New Cham Owner

[sheilahinkley]

Hey! I am a new owner, my 2-3 month old veiled arrived yesterday morning and I have some questions. I've read a lot discussing the use of a water dish and as long as it catches the light they will learn to drink from it, true? I have offered a dish and I've been heavily misting him to be sure he is well hydrated. My enclosure is 18x 18x 36. I'm a little concerned this may be too large but within minutes of me placing him in his new enclosure he ate a cricket. Should I try to hand feed him or feed him out of a cup even though its only day two to ensure hes eating enough? I also have two live plants with him, and umbrella and pathos. I purchased reptivite and a calcium supplement. I plan on dusting three times weekly with the reptivite and once a week with the calcium. Good plan? Final question is how you recommend housing crickets? Mine are currently just in the bag they came in at the pet store but they obviously won't fare well in this.

 

[brittbritt]

I have a large Tupperware type bin that has small air holes drilled all over the lid of it that I keep my crickets in. From what I've read it's rare for a chameleon to drink from a water dish. I mist my guy about four times a day and when he's thirsty I see him drink the water droplets off the leaves and vines. I place the mealworms and other type worms he eats in a small little cup to help keep up with how many of those he eats. When I feed crickets I put them in a deeper cup as mine doesn't seem to like to hunt them like some like to do.

 

[sheilahinkley]

Thank you! The tupperware is most likely what I'll do. I have been misting hime, probably four times yesterday and I plan to do the same thing today. I will most likely try to make a dripper system and if that doesn't work I'll purchase one.

 

[hkitchen]

Dust the feeders at least every other feeding with the calcium (no D3) and then with D3 at twice a month and vitamins twice a month is what you will see most people do. The crickets will only last a few hours or so in the plastic bag. YOu will also need to get other types of feeders so your chameleon doesn't get bored and stop eating.

 

[sheilahinkley]

I planned on getting some silkworms and I have meal worms but what other feeders do you suggest?

 

[hkitchen]

Mealworms can be hard for them to digest so go easy with those. Hornworms and butterworms are also good ones to have, I use superworms on occasion as well as roaches.

 

[Peachypink]

I like to feed Dubia roaches. They are super easy to keep, don't smell or die off like crickets do and are a great staple. Hornworms, butterworms, waxworms, phoenix worms are good to add in the mix. I also feed mealworms only on occasion, one or two a week, their exoskeleton is hard to digest so they are a treat only feeder.

 

[sheilahinkley]

Dubia roaches are illegal where I live unfortunately, everyone keeps saying how great they are

 

[carol5208]

Dubia roaches are illegal where I live unfortunately, everyone keeps saying how great they are

Do you live in Florida? I do and I know they are illegal here. I am getting very tired of crickets and thinking about trying discoid roaches. They are legal and don't creep me out the like the Dubia so much.

 

[sheilahinkley]

Yeah, the crickets smell worse than anticipated. I haven't heard anything about discoid roaches everyone just keeps saying how great dubia are.

 

[Peachypink]

Discoids are good as well. Very similar to the Dubia

 

[kiwilulu]

Discoids are very similar to dubias and they are legal in Fl
Check with Nick Barta here in the forum, he can guide you and point you to the best feeders.

 

[guanagator]

Discoids and green banana roaches are both legal in Florida, the discoids will get substantially bigger than the Dubia that's the only difference I've noticed.

 

[Mrs Deku]

I'm sorry to interrupt, but could anyone look at my Chameleon for me? I just brought him home yesterday and I'm worried because I can't really tell if he's comfortable in his home or not. I have a cat who was outside his cage a few minutes ago when I woke up, so I'm afraid she keeps scaring him. Please help me.