Need help! I don't know if his cage is setup properly and if he's happy and healthy

Noahtb54

Noahtb54

Member
I just got my first Cham. I have his cage setup and everything. I want to know if I'm doing everything right and if he's happy and healthy
 
I can post pics of his cage and him to make sure it's right. I am having a little trouble with the humidity though
 
I just want to make sure my Cham is happy in his new home. I'm having trouble with the humidity and he hasn't drank since I got him 2 days ago but he has ate crickets.
 
I mist the cage about every hour and to get the humidity up but it doesn't stay up. The bottom of the cage is all wet but the humidity gage will read around 30% . Is water at the bottom bad or does it matter?
 
jpowell86 said:
Please fill out the "how to ask for help" form. It will help us see the whole picture. Here is the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Click to expand...
He is a 6 month old male just got from the pet store. He's in a glass tank at the moment since he's young. My humidity gage always says the humidity is low but the bottom of the cage is wet all over and the walls are wet also. The temp is Reading at 75-80 and I want to make sure my Cham will be safe and okay and if I need to change anything
 
jpowell86 said:
Standing water at the bottom is bad. Please fill out the previously mentioned Form.
Click to expand...
I have a green mat that came with the tank that's wet at the bottom I also have a water bowl with a pump to move the water around but that doesn't seem to help the humidity. Here is the tank. Tell me if its okay or what I should change
 

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I've had him for 3 days now I have not seen him drink but I have seen him drink. The water bowl has a pump to move the water. I use a daytime light for vitamins and a basking light also and at night I use a red night bulb. I have 3 fake plants and a few sticks he seems to like them he sleeps at good times but I have not seen him drink once...
 
It's the chameleon & cage info questions from that link that need copied and pasted here, and then answered. It gives these experts a better idea of what's going on, since the species and the age and the cage make all the difference in the world in the advice they will give, and in how the chameleon will fair. I'm still new myself so I don't think I can be of any help, but the lovely people here will take good care of you! :)
 
Okay, this is going to be quite a bit...but all necessary.

  1. Remove the green carpet at the bottom. This is going to hold excess moisture that will grow all sorts of nasty bacteria that is not good for your chameleon.
  2. Remove the red night light immediately. Chameleons need a drop in temperature each night....it's a must. The red light serves absolutely no purpose and if left on during the day could cause serious burns to your chameleon as they do not associate heat that is not coupled with visible light.
  3. Remove the water bowl immediately from your enclosure. Chameleons will not drink from a bowl. They drink water droplets that are on leaves within their enclosures. This is accomplished through multiple mistings each day...either by hand or by automated misting devices. Once again, the water bowl will basically turn into a chameleon toilet and another source of bacteria.
  4. If your humidity gauge is placed at the top of the enclosure, you will not receive an inaccurate reading. It needs to be placed centrally within the enclosure for best/accurate readings. Also, if it is not a digital hygrometer with a probe, it is probably always wrong. The best way to maintain a healthy amount of humidity within an enclosure, is with the use of live plants.
  5. The glass enclosure is not the best for your particular species of chameleon. I know that people think humidity is a crucial factor in regards to which enclosure to purchase...but the chameleon you are wanting to keep should be the deciding factor in this. You have a Veiled Chameleon and they do not require as much humidity as let's say montane species or even panther chameleons. So, the enclosure you have him in is a sure fire way to cause your cham to get a URI if these wet conditions don't change.
  6. Are the temperatures you gave ambient or basking?
I know this seems like a lot, but I promise you all these steps are imperative for your chameleon's well being. Please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need. Everyone here on the Forums wants to help you and your cham.
 
Last edited:
JGuinan007 said:
I pretty new here but I think your set up is the worst check this out https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/enclosures/ I hope you have an anole
Click to expand...
I'm sorry for that I guess your new and I was really ignorant to the husbandry of chameleons when I first bought mine on impulse back in august from a big chain store that had a sale on baby chams for $29. They are very different from other lizards I had growing up. Lucky for me I found this site and read a lot and got great info from experts that helped me make a good home for our cham. Since your here you will too, but that cage needs to be addressed right away.
 
Welcome to the forum!
It would be helpful to see photos of your setup and your chameleon. It would also be helpful if you would answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum so we can check out that information.
 
The red light is used bc without it the temp would be in the 60's at night the red light keeps it around 70-75. And once he is awake I'll take the green carpet out and remove the water bowl. The ambient temp is around 70-75 and basking around 80 higher up. If I remove the carpet and water can he hold off for a couple of days. I'm going to get a screen cage and a drip system to ensure he will be okay. But I'm confused to where all the water will go when it's always dripping for a screen cage
 
Noahtb54 said:
The red light is used bc without it the temp would be in the 60's at night the red light keeps it around 70-75. And once he is awake I'll take the green carpet out and remove the water bowl. The ambient temp is around 70-75 and basking around 80 higher up. If I remove the carpet and water can he hold off for a couple of days. I'm going to get a screen cage and a drip system to ensure he will be okay. But I'm confused to where all the water will go when it's always dripping for a screen cage
Click to expand...
So
jpowell86 said:
Okay, this is going to be quite a bit...but all necessary.

  1. Remove the green carpet at the bottom. This is going to hold excess moisture that will grow all sorts of nasty bacteria that is not good for your chameleon.
  2. Remove the red night light immediately. Chameleons need a drop in temperature each night....it's a must. The red light serves absolutely no purpose and if left on during the day could cause serious burns to your chameleon as they do not associate heat that is not coupled with visible light.
  3. Remove the water bowl immediately from your enclosure. Chameleons will not drink from a bowl. They drink water droplets that are on leaves within their enclosures. This is accomplished through multiple mistings each day...either by hand or by automated misting devices. Once again, the water bowl will basically turn into a chameleon toilet and another source of bacteria.
  4. If your humidity gauge is placed at the top of the enclosure, you will not receive an inaccurate reading. It needs to be placed centrally within the enclosure for best/accurate readings. Also, if it is not a digital hygrometer with a probe, it is probably always wrong. The best way to maintain a healthy amount of humidity within an enclosure, is with the use of live plants.
  5. The glass enclosure is not the best for your particular species of chameleon. I know that people think humidity is a crucial factor in regards to which enclosure to purchase...but the chameleon you are wanting to keep should be the deciding factor in this. You have a Veiled Chameleon and they do not require as much humidity as let's say montane species or even panther chameleons. So, the enclosure you have him in is a sure fire way to cause your cham to get a URI if these wet conditions don't change.
  6. Are the temperatures you gave ambient or basking?
I know this seems like a lot, but I promise you all these steps are imperative for your chameleon's well being. Please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need. Everyone here on the Forums wants to help you and your cham.
Click to expand...
For now I'll do those things until I get ahold of a screen cage in the next couple of days. Then I will set it up like you said. The pet store lady most of not had any idea what she was doing. She picked out all the stuff for me and told me this was good for my Cham... Now I know what to do and I will work on changing all of these things. Is there anything else to do to keep him safe and happy???
 
kinyonga said:
Welcome to the forum!
It would be helpful to see photos of your setup and your chameleon. It would also be helpful if you would answer the questions in the how to ask for help thread at the top of the health forum so we can check out that information.
Click to expand...
This is my setup from the pet store. How's it look? Sorry the pic is bad quality he's sleeping right now
 

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