New Chameleon!

almightykasumi

almightykasumi

Member
Hi! I'm new to the site and I came here because I just got my first chameleon about a week ago. I have 3 other lizards, 2 beardies and a leopard gecko, so I am experienced with reptiles. I just want to know if there is any beginner chameleon owner mistakes that are common to make. I got a veiled chameleon from Petco, yes...I know...not the place I should be buying from but I don't have any breeders near me. Anyways, I have a large, ventilated enclosure with vines and plants and also just installed a drip for water. She is eating well, even out of my hand already! She has used the restroom multiple times, and also, I don't use a substrate. I have a double dome light fixture with a fluorescent light and a blue day-glow bulb. The basking spot measures around 85°F, read from a digital thermometer.

I don't know how to upload a picture from my phone camera yet, but when I do, I'll post a picture of her. Her name is Momo!
 
Hi, I'm fairly new and yet to acquire a chameleon but I've been doing extensive research. My 2 cents is that u get a regular house bulb for the heat source lamp since blue day lights could cause eye problems from what I've read from jjdog or w.email his name is lol check the caresheet for veiled chameleons on here. Also u mean uvb bulb when u said fluorescent. It should be a reptisun 5.0 or reptiglo. What size cage are u using?
 
Read up on the care articles on the resource page. There is alot of great info to help you out. Everything from lighting, hydration, to specific caresheets for your chameleon.

Sounds like you're on the right course. Definitely check to see if that fluorescent bulb is a UVB or not. UVB is very important along with a good lighting schedule. UVB and basking light on for 10-12 hours every day and no lighting at night.

Are you supplementing calcium everyday? Are your feeders gutloaded with fresh dark greens and other veggies?

Common thing we always see is people feeding meal worms which can cause health issues. Along with being non nutritious, they have a hard to digest exoskeleton which could cause impaction.

One last thing, you have a dripper which is great. Also make sure you are misting the entire enclosure 2-3 times a day or more to keep humidity up.
 
Welcome @almightykasumi . Im as well new to chamealon but not scaly baby's . Chamealons are much more specialized care as @Nursemaia says . Petco likely will not have the correct care info for you . Look over the care sheet on the site . There's also amazing keepers here @Nursemaia , @jannb , or @Andee all can help you . If you have a little girl you will need a lay bin she will produce eggs wether bread or not . She will become egg bound if she does not have a place to lay .
 
If you do have a female chameleon, you will need to design a laying bin for her eggs when she reaches maturity. (If she hasn't already) They will lay eggs unfertilized just like chickens do.
 
Kristen Wilkins said:
Welcome @almightykasumi . Im as well new to chamealon but not scaly baby's . Chamealons are much more specialized care as @Nursemaia says . Petco likely will not have the correct care info for you . Look over the care sheet on the site . There's also amazing keepers here @Nursemaia , @jannb , or @Andee all can help you . If you have a little girl you will need a lay bin she will produce eggs wether bread or not . She will become egg bound if she does not have a place to lay .
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You beat me to it lol!
 
Definitely read the care pages in here! The biggest mistake I made with my first cham (also from petco) was having the basking heat too hot and not the right distance away. He burned his casque (top of the head).
 
Wow! Thanks for the quick and informative replies. I have not listened to Petco information packets as of past experiences. I am using a tall, large enclosure, not exactly how big it is, but she is a baby still so it will suit her for a while.

The fluorescent bulb does have UVB, and I can switch the Blue Day-glow bulb with a more adequate one.

I was feeding crickets and meal worms but it looks like my beardies will be enjoying a snack tonight! I dust the crickets with calcium before I put them in. I also keep them in a cricket keeper with carrots as the gut loader.

I will make sure to mist the cage.

For the egg laying bin, what substrate should I use for it. Coconut husk? That's what I used for my beardies, I mixed it with a little playsand.
 
 
almightykasumi said:
Wow! Thanks for the quick and informative replies. I have not listened to Petco information packets as of past experiences. I am using a tall, large enclosure, not exactly how big it is, but she is a baby still so it will suit her for a while.

The fluorescent bulb does have UVB, and I can switch the Blue Day-glow bulb with a more adequate one.

I was feeding crickets and meal worms but it looks like my beardies will be enjoying a snack tonight! I dust the crickets with calcium before I put them in. I also keep them in a cricket keeper with carrots as the gut loader.

I will make sure to mist the cage.

For the egg laying bin, what substrate should I use for it. Coconut husk? That's what I used for my beardies, I mixed it with a little playsand.
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Check out the links that @jannb added it will have all info needed . Organic soil is best and sand .
 
Thank you very much, everyone. This is Momo. She was angry at me in the last photo.
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almightykasumi said:
Hi! I'm new to the site and I came here because I just got my first chameleon about a week ago. I have 3 other lizards, 2 beardies and a leopard gecko, so I am experienced with reptiles. I just want to know if there is any beginner chameleon owner mistakes that are common to make. I got a veiled chameleon from Petco, yes...I know...not the place I should be buying from but I don't have any breeders near me. Anyways, I have a large, ventilated enclosure with vines and plants and also just installed a drip for water. She is eating well, even out of my hand already! She has used the restroom multiple times, and also, I don't use a substrate. I have a double dome light fixture with a fluorescent light and a blue day-glow bulb. The basking spot measures around 85°F, read from a digital thermometer.

I don't know how to upload a picture from my phone camera yet, but when I do, I'll post a picture of her. Her name is Momo!
Click to expand...
Order one online next time.PAy the extra 50$ or so from shipping and support a small business rather than a chain store. You are helping economy, and cutting off the big guy. Id much rather pay extra money to support a small business than support a money sucking chain corporation.Plus you know you will get a very healthy animal from a knowledgable and experienced breeder. Plus you have a much better guarantee on the quality and life of your pet. My parents breed dogs, and they have literally completely refunded people or paid for surgery on pets that have defects close to a year old on animals. We want a good reputation and we care about our animals. I promise buying from a reputable breeder always pays off in the long run. BUT besides that congrats on your new Chammy and best of luck!!My first reptile was a chameleon. I threw myself into a pit on the first and learned from my mistakes. My guy now is over a year old and he is doing wonderful. Love him so so much:)
 
Definitely get some live plants and invest in a mistking. Don't use substrate either. the less you have on the bottom tray the better as well.Makes for easier clean up. cleanliness is an absolute must. Always check poo and urates for hydration and para site issues. Get fecal tests done AT LEAST twice a year. If you can catch the issue before signs you can save the life of your cham if that issue ever came up. Especially with coccidia. It is a nasty nasty parasite that will take the life of your animal very quickly. We have delt with it in our pups before and unfortunately have lost a couple due to it. So if you can catch something before it gets serious id take poo samples several times a year just to be safe. Call around to different vet offices. The place near me does fecal floats for 10$ and you dont even have to bring the animal in for a visit.Just the poo. I think a huge mistake people make is not getting a vet check upon arrival. WE always make customers sign a contract in include that they have a week to get the animal to a vet to insure the 1 year health warranty on the animal. That mainly is for genetic defects. One dr. may catch something that another does not. I think it is extremely important for just a check up once a year even if they are not sick. I do notice though your chameleon looks like he has some sort of abscess on his nose from the looks of the picture. I think that calls for a vet visit right there.
 
kelly_girl199 said:
Definitely get some live plants and invest in a mistking. Don't use substrate either. the less you have on the bottom tray the better as well.Makes for easier clean up. cleanliness is an absolute must. Always check poo and urates for hydration and para site issues. Get fecal tests done AT LEAST twice a year. If you can catch the issue before signs you can save the life of your cham if that issue ever came up. Especially with coccidia. It is a nasty nasty parasite that will take the life of your animal very quickly. We have delt with it in our pups before and unfortunately have lost a couple due to it. So if you can catch something before it gets serious id take poo samples several times a year just to be safe. Call around to different vet offices. The place near me does fecal floats for 10$ and you dont even have to bring the animal in for a visit.Just the poo. I think a huge mistake people make is not getting a vet check upon arrival. WE always make customers sign a contract in include that they have a week to get the animal to a vet to insure the 1 year health warranty on the animal. That mainly is for genetic defects. One dr. may catch something that another does not. I think it is extremely important for just a check up once a year even if they are not sick. I do notice though your chameleon looks like he has some sort of abscess on his nose from the looks of the picture. I think that calls for a vet visit right there.
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UNLESS it's just shed. Pics are hard to tell.
 
Also new here, but from the pic it looks like you've got a hammock type thing for Momo. I know beardies like these, but from what I've read, chams need to be on vines, leaves or branches. The screen material can get caught in their delicate toenails and rip them out. If I am mistaken in my pic analysis, I apologize!
 
Hi, I'm new to them too but I would suggest from the picture to dust off the crystals around her nose. It's just extra stuff they don't need and it may block their nose ways.
 
Looks Nice, just a lttle suggestion sharp object out of enclosure .I see a open paper clip for hanging purposes.
Here what to use. Go throut the screen loop and zip slow , no ripping screen.
 

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The thing on her nose is definetly a stuck shed. She does not trust me enough yet to touch her head.

Yes, it was a hammock, I can remove that.

The paperclips worried me too, so just in case I cut an eraser and put the on the ends of the clips to be sure that she wouldn't harm herself.

Thanks again everyone!
 
almightykasumi said:
The thing on her nose is definetly a stuck shed. She does not trust me enough yet to touch her head.

Yes, it was a hammock, I can remove that.

The paperclips worried me too, so just in case I cut an eraser and put the on the ends of the clips to be sure that she wouldn't harm herself.

Thanks again everyone!
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I would get rid of the paper clips all together. She could too easily swallow the eraser part.
 
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