Cberbs90
Member
Hello all!
My names Connor, I live in buffalo NY! Ive wanted a chameleon for about 5 years now and up until sunday i never had the courage to buy one. Just alot of research (hoping i dont get ripped apart here) and admiration for those who keep them!
Anyways we had a reptile expo here this weekend so i went with every intention of buying my first veiled cham. (despite desperately wanting a panther) I kept all the notes for healthy looking creatures handy and made my way there. The first vendor i approached had a nice looking one but he was really pressuring me (it was CB) so much soo that he picked the poor thing up by its back and started stroking it to make it express some color. It made me furious so i walked away and continued my venture. A bit later and a ton of poorly treated creatures later i came across a woman who was patient and willing to talk with me, answer all my questions and help me get set up. Although i ended up with a panther chameleon instead of a veiled ( i wanted a panther from the get go as mentioned ) i felt most comfortable with her as my option. Her chams were healthy looking, not dehydrated, had all their toes, they were mobile and walking right so i pulled the trigger buying a male that was born on July 2, 2018.
So here i am, a giant ball of stress wanting to absorb as much knowledge and guidance as possible. Its been 3 days. Day one i brought him home and got him into the bigger custom unit and then let him b to relieve stress. Woke up the next morning with his UVB coming on at 8am (ending at 10pm) and gave feeding him a chance. Put ten dusted (rapeshi calcium) small crickets (who are gut loaded with organic mustard greens and apple for this months feeding cycle) free range into the cage within an hour or so he had just about ate them all. His Basking light came on at 10am (shuts off at 930pm) which he made his way over too and after a few hours looks to have made a healthy bowel movement (white urates present). Hes moving around frequently and doesnt seem to stressed out unless im misting. I have an exo terra spray bottle (with an auto mister on the way), that i mist the cage with 3 to 4 times a day. Buffalos Humidity levels at the moment are at 81%. Today has been just about the same routine except i only placed 8 crickets in to the cage. With the night winding down it would appear he has gotten them all. Im sure i missed something but ive always kept saltwater fish(and corals SPS and LPS) and appreciated the hard work you had to put into them so i knew i could at least transfer the love for not being able to handle my guy as much as i would like too and giving him space.
Either way here is some photos and specs:
The cage is custom its 16 inches wide and 30 inches tall with a main door and a bottom door separated so i can slide the bottom out and clean without much stress on him.
Reptisun 5 UVB bulb
50 Watt Basking bulb
I added a vine to the custom built enclosure with a bear bottom
The auto mister is on its way as well as a proper digital humidity gauge.
Hes in my sun room (will be moved into the main house once our terrible winter starts) that has a ton of real plants in it as well.. i saw him trying to snag a little fly outside of the screen earlier which was funny.
I bought some pothos for him and used the proper cleaning method and re-potted it with natural organic soil that i plan to place into the cage tomorrow. I think the umbrella plant is to big for the cage.
He seems fine and although im scared to death hell die any moment i only have one real concern you will see on his nose. tiny white spot i uploaded into one of the photos.
I will have adequate Temp gauges within the week for you to all critique as well.
excuse the jimmy rig at the top with the rulers, The stand for the UVB bulb was not tall enough and i didn't want to clip it because it would not be facing completely down, so i am currently in the works of constructing something
My names Connor, I live in buffalo NY! Ive wanted a chameleon for about 5 years now and up until sunday i never had the courage to buy one. Just alot of research (hoping i dont get ripped apart here) and admiration for those who keep them!
Anyways we had a reptile expo here this weekend so i went with every intention of buying my first veiled cham. (despite desperately wanting a panther) I kept all the notes for healthy looking creatures handy and made my way there. The first vendor i approached had a nice looking one but he was really pressuring me (it was CB) so much soo that he picked the poor thing up by its back and started stroking it to make it express some color. It made me furious so i walked away and continued my venture. A bit later and a ton of poorly treated creatures later i came across a woman who was patient and willing to talk with me, answer all my questions and help me get set up. Although i ended up with a panther chameleon instead of a veiled ( i wanted a panther from the get go as mentioned ) i felt most comfortable with her as my option. Her chams were healthy looking, not dehydrated, had all their toes, they were mobile and walking right so i pulled the trigger buying a male that was born on July 2, 2018.
So here i am, a giant ball of stress wanting to absorb as much knowledge and guidance as possible. Its been 3 days. Day one i brought him home and got him into the bigger custom unit and then let him b to relieve stress. Woke up the next morning with his UVB coming on at 8am (ending at 10pm) and gave feeding him a chance. Put ten dusted (rapeshi calcium) small crickets (who are gut loaded with organic mustard greens and apple for this months feeding cycle) free range into the cage within an hour or so he had just about ate them all. His Basking light came on at 10am (shuts off at 930pm) which he made his way over too and after a few hours looks to have made a healthy bowel movement (white urates present). Hes moving around frequently and doesnt seem to stressed out unless im misting. I have an exo terra spray bottle (with an auto mister on the way), that i mist the cage with 3 to 4 times a day. Buffalos Humidity levels at the moment are at 81%. Today has been just about the same routine except i only placed 8 crickets in to the cage. With the night winding down it would appear he has gotten them all. Im sure i missed something but ive always kept saltwater fish(and corals SPS and LPS) and appreciated the hard work you had to put into them so i knew i could at least transfer the love for not being able to handle my guy as much as i would like too and giving him space.
Either way here is some photos and specs:
The cage is custom its 16 inches wide and 30 inches tall with a main door and a bottom door separated so i can slide the bottom out and clean without much stress on him.
Reptisun 5 UVB bulb
50 Watt Basking bulb
I added a vine to the custom built enclosure with a bear bottom
The auto mister is on its way as well as a proper digital humidity gauge.
Hes in my sun room (will be moved into the main house once our terrible winter starts) that has a ton of real plants in it as well.. i saw him trying to snag a little fly outside of the screen earlier which was funny.
I bought some pothos for him and used the proper cleaning method and re-potted it with natural organic soil that i plan to place into the cage tomorrow. I think the umbrella plant is to big for the cage.
He seems fine and although im scared to death hell die any moment i only have one real concern you will see on his nose. tiny white spot i uploaded into one of the photos.
I will have adequate Temp gauges within the week for you to all critique as well.
excuse the jimmy rig at the top with the rulers, The stand for the UVB bulb was not tall enough and i didn't want to clip it because it would not be facing completely down, so i am currently in the works of constructing something
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