Hello,
I thought I would finally stop lurking and say hello. I've learned much on this forum already and I have ya'll to thank for that ( I have a funny story about digging coconut substrate out of his cage at midnight the first day I got him, because I was terrified of impaction) . I think that the info I've learned on here has definitely prevented some problems, as I initially had quite a few misconceptions (I listened to a big box pet store employee for much of my info). That is my fault as much as hers, but I'm making much progress in the right way to take care of him.
That said, I'm still very much a noob at all of this and I'd like to put our info out there in case anyone has any suggestion?
I did get Mr. Miyagi at Petsmart- please don't flame me. I was rather ill informed and would never buy another reptile there again (nor any animal that wasn't a rescue animal).
Here we go~
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Male, Veiled - about 6 weeks old. I've had him for 2 weeks.
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? I've only handled him a few times. Mainly to let him get a little sun on a hibiscus plant in the front yard.
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? I'm feeding crickets and superworms. A few flightless fruit flies here and there (they are so small that I don't think he is much interested anymore though) I feed him twice a day morning and then about 6pm. I'm gutloading the crickets with a mixture of fresh grapes, mustard greens, apples and sweet potatoes. Also orange cubes as well. I feed the same mixture to my cham daily in a dish on the floor of his cage. Thus far, he doesn't seem interested, but it can't hurt.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Both pet stores in my area were out of calcium without D3, so I am spraying the crickets with Zilla calcium spray(no D3) and then I'll feed Herptivite multi-vitamins and Flukers Calcium with D3 every 2 weeks. I'll be going to a store this weekend that specializes in reptiles to see if I can get a better daily calcium supplement.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I mist twice to 3 times daily and currently just set a couple ice cubes on the top of the cage twice daily. We have a mister as well as "The little dripper" but they aren't yet set up. Today was the first day that I've actually seen Mr. Miyagi drink, but he shows no signs of dehydration.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Droppings are solid brown and white. No signs of dehydration.
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Unfortunately, I have no prior info.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Exo Terra Rainforest Habitat Kit- Glass 18x18x24. I'm aware that the glass cage is NOT ideal and I plan to remedy that very soon. I was suckered into buying it by a very ill-informed pet store employee (the same who told me that chams "drink" through their skin as well as a bunch of other nonsense). For now though Mr. Miyagi is only about 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches long- excluding his tail- and hopefully what I have will do for another month or so at least? No substrate, but I do have a sort of washable mat on the bottom. Should I remove that?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? I have a 5.0 UVB Repti-Glo compact. A 2.0 compact full spectrum Reptiglo as well as a ZooMed 100W basking lamp.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Basking spot is 90 degrees- I'm uncertain as to cage floor temps
Lowest overnight temp? about 70 degrees
How do you measure these temps? I have an ExoTerra Thermometer and Hygrometer.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? 50% on a pretty consistent basis.
How are you creating and maintaining these levels? I mist daily.
What do you use to measure humidity? Hygrometer.
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Bromeliad, Pothos, African violet, stag horn fern and birds nest fern. I believe these are all on the "safe list" I'll also add a couple large fresh mustard greens and fresh hibiscus flowers daily. Both with water droplet clinging to them for extra moisture.
Placement - Where is your cage located? My cage is in my office in a corner - I work from home.
Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? My husband and I are empty nesters, so there isn't much traffic at all.. There is an air vent in the hallway, but nothing that blows directly on the cage. The top of the cage is roughly 5 feet from the floor.
Location - Where are you geographically located? Utah.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Unfortunately, I accidently dropped him today onto a tile floor- a distance of about 4 feet. He seems fine, but I'm super afraid that I've injured him in some way. I know that chams tend to hide injury or illness so I'm worried sick about that.
The only other thing that has me slightly concerned today, is that I've noticed him opening his mouth randomly. He's done it a couple times in his cage- but then closed it immediately. When I took him outside for a little sun today, I noticed that he would open his mouth and leave it open. That said it's been very hot here - it's 7pm and still 97 degrees today. I see no signs otherwise that he is ill in any way. He eats, drinks and poops fine. He isn't crusty looking and he doesn't slobber. Oh and he isn't sleeping inappropriately either.
Any suggestion, comments or concerns please let me know?
Thank you so much!
Junebug
I thought I would finally stop lurking and say hello. I've learned much on this forum already and I have ya'll to thank for that ( I have a funny story about digging coconut substrate out of his cage at midnight the first day I got him, because I was terrified of impaction) . I think that the info I've learned on here has definitely prevented some problems, as I initially had quite a few misconceptions (I listened to a big box pet store employee for much of my info). That is my fault as much as hers, but I'm making much progress in the right way to take care of him.
That said, I'm still very much a noob at all of this and I'd like to put our info out there in case anyone has any suggestion?
I did get Mr. Miyagi at Petsmart- please don't flame me. I was rather ill informed and would never buy another reptile there again (nor any animal that wasn't a rescue animal).
Here we go~
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Male, Veiled - about 6 weeks old. I've had him for 2 weeks.
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? I've only handled him a few times. Mainly to let him get a little sun on a hibiscus plant in the front yard.
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? I'm feeding crickets and superworms. A few flightless fruit flies here and there (they are so small that I don't think he is much interested anymore though) I feed him twice a day morning and then about 6pm. I'm gutloading the crickets with a mixture of fresh grapes, mustard greens, apples and sweet potatoes. Also orange cubes as well. I feed the same mixture to my cham daily in a dish on the floor of his cage. Thus far, he doesn't seem interested, but it can't hurt.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Both pet stores in my area were out of calcium without D3, so I am spraying the crickets with Zilla calcium spray(no D3) and then I'll feed Herptivite multi-vitamins and Flukers Calcium with D3 every 2 weeks. I'll be going to a store this weekend that specializes in reptiles to see if I can get a better daily calcium supplement.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I mist twice to 3 times daily and currently just set a couple ice cubes on the top of the cage twice daily. We have a mister as well as "The little dripper" but they aren't yet set up. Today was the first day that I've actually seen Mr. Miyagi drink, but he shows no signs of dehydration.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Droppings are solid brown and white. No signs of dehydration.
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Unfortunately, I have no prior info.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Exo Terra Rainforest Habitat Kit- Glass 18x18x24. I'm aware that the glass cage is NOT ideal and I plan to remedy that very soon. I was suckered into buying it by a very ill-informed pet store employee (the same who told me that chams "drink" through their skin as well as a bunch of other nonsense). For now though Mr. Miyagi is only about 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches long- excluding his tail- and hopefully what I have will do for another month or so at least? No substrate, but I do have a sort of washable mat on the bottom. Should I remove that?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? I have a 5.0 UVB Repti-Glo compact. A 2.0 compact full spectrum Reptiglo as well as a ZooMed 100W basking lamp.
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Basking spot is 90 degrees- I'm uncertain as to cage floor temps
Lowest overnight temp? about 70 degrees
How do you measure these temps? I have an ExoTerra Thermometer and Hygrometer.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? 50% on a pretty consistent basis.
How are you creating and maintaining these levels? I mist daily.
What do you use to measure humidity? Hygrometer.
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Bromeliad, Pothos, African violet, stag horn fern and birds nest fern. I believe these are all on the "safe list" I'll also add a couple large fresh mustard greens and fresh hibiscus flowers daily. Both with water droplet clinging to them for extra moisture.
Placement - Where is your cage located? My cage is in my office in a corner - I work from home.
Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? My husband and I are empty nesters, so there isn't much traffic at all.. There is an air vent in the hallway, but nothing that blows directly on the cage. The top of the cage is roughly 5 feet from the floor.
Location - Where are you geographically located? Utah.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Unfortunately, I accidently dropped him today onto a tile floor- a distance of about 4 feet. He seems fine, but I'm super afraid that I've injured him in some way. I know that chams tend to hide injury or illness so I'm worried sick about that.
The only other thing that has me slightly concerned today, is that I've noticed him opening his mouth randomly. He's done it a couple times in his cage- but then closed it immediately. When I took him outside for a little sun today, I noticed that he would open his mouth and leave it open. That said it's been very hot here - it's 7pm and still 97 degrees today. I see no signs otherwise that he is ill in any way. He eats, drinks and poops fine. He isn't crusty looking and he doesn't slobber. Oh and he isn't sleeping inappropriately either.
Any suggestion, comments or concerns please let me know?
Thank you so much!
Junebug
