naturally curious, as others want to be left alone all the time. I happen to have a wild caught panther of unknown locale. I've had him for almost three months now, and he still fights me tooth and nail to not get out of his cage, then once he's out, he hates to go back in. They all have different personalities, and I think it's cool yours happens to want to be on out and with you. Nice enclosure by the way, I don't see a reason why he wouldn't enjoy it.

 

[brownie64]

I do have a large layer of hydroballs under the soil, with mesh in between. The soil is not covering the front vents, I made sure of that, and I plan on picking up stones this weekend to cover the soil. I cup feed, so I'm not too concerned with impaction. I did some research on the needs of this species, and it says 80-90% humidity, not letting it get below 70%. I do allow the leaves to dry completely between misting, and my soil is not wet at all (although it's new soil, so has not had time to saturate). I think I've discovered that he's hungry, I tried feeding him again when he came to the door, and he ate, so...

How many crickets should he be eating? He will eat 5 or 6 in the morning, but I've had him eat 10-11 throughout the day, is that normal? I wouldn't think he could fit all those crickets in his tiny little body.

Here again I don't know that much about this species, and maybe someone who does would chime in. But with the ones I do have experience with the little guys eat a lot their growing. A growing veiled could slam that many without even trying. Now my Jacksons only eat about 4-6 crickets a day at most sometimes less. So here again it's species specific. This is just my opinion let him eat what he will I've personally have never had a cham overeat. You said you cup feed so you shouldn't have to worry about the critters eating him, Which crickets will do, that's one reason I cup feed. And some on here may disagree with me but I think you have a fine enclosure for the little guy. And even though most of the time these guys would rather be left alone, I too have had some very affectionate Chameleons they have personalities just like you and me it only depends on the cham. Just make sure you are not stressing him its easy to tell by his colors and attitude.