New veiled (kiwi)

[amless326]

So, I stepped up from my 5 year old bearded dragon and decided to get a chameleon. I set up her large mesh cage yesterday, put in all the vines and branches (more to come, shes tiny) Added an umbrella plant and uh another plant I forgot the name of it but I made sure it was on the list of non-toxic plants that are okay for a chameleon. Anyway, I know the move was stressful, considering she went from a tiny cage from the pet store to an enormous one. I've read from other treads that she might not eat for a couple of days... but shes not drinking water either. I added a small cricket in there earlier and 3 small mealworms in a bowl (plan on ordering silkworms later... it's still too cold outside I live in the midwest and I know later on humidity wont be an issue, but for right now i'm having an issue with it. It's about 70F in the house right now, I have an 18" uv light and a 75w bulb in there and its about 78-85 degrees in there, depending on the spot.

So, i'm thinking about adding a few towels or a sheet around three sides...is that a good idea? I'm just concerned for her as the humidity has been sitting about 40 all day, but raised when I added a boiled wash cloth in there for a few minutes. I sprayed it 3 times today also... (trust me I made sure the cloth was no where near her haha) Any tips? Anything I'm doing wrong? I'm not an expert on tropical pets but I did do my research before purchasing.

here she is, poor girl is shedding.

 

[ir0k]

well first off congrats on your chameleon. she looks very cool, albeit shedding

Im not sure if your having trouble keeping your humidity or are trying to add it to help with her shed. But anyhow, The increase in humidity helps with shedding. but im kind of on the side of letting them go it alone. I do increase mistings but, don't worry, they will shed. Just make sure there is no areas that are shedding that might be cutting of circulation. Im sure you already know this info.

Anyways, as far as her not drinking, I haven't seen my chams drink much either. A better question to ask of you is what her poop looks like? specifically what her urates look like. white? yellow? orange?

 

[amless326]

Thanks for your response I just got her today, so I haven't seen her poo yet. (I'll def update when she does poo, and how often should that happen?) I was actually just trying to raise the humidity in her cage because I felt like 40 was too low, and with it being a mesh cage it would just keep escaping. I was kind of wondering if a higher humidity would help with shedding and now I know. I always put my dragon in a warm bath to help her shedding to make her more comfy.

I really just want to know if everything looks/sounds alright? I know they are a little harder to care for than my dragon... kinda bummed that they shouldn't be handled all that much but, I do plan on taking her outside on nice hot humid days

 

[ir0k]

Yea I've never had a beardie before but I do know chameleons are a bit different in how they should be treated and handled.

Anyways. Hey check link out and please read it thoroughly and then reread it. Its a care sheet on veild chameleons from this website.

I do not have any veilds but I do have panther chameleons and I do refer back to my caresheet even now to see if there is any info I might have overlooked or forgotten.

In this thread should be everything you need to know about a veilds temp range and humidity.

Kind of a bad time (although not your fault) on your cham shedding the day you got her...LOL. Sometimes things work out like that. IMO, I would totally let her have a good week of no touching. just feed, water and clean the cage when you feel like its bad. Chams are a little weird when shedding and add that to a new home......she is bound to be pretty stressed..

good luck with that link and I hope it helps you immensely, the one for panther chameleons has helped me.

good luck again

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[amless326]

Thanks again, I did read the websites care sheets I got her to drink from a spoon...she was uninterested in water from the spray bottle on the leaves. So, then I tried to put a mealworm on the spoon and she hissed at it and it fell off haha... ( which is weird because I can only get the dragon to drink out of my palm or buy putting drops constantly on her nose...spoiled) Shes just staying up in the very top corner. But, i'm glad she had a drink. I'm waiting for her to poo still. On around day 4-5 not eating I might become super concerned And I haven't touched her since I put her in the cage. I'll try getting her a little tamed after shes okay with the environment and eating properly.