New member and chameleon ?'s

[tharyeriobsessed89]

Hi everyone I'm new to this site and chameleon keeping. Though, I am not new to reptile keeping. I have always loved going to Repticon and other similar events. Today I bought my first chameleon. Female-veiled-2months old. I have a dome light, screen cage, lots of silk plants/vines. I have looked around the site for some information. I feel confident on most things other than getting her to eat. I'm going to go buy some small crickets tomorrow. Should I just dump them on the floor of her cage? Can I feed her fruits/veggies at this age? Thanks for any help suggestions!

 

[ISA my Veiled]

My recommendation to you for her to be sure she is eating all her food is to make a feeder. It is very simple, this video is the best one I have seen that will show you how to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_od47TlbXA

Do you have UVB also? You should have a dome light, UVB, a dripper, lots of foliage and if you can I would recommend also getting a live plant such as a Ficus or Umbrella tree. Try to not have her basking spot more than 80 degrees as later in her juvenile and even adult life will help her keep down the amount of eggs for her first infertile clutch and delay it longer. Hope this helps, I will also post a guide for you to look at that was made by our very own Jann B who is a very good keeper of Veiled Chameleons. She is fantastic and I would take just about any suggestion she would give.

Oh and for fruits and veggies, for now stick to just insects and mix up the amount of different feeders you give her.

 

[tharyeriobsessed89]

Thanks for the reply! The first day she ate 4 small crickets, today 5. I tried putting them in a cup for her to eat out of but she wouldn't. Instead, I placed one by one on the branch in front of her and she started eating! (Very exciting ) I got a 50 watt UVA bulb. I read that they needed the UVB but it can hurt them so I just bought the UVA. I am confused.. Should I go buy the UVB and use 2 bulbs? Or switch them out everyday?