New Chameleon Owner- Need Help Please

[mbarn11]

So I finally ordered a baby female veiled chameleon (from undergroundreptiles.com) after wanting one for a couple of years. I researched a lot and made sure I'd ordered all the supplies before choosing to buy my chameleon. When I ordered the chameleon, I also ordered the cage and food (live crickets) at the same time from the same site. I thought since I was paying so much for the overnight shipping that the supplies would arrive with the chameleon. Sadly it did not. The chameleon arrived this morning and I've been keeping her in a mesh wood framed cage for the time being. The cage has a few plants ( which I cleaned). I bought a spray bottle to leave droplets in the leaves for her water source and I've seen her drink. I don't know what to feed her though. Since it's winter right now I can't really go outside to find bugs and I went and purchased some freeze dried crickets but she didn't like those. I did find a moth flying around in my house and I tried to feed that to her but she wouldn't eat it, now it's just flying around her cage. I'm in love with this little creature and I want to keep her in great health. Her cage and crickets should be coming in soon. Could someone give me advice on how to care for her until then? And maybe some future general advice? Thank you so much!

 

[mbarn11]

Here's a picture of her when I first took her out of the box, she immediately crawled around. Lately she's just been sleeping a lot.

 

[zephyra712]

I heard that chameleon may takes a few days to settle after changing environment. Dont worry too much :'d

 

[Andee]

Has she been sleeping during daylight hours? That is not healthy and not normal behavior for a chameleon at all whether new or not.

 

[Graves923]

do you have a basking light in the temporary enclosure? what are the temps in the enclosure? If its cool in there she might be reacting to that and just needs to be warmed up.

Read the caresheet for veiled chameleons here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/
This will have all the info you need to know.

Crickets are readily available at most petstores. Just ask an employee. try not to feed insects that you find outside since they may be contaminated with pesticide or other chemicals that can hurt your cham.

 

[NHenn]

I'm sorry to hear this. It is really unfortunate that first time customers like yourself keep falling into situations like this when working with some of the larger reptile dealers. These companies work on low prices with high volume and it ends up being the animals and the customers that suffer.

I would do your best to get her temp cage set up as best as possible and to run out to a pet store and get some crickets for her. If she is sleeping during the day she isn't healthy and I would discuss a return with Underground as it isn't correct under any circumstance to ship a sick / unhealthy chameleon to a customer, let alone a first time chameleon keeper.

I wish you and the little girl the best of luck!

 

[mbarn11]

Has she been sleeping during daylight hours? That is not healthy and not normal behavior for a chameleon at all whether new or not.

I checked on her on this morning and she was still asleep.i kinda moved things around in her cage slowly to see if I'd wake her up but she stayed asleep. So I carefully took her out the cage and put her on an ivy plant I have my room and she seems pretty happy now.

 

[mbarn11]

I'm sorry to hear this. It is really unfortunate that first time customers like yourself keep falling into situations like this when working with some of the larger reptile dealers. These companies work on low prices with high volume and it ends up being the animals and the customers that suffer.

I would do your best to get her temp cage set up as best as possible and to run out to a pet store and get some crickets for her. If she is sleeping during the day she isn't healthy and I would discuss a return with Underground as it isn't correct under any circumstance to ship a sick / unhealthy chameleon to a customer, let alone a first time chameleon keeper.

I wish you and the little girl the best of luck!

It was really disappointing receiving only the chameleon with none of her supplies.

I live in a really small town and our pet store only carries freeze dried insects sadly so I was planning on having the crickets automatically delivered every 2 weeks or so.

Thank you so much

 

[mbarn11]

do you have a basking light in the temporary enclosure? what are the temps in the enclosure? If its cool in there she might be reacting to that and just needs to be warmed up.

Read the caresheet for veiled chameleons here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/
This will have all the info you need to know.

Crickets are readily available at most petstores. Just ask an employee. try not to feed insects that you find outside since they may be contaminated with pesticide or other chemicals that can hurt your cham.

I've just had her by my normal lamp and by the window for sunlight. I'm going to go buy a basking lamp today

 

[Pitcard]

I've just had her by my normal lamp and by the window for sunlight. I'm going to go buy a basking lamp today

The window will not be a sufficient source of the UVB that she needs, especially being a female and needing to develop eggs at some point. The natural sunlight is nice for them asthetically, but a 5.0/10.0 tube (T8 or T50) is still an absolute must. This, as well as a correctly placed bulb for heat so she can bask comfortably. Provide cooler, shadier spots as well so she can hide if she likes.

Keep an eye on her day sleeping. A chameleon not eating for a few days after entering a new home is common. Sleeping during daylight hours is a sign of sickness or stress. Like others have said, contact the breeder about this ASAP.

 

[mbarn11]

UPDATE: I purchased a uvb light and a basking light today. And my live crickets finally arrived, still waiting on the proper cage.
My chameleon seems to be happier after sitting under the lights for a bit. I tried to hand feed her and she just hissed and bit me. Oops. I put a few crickets in her cage so she'll try to get her own food. I've seen her eating the crickets!