New To Chameleons, Advice?

[BobberBiker]

im new to keeping chameleons so any advice on things to look out for would be good. i have read tonnes of care sheets and got the viv sorted with correct temps etc. but none seem to tell you what to look out for or how to spot if the chameleon is to hot, to cold, how much it sleeps a day, how long it should bask for etc etc. i noticed earlier my yemen chameleon was slightly brown on top... i wonder if the lighting is to high or if its normal? my basking area is about 90-95 so spot on according to the care sheets. anyway im just looking for things to look out for to ensure its health. i have only had it a day so any advice appreciated

 

[Goggles]

90-95 is for adults. You would do better at around 85 for the little one. This can be done by raising the basking light till you hit the right temp.
If you notice it sitting with it's mouth open it is trying to cool down.

 

[BobberBiker]

cheers mate il go adjust the basking light then

 

[pssh]

Are it's eyes closed? Does it often sit with it's eyes closed during the day?

 

[BobberBiker]

yeah it does, it seems to sleep alot
its been around the tank twice today and had some crickets to eat but other than that it looks alseep

 

[pssh]

Unfortunately, when a chameleon sits with it's eyes close during the day it usually means something is wrong. If you could fill this out with as much info as possible (detailed is better) others may be able to help you figure out what could be causing this.

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


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.


Pictures are helpful (very helpful!)

 

[BobberBiker]

thanks mate

Your Chameleon - yemenhas it been in your care?
Handling - once for 2 mins, previous owner handled it a few times
Feeding - micro crickets in a tub, ate a few this morning
Supplements - none so far as the tub it came in had crickets in already
Watering - i spray the plants and cham 3-4 times a day and seen it lick the plants today i also drip water in with a cup with a hole in
Fecal Description - havent seen any
History - it is 6 weeks old and i have had it almost 1 whole day

Cage Info:
Cage Type - all glass with mesh lid, 3ft long, 2ft high...will move to bigger viv in a few weeks when i move house
Lighting - standard spot light 60watt and 5% uvb geko brand
Temperature - 90-95 basking area (with thermometer under the light)
cooler end is 70ish, night time is 65-70.
Humidity - 50% with plastic cheap thing
Plants - plastic
Placement - front room, no fans or anything near by
Location - united kingdom

 

[hondataeg6]

I would suggest you go with a screen cage, and add a real plant in there.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

He can get away with using a screen/glass combo as he is in the uk not so. calif. Just lower his basking spot temps he's prob getting a little too warm. Your doing good with the 3-4 mistings a day. You do need some supplements though. Calcium without d3 use that daily Cal with d3 use that twice a month. & a multi vitamin like minerall or reptivite use that 1 time a month.

 

[BobberBiker]

cheers guys, the local shop has no dusting powder so i had to get it from ebay so hopefully be here soon. right now the basking temp is 70 with the night light on so it will be that all night. the rest of the viv is alot cooler. on all the care sheets i read it says the basking is 95-105 but everyone on the forums seems to keep the basking alot lower like mid 80's. il get the basking to mid-low 80's in the morning and see if that is any better

 

[pssh]

Turn the lght off at night. He might be sleeping during the day if the light is keeping him up all night. Even those red/purple ones can keep them up. No need for heat unless it drops below 60F for a baby, and 50F for an adult. If it does, a space heater or ceramic bulb would be better.

Baby veileds have lower basking spots than adults. Adult males should have a basking spot around 90 or so, and females can be kept at lower temps to try and prevent large clutches of eggs.

What kind of UVB light are you using? Is it linear or compact?

 

[BobberBiker]

the temp goes below 60 so i had to buy a infered bulb. il try and get a ceramic instead. i have a 24" uvb strip light which is 5%. im moving house in a few weeks so il buy another uvb tube then and a new viv which is taller

 

[Lizardlover]

the temp goes below 60 so i had to buy a infered bulb. il try and get a ceramic instead. i have a 24" uvb strip light which is 5%. im moving house in a few weeks so il buy another uvb tube then and a new viv which is taller

He will be fine as long as it does not go into the 40's.