Raoul Duke
New Member
There is no substrate just a green mat so hes just clawing the glass at the bottom of his cage should i put some sand in there for him.
Male veiled trying to dig ?
- Thread starter Raoul Duke
- Start date
chambabysitter1
New Member
Could be hot, or could be the reflection of the glass. I would fill this out to get the most conclusive of answers.
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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.
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?
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.
* Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.
Pictures are helpful
Raoul Duke
New Member
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - its an exoterra glass terrarium with a screen top i have a 15 watt repti sun uvb bulb and a 100 watt day buld and 75 watt night bulb its a small cage but he is still small getting bigger and i plan on moving him to a 75 gallon terrarium when i get the money my lighiting sced is 12 - 14 hours of light i take him out and put him in my windowsill when the sun is out i water him often * the temperature is 85-89 in the day and at night 75 - 80 at the top lowest overnight was 67 i meausure a thermometer its 75-80 % humidity i use i spray bottle from the top of the cage in so he can drink i spray in 5 minute intervals i water when wood the wood has dried no live plants yet no room but when a get the larger cage i will have a ficus he has plenty of shade with plenty of fake plants for now.
The cage is located in my room where i do have fans on so that it is well ventilated its up to my chest from the floor im located in central ohio ohio
Chameleon Info:
c .calyptratus male (he has spurs) i have had him for three months i handle him every day likes it alot i feed him crickets he eats between 8 - 10 a day i use cricket quencher and fluckers high calcium gut lodaer with d3 every other batch i get 2 dozen at a time and usually have to make trips every 2-3 days i use a squirt bottle in 3 - 5 minute intervals when the wood in his cage drys i water again one of his poops looks yellow and the rest looks like watery greyish round poop
He had tail rot but neosporin has helped it out alot his tail has gotten a lot better his colors a very good
* Cage Type - its an exoterra glass terrarium with a screen top i have a 15 watt repti sun uvb bulb and a 100 watt day buld and 75 watt night bulb its a small cage but he is still small getting bigger and i plan on moving him to a 75 gallon terrarium when i get the money my lighiting sced is 12 - 14 hours of light i take him out and put him in my windowsill when the sun is out i water him often * the temperature is 85-89 in the day and at night 75 - 80 at the top lowest overnight was 67 i meausure a thermometer its 75-80 % humidity i use i spray bottle from the top of the cage in so he can drink i spray in 5 minute intervals i water when wood the wood has dried no live plants yet no room but when a get the larger cage i will have a ficus he has plenty of shade with plenty of fake plants for now.
The cage is located in my room where i do have fans on so that it is well ventilated its up to my chest from the floor im located in central ohio ohio
Chameleon Info:
c .calyptratus male (he has spurs) i have had him for three months i handle him every day likes it alot i feed him crickets he eats between 8 - 10 a day i use cricket quencher and fluckers high calcium gut lodaer with d3 every other batch i get 2 dozen at a time and usually have to make trips every 2-3 days i use a squirt bottle in 3 - 5 minute intervals when the wood in his cage drys i water again one of his poops looks yellow and the rest looks like watery greyish round poop
He had tail rot but neosporin has helped it out alot his tail has gotten a lot better his colors a very good
chambabysitter1
New Member
What kind of thermometer are you using?
Is it placed at the hottest/highest basking spot for an accurate reading? 2-4 inches can throw it off by 10-20 degrees.
If the thermometer isn't digital, you could be getting an inaccurate reading.
100 watts sounds insanely hot, I run a 50 watter and it still gets too high sometimes.
What kind of night bulb? You know for most cases it is not necessary to have one?
I will reformat your survey real fast, since it is laid out in a very confusing format. Using no punctuation, line breaks, or any other way to break up the information in an easy to read format.
Once again, please use punctuation so people can understand what you are saying without having to pick it apart.
Is it placed at the hottest/highest basking spot for an accurate reading? 2-4 inches can throw it off by 10-20 degrees.
If the thermometer isn't digital, you could be getting an inaccurate reading.
100 watts sounds insanely hot, I run a 50 watter and it still gets too high sometimes.
What kind of night bulb? You know for most cases it is not necessary to have one?
I will reformat your survey real fast, since it is laid out in a very confusing format. Using no punctuation, line breaks, or any other way to break up the information in an easy to read format.
Once again, please use punctuation so people can understand what you are saying without having to pick it apart.
Raoul Duke
New Member
hmmm?
maybe hes just weird lol.
maybe hes just weird lol.
Raoul Duke
New Member
and ps, it was my boyfriend who didn't use the punctuation.
but there's no need to be rude.
but there's no need to be rude.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
a 100 watt bulb used to heat a glass terrarium is a sure way to slowly cook a chameleon.
Most likely, he is clawing his way out of the cage since it is way too hot.
I would recheck the accuracy of your thermometer.
Try getting a lower wattage (I recommend nothing higher than 75 watt).
And, your chameleon might benefit from having a screen cage by now.
Best of luck
Most likely, he is clawing his way out of the cage since it is way too hot.
I would recheck the accuracy of your thermometer.
Try getting a lower wattage (I recommend nothing higher than 75 watt).
And, your chameleon might benefit from having a screen cage by now.
Best of luck
ToniandGizmo
New Member
Chambabysitter1's not trying to be rude. It does read rather confusing. We're all just trying to help.
I'd lose the 100W ESPECIALLY if you've got him in a glass terrarium (which I would not use either). I've got a 50W basking light and I even had to adjust that up to it's maximum height because it measured way to hot for Gizmo's basking branch. Please note: I had all my temp readings corrected BEFORE I even got my panther.
Dodolah's right. You are cooking your cham. I'd turn that light off right now if I were you.
I'd lose the 100W ESPECIALLY if you've got him in a glass terrarium (which I would not use either). I've got a 50W basking light and I even had to adjust that up to it's maximum height because it measured way to hot for Gizmo's basking branch. Please note: I had all my temp readings corrected BEFORE I even got my panther.
Dodolah's right. You are cooking your cham. I'd turn that light off right now if I were you.
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ToniandGizmo
New Member
Chams need a cooling down period at night - unless his surroundings get down into the low 50's at night, lose the nightlight.
Beneficial UVB's are blocked by the glass in your window. He could also actually get too hot.
Urates are supposed to be white, yellow can be an indication of dehydration (hard to imagine if his humidity levels are at 80%, which isn't good either if it's all the time).
chambabysitter1
New Member
Guess I was pretty rude between all those pleases, and helpful suggestions.
Not to mention I took the time to reformat that kindly for you, excuse me though.
Hopefully instead of trying to interpret how people are judging you we can return back to the focus of the chameleon.
What kind of thermometer are you using?
How closely is it placed to the highest/hottest spot?
What kind of gutload are you using?
What kind of dusting schedule?
How large is the cage?
Not to mention I took the time to reformat that kindly for you, excuse me though.
Hopefully instead of trying to interpret how people are judging you we can return back to the focus of the chameleon.
What kind of thermometer are you using?
How closely is it placed to the highest/hottest spot?
What kind of gutload are you using?
What kind of dusting schedule?
How large is the cage?
chambabysitter1
New Member
Neatness is nice, it allows people to reread information at a glance, and not lose things, which some people seem to have a problem with.
Anyways, hopefully some people don't offer advice outside of their experience. They seem to do it all the time, only to be corrected later.
Anyways, hopefully some people don't offer advice outside of their experience. They seem to do it all the time, only to be corrected later.
ToniandGizmo
New Member
I absolutely second that. Please do this if possible. If not, do as I suggested and turn that 100W light off. Please, please do it now!
Also (okay experienced cham owners - correct me if this suggestion is wrong), do not use this light tomorrow until you've replaced with a much lower wattage. If he's in glass, 50W is still probably way too high.
Senior members, please chime in.
dodolah
Retired Moderator
try putting your hand on the basking spot for 3 to 5 minutes.
If it's too hot for you, then chances are it's too hot for your chameleon.
For now, switch to much much lower wattage bulb and get a better thermometer than the one sold in Petco or Petsmart.
I used this one:
You can purchase it at your local Walmart/ Lowes/ Target/ Home Depot (usually in gardening section).
If it's too hot for you, then chances are it's too hot for your chameleon.
For now, switch to much much lower wattage bulb and get a better thermometer than the one sold in Petco or Petsmart.
I used this one:
You can purchase it at your local Walmart/ Lowes/ Target/ Home Depot (usually in gardening section).
chambabysitter1
New Member
Also note, I had trouble finding that thermometer in those retail locations. Asking the staff turned up even crappier results.
A quick search in the indoor gardening/decoration area and it turned right up. Right next to all the random pot stands, wind chimes, and other garden decor. It was 10-12 bucks cheap, the functionality is awesome and the price was a steal.
It is smaller than it seems in the picture, maybe the size of a small palm of a hand.
A quick search in the indoor gardening/decoration area and it turned right up. Right next to all the random pot stands, wind chimes, and other garden decor. It was 10-12 bucks cheap, the functionality is awesome and the price was a steal.
It is smaller than it seems in the picture, maybe the size of a small palm of a hand.
Raoul Duke
New Member
i have a thermometer in there and it is accurate. we don;t let the temp get past 95 and it's usually at 90ish.
we keep his cage misted throughout the day. probably every two hours we mist it so he has something to drink and humidity to take in.
we get him out every day and put him in the windowsill and open it up so he can get some sunshinee and the breeze. it's really cute how he just looks out there for hours and watches everything, kinda like a puppy in a car hah. he's cute.
but yeh it's weird, because his cage is never too hot and its always fairly moist.. he just goes to the bottom and tries to dig? maybe he's bored. i know he needs a bigger cage. we're working on that right meow!
we keep his cage misted throughout the day. probably every two hours we mist it so he has something to drink and humidity to take in.
we get him out every day and put him in the windowsill and open it up so he can get some sunshinee and the breeze. it's really cute how he just looks out there for hours and watches everything, kinda like a puppy in a car hah. he's cute.
but yeh it's weird, because his cage is never too hot and its always fairly moist.. he just goes to the bottom and tries to dig? maybe he's bored. i know he needs a bigger cage. we're working on that right meow!
vindicatedornot
New Member
this is too hot for juvies. 85-89 is a good target area. Unless he's an adult but even then in glass the hot air lingers so it will feel hotter than it reads. Your cham is cold blooded and he can't escape the heat. Please understand you need to turn off the bulb if you want him to be ok. You're definately going to need to move it up higher or get a lower watt bulb.
-Andrea
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chamelisa
New Member
Hi and welcome to the forums.
What type of thermometer are you using? Many temp gauges are not consistent. You can have three gauges and all readings will be different. You can have more and see a wide range of readings. I prefer using a digital hygrometer and the ones that work best usually cost more than the ones you can buy for under $10. If you use a digital temp gauge, you will have a better reading than the little stick-on gauges sold by pet stores.
So if your gauge is off by 5 or 10 degrees, your 95 could actually be 100 or 105. Or it could be 90 or 85. But because of the wattage you are using for your chameleon's light, it is probably a bit on the warmer side.
What size cage is your chameleon in? Or is it a tank? If he is in a glass aquarium, it is best to move him into a screened cage. Veileds do not need high humidity at all. Your chameleon should have a temp gradient in his cage. Screen cages are best and when you can offer him a tall configuration, you can provide a warmer area at the top near the lights and some cooler temps lower in the cage. If you are looking for a larger cage, go for the all screened cages. They work great.
Various infections can occur with high humidity and low air exchange. Maybe the tail rot is from these conditions. Or was it caused by a cricket bite (making a meal out of your chameleon). Just a thought. Some humidity is okay for a veiled, but you will run into some issues if you don't allow him to dry out and have proper ventilation.
I would definitely recommend that you replace the basking light immediately with a much lower wattage. You can do without this light until you can get a new one.
What are the temps in the room at night? I'm just wondering why a night light would be necessary.
It's great that you take him out for some fresh air. I'm sure he enjoys getting out of his enclosure daily. If possible, please send photos of your set-up so we can understand how he is set up.
Again, welcome to the forums, you're in the right place.
What type of thermometer are you using? Many temp gauges are not consistent. You can have three gauges and all readings will be different.
You can have more and see a wide range of readings. I prefer using a digital hygrometer and the ones that work best usually cost more than the ones you can buy for under $10. If you use a digital temp gauge, you will have a better reading than the little stick-on gauges sold by pet stores. So if your gauge is off by 5 or 10 degrees, your 95 could actually be 100 or 105.
Or it could be 90 or 85. But because of the wattage you are using for your chameleon's light, it is probably a bit on the warmer side. What size cage is your chameleon in? Or is it a tank? If he is in a glass aquarium, it is best to move him into a screened cage. Veileds do not need high humidity at all. Your chameleon should have a temp gradient in his cage. Screen cages are best and when you can offer him a tall configuration, you can provide a warmer area at the top near the lights and some cooler temps lower in the cage. If you are looking for a larger cage, go for the all screened cages. They work great.
Various infections can occur with high humidity and low air exchange. Maybe the tail rot is from these conditions. Or was it caused by a cricket bite (making a meal out of your chameleon). Just a thought. Some humidity is okay for a veiled, but you will run into some issues if you don't allow him to dry out and have proper ventilation.
I would definitely recommend that you replace the basking light immediately with a much lower wattage. You can do without this light until you can get a new one.
What are the temps in the room at night? I'm just wondering why a night light would be necessary.
It's great that you take him out for some fresh air. I'm sure he enjoys getting out of his enclosure daily. If possible, please send photos of your set-up so we can understand how he is set up.
Again, welcome to the forums, you're in the right place.
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