New chameleon owner. Pictures inside!
- Thread starter Electus unus
- Start date
Electus unus
New Member
Tommy, please don't take offense. I wasn't trying to come off rude. I appreciate every bit of help. Just wanted to rule the calcium out. That's not what caused this anyways.
Electus unus
New Member
That's why I originally picked him. His pattern was strikingThats rather strange, he's the same size as mine, but he seems to have way more adult characteristics. I thought he was an adult, until I saw him on the finger. Every Cham is different.
brownie64
Avid Member
I would guess him to be over 5 months old based on his adult coloration. His size has ben stunted do to the MBD that's why his casque is so small. He had the condition long before you got him. If I were you I would take him to a good reptile vet though like jannb said they can give him stronger calcium through a shot, and liquid that can stop progression of the MBD faster,
Orcawhale
Member
He's very Handsome!
trickedoutbiker
Avid Member
Those are just a gimmick. you can use the regular standard household incandescent bulbs. Much much cheaper. Those Zoo Med bulbs are like $7-$9 a piece from what I've seen, and for that same price, you can get a package of four 100 watt household incandescent bulbs. They give off the same amount of heat. Saves money
Have no lights at night. Get rid of it! Just because you may not think it is bright, doesn't mean that your cham is okay with it. They have a Photoreceptor cell on the top of their heads that senses light, and ANY light at all will disturb them. You want total darkness at night. "Why would they sell night bulbs if not for use at night?" --- It's because OTHER REPTILES may require heat at night, but not your chameleon. A temp drop into the middle or lower 60's is fine. It's actually quite good for them. The only way you would want heat at night, is if the temps go below 60 degrees. And if then, you would want to get a ceramic heater because it puts off no light at all.
As for the UVB light.... you already said you are going to go out and get one, and so long as you do, I will refrain from hammering ya about how important that light is to the survival of your chameleon.
brownie64
Avid Member
Might be a burn not sure. Might want to start your own thread in the health clinic forum so others can give their opinion as well I'll leave a link.https://www.chameleonforums.com/forums/health-clinic.7/
Fill out an ask for help form while you are there I'll leave a link for that as well. We can better asses what is going on that way and can help you and your cham better.https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes, you are correct! He needs UVB to process the calcium. He has been lacking that so that is why he has MBD. His legs do not look too bad compared to some I have seen on here. How long have you had this guy? Is three months a guess on his age? I think he is older because of his colors and patterns. At 3 months, he would not have the distinct barring he has already. He may be slightly stunted from the lack of UVB. Glad you found us and can get him started on the uvb lighting. Where do you live? If it is warm, you can take him out in the sun. That will do wonders for him.
JGuinan007
Avid Member
Looks like a bruise I saw once before from someone grabbing (never grab/squeeze a cham they are fragile) a cham too tight and broke some ribs. I hope its just a bruise. Oh snap! this is Electus unus thread you should start your own just sayin it would be more polite
Electus unus
New Member
I have my repti sun 10 uvb t5 and backup bulbs on the way and no longer have the Cham he's back in the hands of the store until my light gets hereThose are just a gimmick. you can use the regular standard household incandescent bulbs. Much much cheaper. Those Zoo Med bulbs are like $7-$9 a piece from what I've seen, and for that same price, you can get a package of four 100 watt household incandescent bulbs. They give off the same amount of heat. Saves money
Have no lights at night. Get rid of it! Just because you may not think it is bright, doesn't mean that your cham is okay with it. They have a Photoreceptor cell on the top of their heads that senses light, and ANY light at all will disturb them. You want total darkness at night. "Why would they sell night bulbs if not for use at night?" --- It's because OTHER REPTILES may require heat at night, but not your chameleon. A temp drop into the middle or lower 60's is fine. It's actually quite good for them. The only way you would want heat at night, is if the temps go below 60 degrees. And if then, you would want to get a ceramic heater because it puts off no light at all.
As for the UVB light.... you already said you are going to go out and get one, and so long as you do, I will refrain from hammering ya about how important that light is to the survival of your chameleon.
Electus unus
New Member
Also when I bought him a month ago I was told he was two months
Electus unus
New Member
The night bulb had a chameleon on the box :/ they shouldn't package them like this if they are not good for a chameleon....I returned it though. I was informed of how chameleons brighten up when sleeping and won't do that with the lights on in fear of being seen by a predator, thus causing them not to sleep. After hearing that, it made total since. Zoomeds package designer, however.......Those are just a gimmick. you can use the regular standard household incandescent bulbs. Much much cheaper. Those Zoo Med bulbs are like $7-$9 a piece from what I've seen, and for that same price, you can get a package of four 100 watt household incandescent bulbs. They give off the same amount of heat. Saves money
You want total darkness at night. "Why would they sell night bulbs if not for use at night?" --- It's because OTHER REPTILES may require heat at night, but not your chameleon.
.
MissMaisie
Member
It's the same with water fountains, canned bugs etc. It can be quite misleading if you don't know any better and the majority of the time you can't even ask the employees as they don't have a clue either!
Electus unus
New Member
This is true. I had a whole forum full of amazing people and info when setting up my reef tanks. Wish I had that for my Cham prior to purchase. Y'all are gonna make a respectable Cham owner of me yet!
Clint526
Member
What forum was that for your reef tanks? I just started one a couple weeks ago and it could be handy.
Orcawhale
Member
Is it on both sides?
Electus unus
New Member
If you're new or old in the hobby reefcentral is amazing. Buy sell trade discuss. Good mods. Monthly contests. It's awesome. I'm more on my local reefer forum B.A.R.S.(breads area reef society.) you'll be amazed at the deals you can find on equipment and livestock locally. Best of luck to you on that bud
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