This is my first post to the forum, but I am not new to reptiles/amphibians, just new to Chameleons.
So a few days ago, my local reptile shop had a nice CB Melleri in the shop. I have kept a wide variety of reptiles/amphibians but never a Chameleon. Always wanted to keep a chameleon and did some research before buying the little guy/gal. Understood that they can be difficult, but as with many things, I know CB is much easier to deal with than WC.
They let me take the small screen cage and it has fake plants, some wood and I have a nice handled mister for now. The cage is sitting in our bedroom away from activity so he can settle in without a lot of activity.
I absolutely love the little guy and just wanted to check some parameters with more experienced keepers. In general, he is very active chasing down and nailing fruit flies and occasionally pinheads. He is very small right now (not thin) just small. I saw some of you take weight measurements, but I would be nervous trying to hold him right now at his size. I hand mist about 4 to 5 times a day. Sometimes he drinks like crazy and really enjoys it and other times it seems to aggravate him. When it seems to aggravate, I stop.
I read a bunch of threads on here and saw some like tubs. I figure if he is doing well, I don't want to stress too much moving to a new container.
Here are my parameters (temps shot using an Raytek Minitemp gun in f):
Ambient Room Temperature: 71-73
His Temperature: 80 (when shot)
Tank Temp Gradient: 71 at bottom to 94 right under heat lamp.
He does spend time mostly in top to mid level. I usually add quite a few flies or pinheads and let him hunt and don't use a feeding dish. I see him catch quite a few prey.
Here is a photo and he started to display after a few flash bursts and so I knew I already had a few good ones and stopped.
How are his colors? From what I have researched this is more along with him displaying from me opening door and taking a few shots. Otherwise looking good?
Captive Reptiles_44_67060.jpg by Lee Hoy, on Flickr
Captive Reptiles_43_67021.jpg by Lee Hoy, on Flickr
Today, I purchased a Zilla 30x18x30 inch screen cage for when he gets a bit bigger. What size should I move him from the current screen cage (much smaller that that like an 18x12x24 or so)? I also understand fake plants can be a problem for this species? How long before I should move to real? I have read that many people mist for very long times when they are older? But I would be concerned about 20 minutes of misting at this size? I know they are use to fluctuating levels of humidity throughout the day as well.
Just curious if any of you have any suggestions, thoughts, etc? I have been reading a lot online and just wanted to seek some opinions from those with experience. Thanks in advance for any other advice.
So a few days ago, my local reptile shop had a nice CB Melleri in the shop. I have kept a wide variety of reptiles/amphibians but never a Chameleon. Always wanted to keep a chameleon and did some research before buying the little guy/gal. Understood that they can be difficult, but as with many things, I know CB is much easier to deal with than WC.
They let me take the small screen cage and it has fake plants, some wood and I have a nice handled mister for now. The cage is sitting in our bedroom away from activity so he can settle in without a lot of activity.
I absolutely love the little guy and just wanted to check some parameters with more experienced keepers. In general, he is very active chasing down and nailing fruit flies and occasionally pinheads. He is very small right now (not thin) just small. I saw some of you take weight measurements, but I would be nervous trying to hold him right now at his size. I hand mist about 4 to 5 times a day. Sometimes he drinks like crazy and really enjoys it and other times it seems to aggravate him. When it seems to aggravate, I stop.
I read a bunch of threads on here and saw some like tubs. I figure if he is doing well, I don't want to stress too much moving to a new container.
Here are my parameters (temps shot using an Raytek Minitemp gun in f):
Ambient Room Temperature: 71-73
His Temperature: 80 (when shot)
Tank Temp Gradient: 71 at bottom to 94 right under heat lamp.
He does spend time mostly in top to mid level. I usually add quite a few flies or pinheads and let him hunt and don't use a feeding dish. I see him catch quite a few prey.
Here is a photo and he started to display after a few flash bursts and so I knew I already had a few good ones and stopped.
How are his colors? From what I have researched this is more along with him displaying from me opening door and taking a few shots. Otherwise looking good?
Captive Reptiles_44_67060.jpg by Lee Hoy, on Flickr
Captive Reptiles_43_67021.jpg by Lee Hoy, on Flickr
Today, I purchased a Zilla 30x18x30 inch screen cage for when he gets a bit bigger. What size should I move him from the current screen cage (much smaller that that like an 18x12x24 or so)? I also understand fake plants can be a problem for this species? How long before I should move to real? I have read that many people mist for very long times when they are older? But I would be concerned about 20 minutes of misting at this size? I know they are use to fluctuating levels of humidity throughout the day as well.
Just curious if any of you have any suggestions, thoughts, etc? I have been reading a lot online and just wanted to seek some opinions from those with experience. Thanks in advance for any other advice.
