Need help
- Thread starter Cham_love
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Thehippie
Chameleon Enthusiast
the joints as @blue_cham mentioned maybe uric acid or as I mentioned vitamin a
Thehippie
Chameleon Enthusiast
well for starters when you mist spray a small stream of water near his mouth, if that doesn't work try a shower and if that doesn't work try to syringe feed him some but make sure your careful when you syringe feed here is what I found on an older thread posted by @ferretinmyshoes "Unlike in mammals where the windpipe and esophagus are basically very close to each other in the far back of the mouth, chameleons (and most reptiles) have their windpipe at the bottom middle of the mouth and the throat is much farther back. The blue arrow points to the esophagus where the food goes. The red arrow points to the glottis, or opening of the trachea where only air should go."
Graves923
Chameleon Enthusiast
Increase your misting. 3 times per day for about 2-5 minutes each. The longer you mist the more he will be stimulated to drink. Let the cage dry out in between each misting.
If I remember correctly, swelling of the joints can be cause by low grade chronic dehydration. Make sure he is hydrating and adjusting your supplement schedule would be a good place to start. Upgrading the UVB lighting to a linear will be beneficial in the long term health of your cham.
Beautiful cham you got there! Hope he gets better soon
If I remember correctly, swelling of the joints can be cause by low grade chronic dehydration. Make sure he is hydrating and adjusting your supplement schedule would be a good place to start. Upgrading the UVB lighting to a linear will be beneficial in the long term health of your cham.
Beautiful cham you got there! Hope he gets better soon
Syreptyon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would recommend both! But if you only choose one, most definitely invest in the automated misting system
blue_cham
Established Member
The spot is stumping. I'd just keep an eye on it. See if it resolves with his next shed. If it gets worse, then get a vet opinion maybe.
I'd 100% rather a mister over a humidifier. Although I have both. I love having a mister, because if I'm away for a day or two, I know my boys are getting their water. And when combined with live plants, keeps good humidity levels. Are you having issues with your humidity?
Arpretty
Avid Member
Definitely will need a larger cage - it will make a world of a difference.
Humidity:
Wrap 3 sides of your cage in plastic. I use plastic shower curtains that I measured and cut to fit the sides. I attached using Velcro. Some people say wrapping 2 is okay. I did that, and ended up wrapping an additional side because of the dry indoor heat in the winter. So go for 3. This will help tremendously with humidity and keeping water in your cage.
Live plants are crucial (IMO). They help retain humidity, filter air, and help your chameleon feel more at home with naturalistic elements. Popular safe plants: hibiscus, ficus, umbrella plant, pothos (excellent)... there are others that are safe. I consult FL chams safe plant list when I’m buying.
The dot on your cham’s hand could be a minor burn. Does he ever scratch at the top of the cage? Could have burned his hand doing this near the lights. Common behavior if cage is too small or if your Cham is not happy with husbandry. It should come off with time & shedding.
Humidity:
Wrap 3 sides of your cage in plastic. I use plastic shower curtains that I measured and cut to fit the sides. I attached using Velcro. Some people say wrapping 2 is okay. I did that, and ended up wrapping an additional side because of the dry indoor heat in the winter. So go for 3. This will help tremendously with humidity and keeping water in your cage.
Live plants are crucial (IMO). They help retain humidity, filter air, and help your chameleon feel more at home with naturalistic elements. Popular safe plants: hibiscus, ficus, umbrella plant, pothos (excellent)... there are others that are safe. I consult FL chams safe plant list when I’m buying.
The dot on your cham’s hand could be a minor burn. Does he ever scratch at the top of the cage? Could have burned his hand doing this near the lights. Common behavior if cage is too small or if your Cham is not happy with husbandry. It should come off with time & shedding.
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blue_cham
Established Member
yeah my heater sucks what little moisture is in the air. Wrapping the sides does help, but live plants are miraculous. They hold moisture and actually realease moisture into the air. Pothos are great, can get cheap. Grow really fast, like water and shade, and they can grow thick foliage and send out vines that can be trailed around the enclosure. And hardy, I'm not a green thumb, and pothos are actually easy for me.
Live plants with a consistent misting schedule will get most people where they need to be. But of course we all live different places! Lol. So if live plants dont do the trick, wrapping should get you there. Lots of people use cut up shower curtains, you can even get a jungle print
timw1
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes, and you can cover the substrate with something like this: http://www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com/Leaf-Litter--Live-Oak-Sorted_p_1828.html
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