New male veiled juvie

[1derwoman]

I just bought a male veiled juvie from a reputable breeder in my area. They didn't know much about him because he was "dumped" at their door. He seems quite thin compared to the females of their own stock and similar age, and they couldn't guarantee his health. I really wanted a male and he was the only one, so I decided to take a chance because he seems otherwise healthy. He does not appear dehydrated or lethargic, and his color appears to be normal. His limbs look straight, but I'm not sure about how he reaches out and then back a couple of times before he commits to taking a step. Is that unusual? I have had him for 4 days, today being number 4. The first two days he ate heartily - about 8 dusted crickets, perhaps 10. Yesterday and today he seems less interested in eating, taking only 3 or 4 crickets. He did start a shed yesterday, so maybe that's related? I'm hoping someone can give me some suggestions on how to help him chubby up a bit so I can help him become a stronger, healthier Cham.

His habitat currently consists of a couple of large climbing sticks wrapped with fake vine. I'm going to add a couple of live plants tomorrow from a local greenhouse. Cage is screened on all 4 sides at 18x18x36. I use an automatic misting system that goes on every 4 hours for 1 minute. The fake leaves don't seem to hold water well for him to drink, so I'm wondering if I should supplement that. Right now I'm only feeding dusted and gut loaded crickets, but am planning on adding some worms - not sure what kind, yet. For lighting I have a 100w heat lamp about 6" from where my Cham basks, and a repti-sun 5.0 uvb, each on 12 hours during the day. At night I have a 60w heat lamp, which throws no light, because I tend to keep my house on the cool side.

I think that's all the info I have. Although I've been researching for a couple of months, he is my first Cham, and I'd like to do all I can to make him healthy and happy, so any advice/pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much!

 

[Daypaul]

Congratulations on your new freind! Is the light sitting directly on the screen? I started mine off like that but noticed the screen got to hot so be aware of that yours might be ok. Also I've read chams are very sensitive to lights thatwe are notI'm not sure if that night light is necessary it may keep your little buddy from sleeping well. How cold are you talking at night?

 

[Daypaul]

By the way I'm a new chameleon owner to and by no means an expert. I forgot to mention my veiled Blanche does the double step thing I think that's pretty normal I've seen lots of videos of other chams doing it I may be wrong though.

 

[Virgil1972]

By the way I'm a new chameleon owner to and by no means an expert. I forgot to mention my veiled Blanche does the double step thing I think that's pretty normal I've seen lots of videos of other chams doing it I may be wrong though.

That is your cham trying to act like a leaf blowing in the wind.

 

[Theveiled]

Can you post a picture of your cage setup so we can see how you have it and make some suggestions?

 

[1derwoman]

Congratulations on your new freind! Is the light sitting directly on the screen? I started mine off like that but noticed the screen got to hot so be aware of that yours might be ok. Also I've read chams are very sensitive to lights thatwe are notI'm not sure if that night light is necessary it may keep your little buddy from sleeping well. How cold are you talking at night?

Thanks for the reply! I'm in New Hampshire and both my husband and I run hot, so it's down to 61 during the day, 68 in the evening when we're home from work and back to 61 during the night... What do you think?

 

[1derwoman]

That is your cham trying to act like a leaf blowing in the wind.

So good to know that's normal behavior - thanks!

 

[1derwoman]

Can you post a picture of your cage setup so we can see how you have it and make some suggestions?

I will definitely take a couple of pics when I get home from work - thanks!

 

[1derwoman]

Thanks for the reply! I'm in New Hampshire and both my husband and I run hot, so it's down to 61 during the day, 68 in the evening when we're home from work and back to 61 during the night... What do you think?

Oh, also, the lamp at night gives no light, only 60w of heat...

 

[Daypaul]

Yea I think those temps would be ok for nighttime. I've read as long as its above 40°f but that is extreme at that low obviously it wouldn't be that cold in your house. Do you know your nighttime temps with the heatlight?

 

[1derwoman]

Yea I think those temps would be ok for nighttime. I've read as long as its above 40°f but that is extreme at that low obviously it wouldn't be that cold in your house. Do you know your nighttime temps with the heatlight?

I have a thermometer, but haven't set it up, yet. Tomorrow's my day off, so I'm going to find live plants, get some worms, and finish getting him all set up... I'd guess around 65, but don't know for sure, yet...

 

[1derwoman]

Can you post a picture of your cage setup so we can see how you have it and make some suggestions?

Here are pics of his habitat. The small dome light is the one that is only heat, no light. Please let me know your thoughts, and thank you so much for your time!

 

[1derwoman]

Can you post a picture of your cage setup so we can see how you have it and make some suggestions?

Also, do any of you know if it's bad to leave the uvb and heat lamps on for *more* than 12 hours?

 

[Virgil1972]

You need more plants and cover in your cage. I do not know if it is bad to leave it on more than 12 hours.

 

[1derwoman]

You need more plants and cover in your cage. I do not know if it is bad to leave it on more than 12 hours.

Thanks - I'm going out tomorrow for some live plants. I didn't want to fill it with fake plants. I leave at 0430 and get home at 1730 - I may just have to get some timers so I can time the lighting right.

 

[Virgil1972]

Thanks - I'm going out tomorrow for some live plants. I didn't want to fill it with fake plants. I leave at 0430 and get home at 1730 - I may just have to get some timers so I can time the lighting right.

Don't by the Zilla timer. I have one and it is fast. It comes on earlier and earlier everyday.

 

[Theveiled]

Also, do any of you know if it's bad to leave the uvb and heat lamps on for *more* than 12 hours?

I have my veileds cage lights on for more than 12 hours (about 13) and he seems fine. I think 12 is just a minimum. I will know for sure though on Thursday because he has a vet appointment!

 

[Virgil1972]

I have my veileds cage lights on for more than 12 hours (about 13) and he seems fine. I think 12 is just a minimum. I will know for sure though on Thursday because he has a vet appointment!

If you think about it there are plenty of days a year with longer than 12 hours of day light. I live in Wisconsin and we already have about 13 hour days right now.

 

[Daypaul]

More climbing space for your little buddy his favorite activity is climbing after all. The more the better, you can find inexpensive timers at Lowe's or even walmart.

 

[1derwoman]

More climbing space for your little buddy his favorite activity is climbing after all. The more the better, you can find inexpensive timers at Lowe's or even walmart.

Oh of course! I'll get another branch or two, as well! Thanks!