New Cham Setup and Routine

[Smallman88]

Chameleon: male 3 month old veiled Yemen
Owned: 2 days
Enclosure: Glass

Hello,

Just after some general advice on my set up and routine first time chameleon owner and read all sorts of advice but just want to know if I’m on the right track.

Set up: photo attached

Glass terrarium with mesh top
Artificial plants
Ambient temp from probe 27 degrees 30 in basking area
Humidity 50-80% dependant upon misting
100w heat bulb
5% uv T8 light bulb
No substrate


Routine:

Heat and uv on 7am-7pm
Misting twice daily for 2-5mins
I have a large drip on also but it only lasts 2hrs tops and I’m not sure of the benefit/if it’s needed
Feeding twice per day 5 locusts about 8am and 5 locusts around 6pm dusted in Komodo premium booster

Few questions I have:

1. Is misting twice daily okay? The location of the tank is not in direct sunlight or near a window and humidity levels appear to be around 50% on my probe.
2. Is there any advantages to having a dripper? I can’t seem to get the flow right and the water was looking on the floor so I’m just having to clean it daily.
3. Feeding - using locusts at the minute is it okay to split the feeding sessions morning and afternoon? Also should I cup feed or let him hunt? And does anyone have a opinion on Komodo Premium Booster - the man in the shop said it can be used as a all in one for daily use.
4. Feeding - he ate day 1 but the last couple of days he hasn’t been and the locusts I’ve put in are still alive jumping about. Do I keep putting more in or let him get these ones first? And is he just not eating as he’s settling in?
5. Plants - can you get away with no live plants? If not what’s the easiest plant to keep in there? Can he have too much foliage? I can never even see to spot him st the minute!

Sorry for all the questions just want to get this right from the start! Attached a photo of Lil Pascal and his set up below.

 

[timw1]

Welcome to the forum!
Misting twice a day might be ok considering you have a glass enclosure, monitor humidity.
Dripper is good, especially because you only mist twice a day.
Not familiar with Komodo products, but you need a good calcium without d3 and a good calcium with d3 plus a multivitamin. Please refer to caresheets for info on dusting.
Try to feed in the am so he has time to bask and digest.
Pothos are an easy plant to keep and is chameleon friendly.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[Chameleon Mike]

I'm sure you well have more input from other members. In my opinion:

Misting should be increased a few more time a day. I have a mister set up on a timer that comes on about an hour after the lights and off about an hour before the lights go off. With increased misting you will not need a dripper.

Live plants should be used because it helps increase humidity. You can search chameleon safe plants on the net.

You may want to get a UVB 10.0 bulb for adults. The higher UVB is helpful for penetrating the foliage.

Your basking bulb wattage seems very high. You should only need a 50 or 75 watt. The 100 watt may get to hot.

Try using crickets for feeders. Locust have a harder exoskeleton and bigger back legs and the chameleon may be turned off of feeding because of that.

A screen enclosure is typically used for chameleon. Glass could lead to respiratory problems.

Look up Care Sheets on the forums. It will be very helpful.

 

[Graves923]

Do not feed the chameleon an hour before lights out. Feed him everything in the morning. Chameleons need time to bask after a meal in order to properly digest.

 

[Smallman88]

I keep hearing mesh is better however plenty people say glass aswell can be manageable! I like the idea of the humidity being kept in better for glass, when I upgrade his enclosure when he’s outgrown this one I think I’ll go mesh tho and get a proper misting system!

He seems to have eaten all his locusts today when I was out so I think he’s eating. I’ve not seen him drink yet but I’ve tried to give a good long misting and set up a dripping area so hope this will help but he’s been hiding pretty much since he came home. Is it normal for younger ones to not be out in the open very often?

Thanks for all the advice also.