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[StarrU12]

My fiance and i just brought home a veiled chameleon yesterday, and were worried about him eating. We tried to feed him last jught by putting crickets in a bowl and attaching it to his cage, hes 6 weeks old. He wouldnt go near them. Then we tried again this morning to feed him and he still hasnt come down to eat, what should we do? Is this concerning?

 

[Calypratus]

are they small enough for a 6 week old chameleon? Most chameleons for sale are at least a few months old.

 

[SharpShooter]

My fiance and i just brought home a veiled chameleon yesterday, and were worried about him eating. We tried to feed him last jught by putting crickets in a bowl and attaching it to his cage, hes 6 weeks old. He wouldnt go near them. Then we tried again this morning to feed him and he still hasnt come down to eat, what should we do? Is this concerning?

Fruit flies or pin head crickets if he's really small might work.

 

[StarrU12]

are they small enough for a 6 week old chameleon? Most chameleons for sale are at least a few months old.

We were told he was 6 weeks but were unsure, they just told us he was eating crickets. We got him from a petland in Ohio where we live. Heres a picture of him

 

[StarrU12]

Were just afraid that he wont eat..

 

[Calypratus]

If you just got him he might just be a little nervous. Give him some time to settle in.

 

[StarrU12]

When should we be worried that hes not eating?

 

[Calypratus]

From what it looks like your enclosure looks a little bare adding plants and vines can help chameleons feel more secure

 

[Calypratus]

judging by his size you might want to give him smaller crickets. You should try other feeders as well to see if he likes them to for ( like hornworms, superworms, roaches, moths, and a few more

 

[StarrU12]

We added more today, we plan on putting more in there. We had meal worms in there last night and he didnt want anything to do with them. We also havent handled him today because we wanted him to settle in as well, we thought he might be all worked up by being moved.

 

[Beman]

When should we be worried that hes not eating?

It can take a few days for them to settle in however at that age they are ravenous eaters. You need to make sure they are pinhead sized as mentioned already. Also I can see a few husbandry issues like your lighting that will need an immediate upgrade getting rid of the compact uvb bulb and switching to a T5 fixture with a 5.0 bulb....
Here are some additional images that are really helpful. As well as the link to your care sheet https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/
Additionally I would suggest filling out the form from this link and copy paste it into this thread so we can double check what you were told to buy and provide for him. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

 

[Calypratus]

avoid mealworms, they can cause impaction

 

[Beman]

We added more today, we plan on putting more in there. We had meal worms in there last night and he didnt want anything to do with them. We also havent handled him today because we wanted him to settle in as well, we thought he might be all worked up by being moved.

No mealworms at all they can cause impaction. There is a lot to know and do with these little guys. It can be a bit overwhelming learning everything at first but they are fantastic little things to care for. I would definitely fill out this form:
Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Beman]

We added more today, we plan on putting more in there. We had meal worms in there last night and he didnt want anything to do with them. We also havent handled him today because we wanted him to settle in as well, we thought he might be all worked up by being moved.

Also try moving the feeding cup up to the basking level he may be more comfortable eating if he is not having to travel quite so much. You will need a ton more horizontal vines. These are great and you can use tiny zip ties to attach them to the screen https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Ju...=gateway&sprefix=jungle+vines+,aps,208&sr=8-5

 

[StarrU12]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - He is a veiled Cham, Male, not sure on the age, the pet store wasnt very helpful
• Handling - As of so far we havent handled him a whole lot since yesterday feb 28th 2019, we didnt want to bother him and let him settle in.
• Feeding - We were told to feed him crickets, and they said meal worms but he hasnt eaten either since yesterday. We were told 16 a day total, 8 two times a day, we were gonna try maybe in the morning a couple hours after his light came on, and a couple hours before we turn the light off. The crickets have the orange cube things in the container with them.
• Supplements - We got the ReptiCalcium and we dust the crickets daily since hes young.
• Watering - We mist him with a spray bottle, for a couple minutes at a time, usually 3 times a day, weve seen him lick his own head and take in the water
• Fecal Description - It looks normal, he has went 2x since weve had him, he hasnt been tested for parasites that we know of
• History - nothing known

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - We have a screen cage, we just bought the reptibreeze chameleon starter kit that came with the cage and light fixture and such ill attach a photo.
• Lighting - We use the dual set up with the 5.0 UVB 13 watt Reptisun bulb in one side and the daylight blue bulb 60 watt in the other. Were doing 12 on 12 off usually 10a-10p
• Temperature - The temp ranges from 75-85 in the middle of the cage and about 90 or so at the top. Our house never goes below 70 degrees at night, we use the digital thermometer from zoo med.
• Humidity - We mist him and the plants to do humidity, weve put a shower liner on the left and ride sides of the cage to keep up the humidity,
• Plants - We are using fake plants and dried out and treated branches from.petland
• Placement - We have him on top of our dresser, not near any blowing
  
  vents but next to a window.
• Location - Southern ohio,

Current Problem - Were worried about him eating, and becoming cage aggresive.

 

[Calypratus]

What do you mean by "cage aggressive"

 

[StarrU12]

Ive heard of veiled chameleons not have a mellow attitude. Especially when you try to take them out of the cage to handle them. Ive watched a few videos on them and i learned that they have quite the attitude lol

 

[StarrU12]

This is what we were told to buy at the pet store

 

[Beman]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - He is a veiled Cham, Male, not sure on the age, the pet store wasnt very helpful
• Handling - As of so far we havent handled him a whole lot since yesterday feb 28th 2019, we didnt want to bother him and let him settle in.
• Feeding - We were told to feed him crickets, and they said meal worms but he hasnt eaten either since yesterday. We were told 16 a day total, 8 two times a day, we were gonna try maybe in the morning a couple hours after his light came on, and a couple hours before we turn the light off. The crickets have the orange cube things in the container with them.
• Supplements - We got the ReptiCalcium and we dust the crickets daily since hes young.
• Watering - We mist him with a spray bottle, for a couple minutes at a time, usually 3 times a day, weve seen him lick his own head and take in the water
• Fecal Description - It looks normal, he has went 2x since weve had him, he hasnt been tested for parasites that we know of
• History - nothing known

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - We have a screen cage, we just bought the reptibreeze chameleon starter kit that came with the cage and light fixture and such ill attach a photo.
• Lighting - We use the dual set up with the 5.0 UVB 13 watt Reptisun bulb in one side and the daylight blue bulb 60 watt in the other. Were doing 12 on 12 off usually 10a-10p
• Temperature - The temp ranges from 75-85 in the middle of the cage and about 90 or so at the top. Our house never goes below 70 degrees at night, we use the digital thermometer from zoo med.
• Humidity - We mist him and the plants to do humidity, weve put a shower liner on the left and ride sides of the cage to keep up the humidity,
• Plants - We are using fake plants and dried out and treated branches from.petland
• Placement - We have him on top of our dresser, not near any blowing View attachment 224543vents but next to a window.
• Location - Southern ohio,

Current Problem - Were worried about him eating, and becoming cage aggresive.

Ok so a few things to fix asap. Lighting as I mentioned you need a T5 fixture with a 5.0 bulb that runs the length of his cage. ( you will need to upgrade his cage size once he hits about 5-6 months to a 24x24x48) so I advice getting a 24 inch fixture now so you don't have to purchase a new one. So toss that reptisun bulb when you get the replacement T5 because it is worthless.
It is way too hot at basking for him. You want it no hotter then 85. You can either drop the wattage of the bulb to like a regular 40 watt bulb as long as it is not an LED bulb. See the image I posted.
Repticalcium at every feed is fine as long as it says without d3, you will need to add one with D3 that you only give every other week on 1 feeding as well as a vitamin given every other week on 1 feeding.
A live pothos plant will be really helpful for him as well as the humidity. Just be sure to cover the dirt with 1 inch river rock and wash the leaves of the plant off really well to remove any unwanted pesticides.
what kind of humidity levels are you getting?
Feeding.. At this age let him eat all he wants they can take down up to 40 a day! It is pretty nuts. Then when he hits about 3 months or so drop him back to 20 a day then follow the guidelines in the care sheet link I gave you. Gutloading feeders is really important as well as giving him a variety. You can purchase feeders from places like rainbowmealworms and get specific sizes. Their small phoenix worms would be good for him and they are called Black Soldier Fly Larvae or BSFL for short.

 

[Beman]

This is what we were told to buy at the pet store

Yeah that is what they tell everyone to buy. It sucks