New to the game

[Fullthrottle]

Hey all, I am new to the chameleon world I did do as much research before buying one and usualy catch myself reading daily something new! This site is awesome for into. Wanted to ask few questions already but little looking around lot of same issues so very helpful good people.

Chameleon
A little info about my chameleon.
Her name is kharris, she's a veiled chameleon, I got her about 2 weeks ago from sadly pet smart (not the best place I think) but where I live u have 3 places to go and one is pretty horrible sadly to say and other is super expensive so I choice pet smart but anyways. To add others ones barely keep chameleons too or I would have went to place I trust and wouldn't order me one :S
Size
Had her 2weeks she's about 2, 2 1/2 inches from mouth to tail (dont know her age, so I amuse she's not even 5-6months. Fill me in if wrong.
Food
I do all the recommended for feeding dust crickets, gutload, give them fruits, veggies. Chameleon eats about 7-12 crickets daily. Gave him different worms few times doesn't like wax worms so much others loves it it seems but more so as treat cuz so fatty
Mist
I mist multiple times a day with doing it for 3-5mintues until all is soaked good (fighting humidity from being so low)
Cage
18x36x18 with back and one side covered with plastic bag to keep in humidity a little. Change weekly, lot of branches a few fake huge leaves more so to keep water on for drinking for her, jade plant, spider plant, a vine can't remember name atm but all recommend for chameleons so she does have lots of climbing and hiding.
I know the cage is big so I blocked half off but she never went down low so I just removed all lower so she couldnt go down. Big dipper dripping different times of day so there are times I don't run it.

Heat
I use a double lighting kit so has uvb and heat during day and a single outlet for night which is quite high from cage cuz night does stay around 60-70 in the house. Night light is red
Heat during day is around 85-95 for basking area and cooler in different spots night is around 75-85 basking area (doesn't hang there durning night, just trying give u best idea of heat) also kinda wondering if too warm at night but she doesn't go to hottest nor coolest spot so I figured she happy at night.

Now I think I covered everything about her If not ask I'll fill u in but what I'm here to ask is yesterday and today I notice on her head it looks Wet or shiny or oily. Yesterday I notice but didn't research or look around cuz I figured dripper dripped on her but after waking up today she still looks wet shiny etc and I haven't misted nor dripper on yet so now I'm nervous something is going on I tired feeding her she usualy climbs down to where I jimmy rigged so she can crawl down a branch and get food outta food dish I made for her so easy simple catch and I know what she's eating. She didn't eat today I know they can go about 2days about not eating but the wetness and not eating now is making me really worried I love her lots and really hope it's normal. Any ideas suggestions I tired getting picture but she obsly doesn't like the camera I will sneak in and get one when she faces me I tired twice and she kinda runs away and hides and peaks at me to see what I'm doing haha

 

[EarlMT]

Hey all, I am new to the chameleon world I did do as much research before buying one and usualy catch myself reading daily something new! This site is awesome for into. Wanted to ask few questions already but little looking around lot of same issues so very helpful good people.

Chameleon
A little info about my chameleon.
Her name is kharris, she's a veiled chameleon, I got her about 2 weeks ago from sadly pet smart (not the best place I think) but where I live u have 3 places to go and one is pretty horrible sadly to say and other is super expensive so I choice pet smart but anyways. To add others ones barely keep chameleons too or I would have went to place I trust and wouldn't order me one :S
Size
Had her 2weeks she's about 2, 2 1/2 inches from mouth to tail (dont know her age, so I amuse she's not even 5-6months. Fill me in if wrong.
Food
I do all the recommended for feeding dust crickets, gutload, give them fruits, veggies. Chameleon eats about 7-12 crickets daily. Gave him different worms few times doesn't like wax worms so much others loves it it seems but more so as treat cuz so fatty
Mist
I mist multiple times a day with doing it for 3-5mintues until all is soaked good (fighting humidity from being so low)
Cage
18x36x18 with back and one side covered with plastic bag to keep in humidity a little. Change weekly, lot of branches a few fake huge leaves more so to keep water on for drinking for her, jade plant, spider plant, a vine can't remember name atm but all recommend for chameleons so she does have lots of climbing and hiding.
I know the cage is big so I blocked half off but she never went down low so I just removed all lower so she couldnt go down. Big dipper dripping different times of day so there are times I don't run it.

Heat
I use a double lighting kit so has uvb and heat during day and a single outlet for night which is quite high from cage cuz night does stay around 60-70 in the house. Night light is red
Heat during day is around 85-95 for basking area and cooler in different spots night is around 75-85 basking area (doesn't hang there durning night, just trying give u best idea of heat) also kinda wondering if too warm at night but she doesn't go to hottest nor coolest spot so I figured she happy at night.

Now I think I covered everything about her If not ask I'll fill u in but what I'm here to ask is yesterday and today I notice on her head it looks Wet or shiny or oily. Yesterday I notice but didn't research or look around cuz I figured dripper dripped on her but after waking up today she still looks wet shiny etc and I haven't misted nor dripper on yet so now I'm nervous something is going on I tired feeding her she usualy climbs down to where I jimmy rigged so she can crawl down a branch and get food outta food dish I made for her so easy simple catch and I know what she's eating. She didn't eat today I know they can go about 2days about not eating but the wetness and not eating now is making me really worried I love her lots and really hope it's normal. Any ideas suggestions I tired getting picture but she obsly doesn't like the camera I will sneak in and get one when she faces me I tired twice and she kinda runs away and hides and peaks at me to see what I'm doing haha

Has she shed yet since you have her? Mine looks oily as you described when he's about to shed and generally doesn't eat that day

 

[Fullthrottle]

Thanks for reply.
No she hasnt shed yet
My picture says images are to large. Only sent One off my Sony Xperia performance??

 

[EarlMT]

Thanks for reply.
No she hasnt shed yet
My picture says images are to large. Only sent One off my Sony Xperia performance??

I bet she's going to shed soon but I'm no expert. Just keep putting some insects in there during the day just in case she's hungry and when mine starts his shed i mist more often to help him get it off even spraying more of it on him!

 

[Fullthrottle]

Okay thanks alot hopefully that's all. Like her lots and I guess I'm more of a worry freak then anything.
Anyone else's input would be great too. Thanks

 

[timw1]

You should ditch the red light at night, that could interfere with sleeping. They also need the cooler temp at night.

 

[Fullthrottle]

You should ditch the red light at night, that could interfere with sleeping. They also need the cooler temp at night.

Thanks for the reply.
I was debating that last few days. Ive read lot about they can take all the way down to 40 at night and I did see the red or black lights are bad for eyes at night and trouble sleeping but I'm just nervous about no light cuz there are nights I even wake up to a cold breeze to find the wife leaving a window open in the house somewhere
I live in Canada and it's the end of winter not so yet but soon spring so still cold outside most days well everyday it's Canada haha

 

[timw1]

I live in the northeast USA, so it's cold here too. We made a homemade felt cover to attach to the sides at night. It keeps out any cold breeze and gives the chameleon darkness and privacy. The felt works great, as it sticks to the velcro strips we installed. I can take a pic and show you what I've done if you wish.

 

[Fullthrottle]

I live in the northeast USA, so it's cold here too. We made a homemade felt cover to attach to the sides at night. It keeps out any cold breeze and gives the chameleon darkness and privacy. The felt works great, as it sticks to the velcro strips we installed. I can take a pic and show you what I've done if you wish.

Yes I would love to see
Sounds like a really good idea.

 

[timw1]

 

[timw1]

 

[timw1]

The last pic shows the velcro strips if you look close. The felt sticks to the velcro like a boss.

 

[Fullthrottle]

View attachment 177010

Super great idea. Good man tim
Going do same

 

[timw1]

The felt was bought at a craft store.

 

[ChamLB]

You can sub out the light bulb for a ceramic heat emitter if you really need to to maintain overnight temps. You only need to use them during the coldest hours of the night usually. Hardest part is monitoring overnight temps.(yawn)

 

[Fullthrottle]

You can sub out the light bulb for a ceramic heat emitter if you really need to to maintain overnight temps. You only need to use them during the coldest hours of the night usually. Hardest part is monitoring overnight temps.(yawn)

Thanks for the reply
I knew I should of went with the ceramic, won't lie was more for selfishness cause the colour. I did add lots of plants for her to hide shade etc.

 

[Furciferocious]

double lighting kit so has uvb and heat during day

What is this double light kit with UVB? Is it a two-dome thing with a coil UVB bulb?

 

[Fullthrottle]

What is this double light kit with UVB? Is it a two-dome thing with a coil UVB bulb?

Thanks for the reply
Just holds two bulbs. Probly a actual name for the fixture haha I would send a picture but my phone pixel and images are too large it says and tired playing with it and still won't work.
Sure alot of you use them?!!?
They are dome ish yes

 

[Furciferocious]

Just holds two bulbs. Probly a actual name for the fixture haha I would send a picture but my phone pixel and images are too large it says and tired playing with it and still won't work.
Sure alot of you use them?!!?
They are dome ish yes

The coil, or compact fluorescent, UV bulbs are generally considered to be inadequate for chameleons. You want a linear T5HO UV bulb.

More opportunities for learning:
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/An-In-Depth-Look-At-UV-Light-And-Its-Proper-Use-With-Reptiles/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep-55-mbd-uvb-with-john-courteney-smith/

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the world of chameleons!

Please be aware that female veiled chameleons can lay eggs without having mated once sexually mature...so at that time they need a laying bin in the cage so they can show you when they're ready.

What specific supplements are you using and how often for each one?