I just recently decided I'd finally buy a chameleon, I've been fascinated with them for as long as I can remember and had some extra money to spend.
I did alot of research before I made any purchases, but no amount of reading can give me the experience I'm sure most of you have. I decided to go with a veiled, since apparently they are one of the hardier chameleons and don't require extreme humidity. I originally thought that I would start with one around 5 - 6 inches long, fairly young but not baby sized.. so I bought a 38 gallon Reptarium, 16.5 x 16.5 x 30". I bought vines, plants, a drip system, and a 100w PowerSunUV bulb that emits both UVA and UVB rays. This bulb is actually quite powerful and I had to raise it off the mesh because the basking spot was reaching 110 degrees, I have it around 92 atm. Here's where the problems begin..
Apparently due to Christmas and the cold weather, Chameleons are a myth in my state. I called around to every store I could find within 100 miles and finally found the ONE store that had veiled chameleons in stock. When I drove there to purchase, they were only about 2 months old (or so I was told) and are a couple inches long. I'm worried that the enclosure I have her in is too large, and she wont be able to hold on to some of the larger vines to move around and find her food.
Another problem is she isn't going to the basking spot, but climbing up the plants that are actually higher, but slightly outside of the bulbs direct range.. I'm worried that shes putting herself in harms way and could get burned, will they let themselves get burned or will she recognize it and move down/further away? I'm not certain exactly how hot it gets, and can't put the thermometer on leaves to tell =\
Also, I can't seem to find a good spot in the top half of the enclosure to put the Crickets without them being cooked by the light or in range of her tongue.. I held the cup in front of her for about 5 minutes and she finally ate a cricket, but I know she requires many crickets per day at such a young age. Will she learn where the crickets are on her own if I leave them closer to the bottom? And if so, can she reach them? The bowl is about 3 inches deep, and a couple inches away from anything she would hang on. I have to leave, but before I go to bed tonight and turn the lights off I'll offer her a few more up close.
I've only had her for about an hour now, so maybe she'll get settled in and relax from the stress of the shit hole store that didn't know a thing about proper care, and the care ride home. I just don't want to cause her any harm or neglect, so please, any advice you may have would be much appreciated.
If necessary I'll try to take some pictures of the enclosure and upload them.
I did alot of research before I made any purchases, but no amount of reading can give me the experience I'm sure most of you have. I decided to go with a veiled, since apparently they are one of the hardier chameleons and don't require extreme humidity. I originally thought that I would start with one around 5 - 6 inches long, fairly young but not baby sized.. so I bought a 38 gallon Reptarium, 16.5 x 16.5 x 30". I bought vines, plants, a drip system, and a 100w PowerSunUV bulb that emits both UVA and UVB rays. This bulb is actually quite powerful and I had to raise it off the mesh because the basking spot was reaching 110 degrees, I have it around 92 atm. Here's where the problems begin..
Apparently due to Christmas and the cold weather, Chameleons are a myth in my state. I called around to every store I could find within 100 miles and finally found the ONE store that had veiled chameleons in stock. When I drove there to purchase, they were only about 2 months old (or so I was told) and are a couple inches long. I'm worried that the enclosure I have her in is too large, and she wont be able to hold on to some of the larger vines to move around and find her food.
Another problem is she isn't going to the basking spot, but climbing up the plants that are actually higher, but slightly outside of the bulbs direct range.. I'm worried that shes putting herself in harms way and could get burned, will they let themselves get burned or will she recognize it and move down/further away? I'm not certain exactly how hot it gets, and can't put the thermometer on leaves to tell =\
Also, I can't seem to find a good spot in the top half of the enclosure to put the Crickets without them being cooked by the light or in range of her tongue.. I held the cup in front of her for about 5 minutes and she finally ate a cricket, but I know she requires many crickets per day at such a young age. Will she learn where the crickets are on her own if I leave them closer to the bottom? And if so, can she reach them? The bowl is about 3 inches deep, and a couple inches away from anything she would hang on. I have to leave, but before I go to bed tonight and turn the lights off I'll offer her a few more up close.
I've only had her for about an hour now, so maybe she'll get settled in and relax from the stress of the shit hole store that didn't know a thing about proper care, and the care ride home. I just don't want to cause her any harm or neglect, so please, any advice you may have would be much appreciated.
If necessary I'll try to take some pictures of the enclosure and upload them.
