Need Advice

[321comics]

Hey all! Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section below I have posted pictures of my Cham setup. I would please like some advice on what I can change, and if the lil guy looks healthy.

Mauricio sheds consistently every month, and is around 3 inches not including tail.

I mist his enclosure around 4-5 times every day, and supply a drip for about 1 hour a day.

For lighting, there is a compact fluorescent (lower wattage) and a 75 watt basking bulb

His ambient temp is 75 degrees and basking is around 85

His humidity drops as low as 35 when I'm not there to mist it during work, but when I'm home it's around 50%

For plants I have a pepperomia, a bromeliad, a scefflera, and some creeping ficus.

I feed him about 7-12 crickets a day (depending on size) and I dust them with a calcium powder each feeding (with d3). I have also been informed to feed without d3, and am working on getting that.

He tolerates handling pretty well, but only when it's one or two people around.

Thanks for any advice offered!

 

[Hollywhyte]

I would maybe add a hanging plant plant like a photos

 

[Hollywhyte]

My Veiled likes to munch on his

 

[Swiftchameleon]

You should get a uvb bulb instead of a compact fluorescent. Also dust with calcium without d3 every feeding and with d3 and a multivitamin every 2 weeks

 

[Fiona's Mom]

He is a real cutie. Be prepared in the next 6 months or sooner he will need a much bigger cage so start saving now. Usually 2'X2' X48" .

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Hi there , I would add some branches and vines . Can u see Spurs ?

 

[Ronandex317]

I would add some vines to walk around the enclosure on.
Also, could you post a picture of the back legs? I can't see any spurs but would like to be sure

 

[321comics]

I would add some vines to walk around the enclosure on.
Also, could you post a picture of the back legs? I can't see any spurs but would like to be sure

He does have spurs

 

[321comics]

He does have spurs! thanks for the advice!

 

[321comics]

He is a real cutie. Be prepared in the next 6 months or sooner he will need a much bigger cage so start saving now. Usually 2'X2' X48" .

I've ready started saving! He's already grown so much in the few months I've had him!

 

[321comics]

You should get a uvb bulb instead of a compact fluorescent. Also dust with calcium without d3 every feeding and with d3 and a multivitamin every 2 weeks

So the long ones? This one for sure has uvb output already

 

[medgecko]

To help maintain humidity you could could wall off 2 or 3 sides w/plastic sheeting or foam board.
The advantage of the uvb tube vs the bulb is better cage coverage ... there's not just one spot for uvb exposure but the length of the cage. When you do get the fluorescent fixture, size it for your upgrade cage and use it diagonally across the top of your present cage.
Additional vines/branches beneath the heat zone will better allow him to pick his goldilox level. Also, hanging a plastic leaf section on the door near the basking area would lend a little privacy should he feel threatened.
A simple way to elevate your peperomia and scheflera, for more coverage, is to take an empty pot and invert it to use as a pedestal.
You should consider expanding his menu. I'm raising superworms and dubia roaches and I'm unsure if I'll continue w/crickets (noisy buggers).
Congratulations on your handsome Mauricio and your desire to maximize his standard of living.

 

[Andee]

He looks a bit dehydrated, what do his urates look like?

 

[Swiftchameleon]

So the long ones? This one for sure has uvb output already

Is it just a regular cfl like you would use in your house? I have always used a 5.0 uvb from the pet store and replaced it every 6 months or so

 

[321comics]

He looks a bit dehydrated, what do his urates look like?

Here is a picture. I provide a ton of water for him, how better should I keep him hydrated?

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

How long are you misting for ? You could add a shower in once a week or so for 20ish min .

 

[WAMBO]

Buy a Mistking or Climist and let it do your work.

 

[Andee]

His urates look orange, it looks like he is dehydrated. How long is each misting session?

 

[Fiona's Mom]

You might also feed a few horn worms...nice and juicy! Mmmm!

 

[WAMBO]

You might also feed a few horn worms...nice and juicy! Mmmm!

She's correct. Horn worms provide hydration as they have a lot of water content.