New Chameleon!!!

[SHIBILA]

Hello!
I have recently adopted a new friend and I can use some tips and opinions.
I will start with the fact that I do not know if it is a boy or a girl. If someone can tell me so I can finally give him/her a name I would really appreciate it. I have been calling it Noname.
I would also like some opinions about the habitat I made for Noname. I already noticed that there are some problems with it that I will have to fix, I want to make sure that this will be comfortable for little Noname.

 

[Remkon]

It's a boy
and he will need more branches and cover to feel at home.
Also try to mix in some life plants (non toxic ones since veilds do eat plants on occasion).

Browse the resources section of this site and find all you need to know.

 

[Peachypink]

Congrats! Noname is a little boy. You can tell by the picture of his back feet there is a little spur.

Your cage is a great start but definitely needs more horizontal branches to create more pathways for him. And add live plants. Veilds love to snack on their plants.

If you are brave, fill out the How to Ask for Help form and include as much info as you can and we can help you tweak what needs to be tweaked for a happy and healthy cham.

 

[Peachypink]

Also, I would lose the substrate. Bare floor is better so that feeders don't hide in it and so that he doesn't accidentally ingest any.

 

[Graves923]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Read this caresheet and follow it to the T. The resource section also has more detailed articles about hydration, lighting, dietary needs and supplementation.

As many will agree, do not try to take short cuts. They usually only benefit you for a short time and not the chameleon.

Good luck with the little dude

 

[SHIBILA]

It's a boy
and he will need more branches and cover to feel at home.
Also try to mix in some life plants (non toxic ones since veilds do eat plants on occasion).

Browse the resources section of this site and find all you need to know.

Thank you for the gender help! I will add more vines asap.

 

[EveryGreen]

thats a nice baby male. also substrate/laying bin is not needed as they are never down there..

 

[SHIBILA]

Thank you for the tips everyone! I will post a detailed list of what I use for the little guy soon.
I removed the substrate and added live plants, he seems to enjoy it

.

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

Great start! He's adorable!
I'm fairly new myself and this forum has been an amazing support and resource.

Search the forums for your questions, read the care sheet and fill out the info/details on your lil' guy, his care, and enclosure and then post so we can get a good idea of where to help.

You will need to get his temp/humidity right and also misting/watering set up. You may have already, but didn't mention it so I thought I'd throw it out there

Good luck!

 

[SHIBILA]

Chameleon Info: Alduin the World Eater aka Al

• Chameleon- Male, have own since February 28th,2017.
• Handling- Mainly during feeding time, sometimes for 10 minutes every three days.
• Feeding- He usually eats 3 small crickets every time I cup feed him (2 when I feed him meal-worms). I use Flucker's Cricket Quencher Calcium Fortified for the crickets. He eats twice a day, roughly around 8 am and 8 pm.
• Supplements-I coat the crickets with ZooMed's Repti Calcium, it also has D3. I use calcium for his morning feedings.
• Watering- I use a mist bottle and a Reptirain mister. The mister is set to spray every 3 hours for 45 seconds. It is aiming at the top of the cage hitting only the tall vines. I use the mist bottle throughout the day to bring the humidity to 50%, takes 1 minute.
• Fecal Description- Stool has a solid brown center with while fluids surrounding it, he has not been tested.

Cage Info: Kelsingra (points if you know where the name is from)

• Cage- His habitat is 17" x 21" x 35", the interior is treated with water proof coating. Plexiglas screen in the front, 2 1/2" x 26" mesh side for ventilation, 15 1/2" x 16" metal screen top.
• Lighting- 100 watt day bulb, 60 watt night bulb, 15 watt strip light, and a basking light. I usually run the day bulbs from 7 am to 8 pm.
• Temperature/ Humidity- I have a all living things thermometer and hygrometer to keep track of temperature and humidity. During the "day" the cool side is 85 degrees while the basking is 95-100. At night it is at 77 degrees. The humidity is 45-50% most of the time, I use the mist bottle for one minute if the humidity gets too low. The habitat floor is layered with hydro-balls.
• Plants- Yes, I have Pothos and Croton. Looking for Hibiscus soon.
• Placement- The habitat is in my room, next to a tower fan and a small vent. It stands at 57".
• Location- Denton, Texas. In a two story house.

I have read some of the care sheet and recognized some problems I already have. I would appreciate any advise to make Alduin feel comfortable and healthy. Thank you!!!

 

[ColeCham333]

I personally would not use a night light. I have heard that chameleons can see all colors- they aren't like other reptiles that can't see infared lights. Plus a drop to the lower 70's at night is natural for them. The 100 watt may be fine, but ,ost people say not to go over 75 watts. Don't want to burn lil noname haha. Also 100 degrees is a little high for his age. I'd say upper 80's is desired. once he gets bigger and older, he will require those higher temps. It's up to you, but I would suggest some horizontal branches at various levels. You can get them from outside, cut them to shape. Then to disinfect them, you can either bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or you can soak them in a 1:10 bleach to water mixture. As long as he has proper uvb lighting he is all set! Also try to get some calcium dust with no D3, as D3 should only be given every 2 weeks or so. Too much D3 can be toxic for him. I use zoo med repticalcium with no D3 or phosphorus at every feeding for my 5 month old panther. Your cage looks amazing! I am jealous of that wood finish Enjoy your chameleon, I hope to see him grow on these forums with udates

 

[SHIBILA]

I personally would not use a night light. I have heard that chameleons can see all colors- they aren't like other reptiles that can't see infared lights. Plus a drop to the lower 70's at night is natural for them. The 100 watt may be fine, but ,ost people say not to go over 75 watts. Don't want to burn lil noname haha. Also 100 degrees is a little high for his age. I'd say upper 80's is desired. once he gets bigger and older, he will require those higher temps. It's up to you, but I would suggest some horizontal branches at various levels. You can get them from outside, cut them to shape. Then to disinfect them, you can either bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or you can soak them in a 1:10 bleach to water mixture. As long as he has proper uvb lighting he is all set! Also try to get some calcium dust with no D3, as D3 should only be given every 2 weeks or so. Too much D3 can be toxic for him. I use zoo med repticalcium with no D3 or phosphorus at every feeding for my 5 month old panther. Your cage looks amazing! I am jealous of that wood finish Enjoy your chameleon, I hope to see him grow on these forums with udates

I did not know about the D3!! Thank you for the advice, I can not wait until he gets older :3

 

[CharlieCharmingo]

Chameleon Info: Alduin the World Eater aka Al

• Chameleon- Male, have own since February 28th,2017.
• Handling- Mainly during feeding time, sometimes for 10 minutes every three days.
• Feeding- He usually eats 3 small crickets every time I cup feed him (2 when I feed him meal-worms). I use Flucker's Cricket Quencher Calcium Fortified for the crickets. He eats twice a day, roughly around 8 am and 8 pm.
• Supplements-I coat the crickets with ZooMed's Repti Calcium, it also has D3. I use calcium for his morning feedings.
• Watering- I use a mist bottle and a Reptirain mister. The mister is set to spray every 3 hours for 45 seconds. It is aiming at the top of the cage hitting only the tall vines. I use the mist bottle throughout the day to bring the humidity to 50%, takes 1 minute.
• Fecal Description- Stool has a solid brown center with while fluids surrounding it, he has not been tested.

Cage Info: Kelsingra (points if you know where the name is from)

• Cage- His habitat is 17" x 21" x 35", the interior is treated with water proof coating. Plexiglas screen in the front, 2 1/2" x 26" mesh side for ventilation, 15 1/2" x 16" metal screen top.
• Lighting- 100 watt day bulb, 60 watt night bulb, 15 watt strip light, and a basking light. I usually run the day bulbs from 7 am to 8 pm.
• Temperature/ Humidity- I have a all living things thermometer and hygrometer to keep track of temperature and humidity. During the "day" the cool side is 85 degrees while the basking is 95-100. At night it is at 77 degrees. The humidity is 45-50% most of the time, I use the mist bottle for one minute if the humidity gets too low. The habitat floor is layered with hydro-balls.
• Plants- Yes, I have Pothos and Croton. Looking for Hibiscus soon.
• Placement- The habitat is in my room, next to a tower fan and a small vent. It stands at 57".
• Location- Denton, Texas. In a two story house.

I have read some of the care sheet and recognized some problems I already have. I would appreciate any advise to make Alduin feel comfortable and healthy. Thank you!!!

I see you're using the repti rain. How's that working for you? Any problems? How much of the cage does it mist?

 

[Rapunzel's Pascal]

Congratulations on your new Cham! He is gorgeous . Nice set up

 

[FancyRaptor]

Your doing good so far. Just get calcium without D3. Use that all the time except for 1 feeding every 2 weeks with Vitamins and Calcium with D3. Too much D3 can be harmful. Check out the resources on the forum for any questions as a lot is right in there.

 

[jajeanpierre]

@SHIBILA I would get rid of the hydroballs. He can ingest them. What is your purpose for having them? Maybe you want to do a fully planted bottom. Avoid the soil with perlite, especially with babies. He's very cute.

 

[Andee]

When your reptirain stops working (which I honestly hope it doesn't) but I have gone through three in a year before I just bit the bullet and bought a mist king. Definitely look into a mistking or climist. You will never be sorry for the money you spent. It's a little odd he's not eating more. But it's very likely he's just settling in and will be eating you out of house and home soon. I would definitely not go over 90 degrees even when he's older.

 

[bobbydigital]

I would recommend getting rid of the night light as another member stated. If you are really worried about it getting too cold at night use a ceramic bulb that emits heat but no light.

Also, not sure if you are doing this or not but use some fruits and veggies to gut load the crickets.
There are many forums on here on what is safe and healthy to gut load your crickets with.

 

[SHIBILA]

I see you're using the repti rain. How's that working for you? Any problems? How much of the cage does it mist?

The Reptirain works fine, the only complaint I have is that you cannot change the pressure of the mist. The mist hits two crossing vines at the top mostly, the water trickles down the leave to cover the rest. If anything his basking spot is missed.

 

[SHIBILA]

@SHIBILA I would get rid of the hydroballs. He can ingest them. What is your purpose for having them? Maybe you want to do a fully planted bottom. Avoid the soil with perlite, especially with babies. He's very cute.

I picked up the hydroballs because I was nervous about maintaining the humidity. An employee at a pet store convinced me to buy them. Aludin rarely goes to the bottom but I do like the idea of more plants.