New Chameleon Mom

[absolutbill]

Be prepared to have the ficus drop it's leaves - they tend to do that when you change environments on them. It doesn't mean it's dead, and the leaves will grow back, but it may be a shock. I've used corn plants the entire time I've had chameleons, and have never had a problem with them. They are hardy, and since I'm in Florida I can just break off a branch and propagate a new one on my lanai (back porch). I will also jump on the no-substrate bandwagon, but otherwise I think you are doing just fine. Best of luck with Sputnik, and I love the name!

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

Be prepared to have the ficus drop it's leaves - they tend to do that when you change environments on them. It doesn't mean it's dead, and the leaves will grow back, but it may be a shock. I've used corn plants the entire time I've had chameleons, and have never had a problem with them. They are hardy, and since I'm in Florida I can just break off a branch and propagate a new one on my lanai (back porch). I will also jump on the no-substrate bandwagon, but otherwise I think you are doing just fine. Best of luck with Sputnik, and I love the name!

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

We talked and Decided to use a form of reptile soil that will be more safe so we'll make that change over today when we put in the misting system. Thank you for your help. It's always much appreciated

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

You really should get rid of the substrate. Veileds eat all kinds of things and if it's not on purpose, it's on accident. It would be easy for Sputnik to shoot at a cricket and pick up some of that substrate with his sticky tongue. It could choke him or cause impaction.

Also, a note on the Monsoon. A lot of people here say they're not that great and break often. You may want to look into a Mistking.

Sorry to be downer.

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

I'm definitely taking your advice on the substrate. I caught him on the bottom of his cage yesterday

 

[nick barta]

Welcome to the forum!

It would be beneficial to create highways of horizontal branches for Sputnik to climb on. You can cut them to the width of the cage and hold them in place with thumbtacks through the screen.

The dual dome light you have may have a basking bulb for heat and a bulb for UVB. Many of the compact UVB bulbs are harmful to the eyes of chameleons and can cause blindness. That is why you see most of the cages with a dome light and a long florescent tube light for UVB. Go to the sponsors link in the right side of the page, go to Light Your Reptiles, and call or email Todd. Tell him what kind of bulbs you have, he will tell you if they are safe. He has the right products, and will be straight with you.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

Welcome to the forum!

It would be beneficial to create highways of horizontal branches for Sputnik to climb on. You can cut them to the width of the cage and hold them in place with thumbtacks through the screen.

The dual dome light you have may have a basking bulb for heat and a bulb for UVB. Many of the compact UVB bulbs are harmful to the eyes of chameleons and can cause blindness. That is why you see most of the cages with a dome light and a long florescent tube light for UVB. Go to the sponsors link in the right side of the page, go to Light Your Reptiles, and call or email Todd. Tell him what kind of bulbs you have, he will tell you if they are safe. He has the right products, and will be straight with you.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

We are getting in touch with our local apple orchard to get some dead branches so we can throw them in the oven to disinfect them and put them in his cage so he has more highway. Thank you very much for the tip on lighting. We've had him since Christmas day and he has been thriving. I have witnessed him drinking pooping eating and sleeping. He's grown probably an inch in the few weeks that we've had him and he has a very nice super fat tail. For my understanding most reptiles store a lot of their nutrients in their tail and it is always a good way to tell how your reptile is doing.

 

[brownie64]

If you want to keep a soil substreight it's feasible as long as you control the drainage, and it don't stay wet. I would put some large flat rocks over it though just to be on the safe side. A substreight can be beneficial when it comes to maintaining humidity, but it doesn't come without it's issues and can be harder to maintain.

 

[Sputnik's Mom]

We have had no issues with keeping up the humidity. We keep our house 45-50% (we are able to control the humidity in our home). That on top of misting him every 3-4 hours he is good to go. We also have a corn snake in another part of the house which is also a reason we control the humidity.