New Owner & new here, questions.

BlueSierra · Jun 2, 2013

Hello all, I am a new chameleon owner as of today! Yaay! Very excited to start this new & fun journey.
I would love ANY tips care wise & any other info that can be given to me.
One question I have is do you all leave the heat lamp on 24/7? I know the uvb light is 12 on & 12 off. We just turned off our light about an hour ago. She seems pretty comfortable in her new home. I tried to make it as close to the cage in the store so she felt a little more comfortable.

Also, earlier I got her out while my Husband fixed a branch that wasnt staying up and she just sat on my hand motionless and tail curled up. Eyes mostly closed. Was that normal? This was at 9 pm. It was like she was sleeping. The pet place said if the tail is curled, they are relaxed.

Thanks in advance!

Ps I say she because the store said they were pretty sure it is a female but wont be 100% for another couple weeks. He said she is about 3 weeks old.

Snootchie0210 · Jun 2, 2013

Hi and welcome.

Here's the link to the care sheets:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/

I have my heat lamp and UVB on the same timer. And sleep time for my chameleon is pretty consistent at 9pm.

But wait until the breeders chime in. You have a VERY young chameleon. They usually don't sell them until they're 3 month old. So I'm sure extra care will be needed.

Hope some of the breeders reply and wish you all the best.

sandrachameleon · Jun 2, 2013

welcome to the forum and chameleon keeping

carol5208 · Jun 2, 2013

Hello and welcome to chameleon ownership! What kind of chameleon? It is hard to tell from your pic in the avatar if that is indeed your chameleon. No heat light at night. No lights at night at all. As far as the sleeping, it is not normal for a chameleon to sleep during the day, just so you know. It is usually a sign of illness or maybe incorrect lights which could be bothering their eyes, etc. Did you take her out of the cage while she was sleeping? Post some pics of the tail area and we can tell you if you have a male or female. Three weeks is awfully young for the shop to be selling them. They should atleast be about 2-3 months old. As far as the tail curling, they will curl their tails at sleep but sometimes when they are agitated, or upset they will curl it also. So what they told you is not 100% correct.

BlueSierra · Jun 2, 2013

carol5208 said:
Hello and welcome to chameleon ownership! What kind of chameleon? It is hard to tell from your pic in the avatar if that is indeed your chameleon. No heat light at night. No lights at night at all. As far as the sleeping, it is not normal for a chameleon to sleep during the day, just so you know. It is usually a sign of illness or maybe incorrect lights which could be bothering their eyes, etc. Did you take her out of the cage while she was sleeping? Post some pics of the tail area and we can tell you if you have a male or female. Three weeks is awfully young for the shop to be selling them. They should atleast be about 2-3 months old. As far as the tail curling, they will curl their tails at sleep but sometimes when they are agitated, or upset they will curl it also. So what they told you is not 100% correct.

She is a Veiled Cham. And yes that is her in my avatar. She is very small. Are there any dangers in having one so young? Now Im a bit worried! I want to keep her in the BEsT care I can possibly do for her.

Ok so turn off both lights at night, got it! Im not sure if she was sleeping or
Not when I got her out of the cage. But she immediately climbed onto me when I stuck my hand in there, once my hand was out she climbed on my finger, curled up her tail and closed her eyes. Didn't move the whole time my Husband was fixing the vine. About 15 mins. And like I said previously, it was about 9pm. i can for sure understand her being tired since its been a long day Im sure.

I am going to try to attach the picture I took of her when she was 'sleeping' I hope it works! Let me know otherwise. Thanks for the links & the replies.

carol5208 · Jun 2, 2013

Did not mean to scare you! It is night time so hopefully she is just tired. They usually don't fall asleep in the light like that but it can happen I guess. Just watch her tomorrow and if you see her closing her eyes during the day then there is probably a problem. Male veilds have a little thing called a tarsal spur on the back of their back heel. Females do not. It is like a little spike of skin that sticks out. If you are uncertain, you can post a pic of her back feet and we will try and tell you for sure. Being that young they are a little more sensitive to lights and temperatures so you have to be careful. Why kind of lights are you using and what temps are you getting in her cage?

BlueSierra · Jun 2, 2013

carol5208 said:
Did not mean to scare you! It is night time so hopefully she is just tired. They usually don't fall asleep in the light like that but it can happen I guess. Just watch her tomorrow and if you see her closing her eyes during the day then there is probably a problem. Male veilds have a little thing called a tarsal spur on the back of their back heel. Females do not. It is like a little spike of skin that sticks out. If you are uncertain, you can post a pic of her back feet and we will try and tell you for sure. Being that young they are a little more sensitive to lights and temperatures so you have to be careful. Why kind of lights are you using and what temps are you getting in her cage?

That is what the store guy told us too as far as the spike on the foot, in males. Ill have to take a picture tomorrow or maybe a couple days down the line. I dint want to bother her while she's adjusting. But the store guy said he didn't see the spike, so thats why he was thinking female.

As far as lights go we have the dual Zoo Med lamps, a 5.0 UVB (16W) and a 75W heat light. (Red) it is the same lights they had on the cage at the store. She hung out at the top of the cage quite a bit when we first got her in there. I just dont want her to cook! Im not sure on the temp we are getting the cage but Im picking up a thermometer tomorrow when I go to get crickets.

BlueSierra · Jun 3, 2013

She is up and moving around. As soon as I turned on the lights she came out of her leaves, had a nice drink of water and is now hanging out on the side of the cage by the lights. I hope the heat part isn't to hot for her, but if it was, wouldn't she move away from it? Its the same wattage and same set up the store had her in.

carol5208 · Jun 3, 2013

Glad she seems to be doing ok. Honestly, I would change out the red bulb for a white ordinary housebulb. That is what we all use. The white simulates the sun more naturally for them than a red bulb. I have yet to figure out why they make the basking bulbs red! As far as moving, yes you would think they would move but there have many a chameleon that has gotten burned while basking on here.

BlueSierra · Jun 3, 2013

carol5208 said:
Glad she seems to be doing ok. Honestly, I would change out the red bulb for a white ordinary housebulb. That is what we all use. The white simulates the sun more naturally for them than a red bulb. I have yet to figure out why they make the basking bulbs red! As far as moving, yes you would think they would move but there have many a chameleon that has gotten burned while basking on here.

Ok So just got back from getting some crickets, I put 5 in there and so far she has eaten 2. She is in the process of stalking the rest lol. As far as supplements go I have a multi vit + D3 & a Calcium + D3, the store was putting both supplements on crickets & feeding. :/ Ive read on here that is a no no, but it is different when they are so young? Im wondering since mine is only a few weeks old she needs more supplements? What do you think. I went and looked at my local pet store and could not find a supplement that didnt have D3 in it. And it might be about 2 weeks till I can get to another reptile store. Do you have any suggestions on what to do? The crickets I just put in her cage I did not dust.
Thanks again Carol for all your help.

BlueSierra · Jun 3, 2013

Oh I forgot to add, I changed the red bulb to a 40W house bulb we have. Its pretty bright in there, you sure it wont hurt her eyes? And the temp Im getting where she hangs out under it is still almost to 90 :/ but shes not there for too long.

carol5208 · Jun 3, 2013

If you feel it is too hot and 90 really is, I would knock that down to a 25 watt. As far as the supplements, you really do not want to use too much d3 They get d3 naturally from the uvb bulb, or if you take them outside for some sun, so you don't want to give too much of that in the artificial form. I personally order mine online at LLL Reptile. I use the Sticky Tongue Farms Minerall OUTDOOR formula which contains no d3. This is just my personal preference and there are many other brands out there. That bulb should be fine as fine as your chameleon's eyes are concerned.

New Owner & new here, questions.

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