Need Help Re-Doing Enclosure Please :(

[FirefighterGirl]

I got 4 flap neck babies from a dealer @ a reptile expo. Between them and what I found at the reptile show and suggestions from various breeders (that I wish I hadn't listened to now) I got them a set-up and supplies. It just doesn't seem to be working for them, and I've got one this morning that's really sluggish and it's eyes seem to be a bit sunken in. I know I want to get rid of the waterfall now for bacterial reasons, even though I clean it daily anyway. I've been finding normal poops in the cage when I clean so I assume they're eating okay though I never see them, and they always drink water when I mist them, as well as using and "ice cube drip system" in one localized area. They have basking lamp with a temp. around 90F directly under it and the cool side is usually around 75F or slightly higher with a 5.0 reptisun. I also attached a picture below.(taken @ food & misting time) Ideas... suggestions...thoughts in general? Anything's appreciated.

>The cham passed away while writing this. I think it was an upper respiratory.

 

[desultadox]

I think that UV light is no good ... I'm pretty sure you need the tube type UV light and that the other one is actually quite bad. Of course, the only type of light my chameleons have ever had was the sun, so I'm no expert there. Sunken eyes often indicates dehydration, but it could be other things. Those babies look small! How old are they? There is a certain mortality rate among baby chameleons, if those guys are less than 3 months, it's possible that chameleon just wasn't going to make it from the start. I dunno though, just guesses. Sorry for your loss. Are the other 3 doing OK?

 

[JoshCrane1]

that looks like substrate, clean that out it can cause blockage. just go back to the white bottom and maybe some newspapers or terrarium liner. what is your humidity levels? too high of humidity can cause uri problems.

 

[Julirs]

Remove the waterfall and the substrate and the compact UVB bulb. Get a linear flourescent tube.

 

[Justin Carl]

Well first let me welcome you the the forum.
Since your a firefighter, would you mind coming to my home town in Melbourne Florida?
It's getting a little out of control.

You are going to have a little work ahead of you.
Their are a couple things that need to be changed in your enclosure.
One of the things you already mentioned, the waterfall, should be taken out.
Substrate is great for making the cage look natural and pleasing to the eye, but it also has to go.
Most species of chameleons live up in the trees and rarely see the ground.
The reason most keepers dont use substrate is becuase your chameleon could be hunting and might accidently consume some.
If this happened it could cause impaction and kill you chameleons.
It looks like you using a compact flourecent bulb.
The geneal consenus is to stay away from compact bulbs.
They can cause serious eye problems.
You should replace it with a linear flourcent bulb.
ie-a reptisun 5.0 18"

Judging by the size of your flapnecks, they look a little on the young size.
Maybe a couple months old.
Are these you first chameleon?

Soon enough you will need to seperate these guys/gals into individual cages.
Chameleons aren't the most social animals as juveniles and adults.
The only exception would be copulation.

You said you are feeding them crickets and flies.
Are you gutloading your feeders?
It's true-you are what you eat.
I gutload all my feeders with carrots, sweet peppers, swet potatos, kale, squash, romaine lettuce, and apples.
Do not use tomatoes and a regular potato.

Are you dusting your feeders with any supplements?
Babies are very suceptible to over supplementing.
I quote Julirs" you dont need to shake and bake them" or make them look like little ghost crickets.
My dusting scheduel looks like this.
Most days of the month I dust 1/3 of my feeders with a light coat phosphorous free calcium.
I dust with herptive and phosphorous free calcium with D3 2 times per month.
Usually once or twice a month I will also use T-Rex Chameleon Formula.

I hope I didnt miss anything and this helps.

 

[FirefighterGirl]

I've only had them like 4 days, so I haven't given them any type of supplement yet, but I picked up a new bottle today just for them (had some from the beardeds already)but the crickets are gut-loaded. The second baby just died a few minutes ago. And yeah, they're itty-bitty guys. I had a Jackson's chameleon that was a rescue but soon after getting him and TRYING to undo everything from the pet store, the vet said his MBD was just too far gone to help him any. I've got the waterfall and substrate out thus far & no UV on right now since its night, but I have a linear in storage I can get out for them by tomorrow from the Jacksons. We got 1 baby the first day and the other 3 the second day of the show, and I'm wondering if from 2 days of stress and being left in a cold outside warehouse for 2 days is what caused it. The "fresh" guy from day one seems to be ok, the other remaining is still acting a little off.

>Another note: I was told by one breeder that moss was good for humidity, another told me it was bad and could be ingested...thoughts on this?

 

[FirefighterGirl]

Duh, I forgot to add this...I was going to go to Lowe's tomorrow too and see about getting them a live plant (most likely a hibiscus) If I wash the plant off thoroughly with distilled water (I don't like chlorine around any of my babies) and repot the plant in the eco substrate I originally purchased for them, would that be clean enough and appropriate for them?

******And THANK YOU for the helpful replies, it means a lot. Is hard when you lose little ones, especially when you feel at fault. You can try to research first, but you never know everything, or know what to ask until you get into it*********

 

[Julirs]

Wash the plant with soap and water-it is the only way to get peticides and fertilizers off. I swish mine around upside down in soapy water than rinse real well. I would also kick the temps down to 80 in the basking spot. It is easy to cook babies. UVB lighting needs to be replaced every 6 months.

 

[Vegas Chad]

When you get your plant get a 5gal bucket of soapy water, then dunk the tree in, swish about then rinse, repeat this 2-3 times until you are happy with the plants cleanliness. You might also want to consider replanting the plant to get rid of the old soil. I usually don’t do this right away, but instead just cover the soil with a shower cap. This will keep the bugs and chams out of it.

One of the most important things for lil chams is food! They are eating machines and I try to always have a crix or two in the cage for the small chameleons. Moss is good for humidity, however I put damp paper towels at the bottom of the cage to aid in this + its cheaper + easy and quick to clean + I have a giant Costco pack… lol.

Also, invest in a good light for them, a reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 will help with the UVB. You will however still need to get the correct dust to coat your bugs with.

 

[FirefighterGirl]

Ok, SOOOOO....All the substrate is gone (except for the little bits that stuck to the sticker residue I cleaned out and covered in paper towels after the picture was taken. ) Added a cleaned up, washed down, and replanted hibiscus, and they have a linear UVB that can also hold and additional basking light when needed. Then I placed the icecubes along the back open side to drip onto the flat leaves on the back side of the plant. Any better?

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Good job, I don't care for the ice cube thing chameleons don't like cold water you might turn him off to dripping water if its cold.

 

[Vegas Chad]

Lots better... Take a plane ol deli cup and poke a lil hole in it... That will usually drip for the better part of the day.

 

[FirefighterGirl]

Ok, one holey cup.

 

[FirefighterGirl]

I found the third baby dead this morning. My first one "Speedy McPetey" as he was dubbed, is doing well so far though. I got my drip set-up, what would an ideal humidity be for the little guy? Also, should I keep the basking down at 80 still?