Noob question

[Animal]

Hey everyone,
So Im completely new to the whole chameleon ownership thing, and so far think I have the basics down, but still have a few really noobish questions...
How do you know when your cham is "happy"? (other than turning green?)
Mine has been eating really well, and although I havent seen him drink, Im assuming he is because hes eating well, and Im misting his viv 3-4 times per day. Hes pretty much constantly green, but tends to hang out towards the top alot, almost waiting for me to open the top and take him out. Is that normal? So far he seems to enjoy getting out and exploring, and stays green the whole time.
Right now I have a smaller glass viv, but am planning to get a larger mesh cage as soon as the next paycheck comes in.
Thanks for reading!

 

[Justin Carl]

What species?
How old?
The handeling I'm sure will stop once he matures.

 

[Animal]

Its a senegal chameleon, only about 5 months old (sorry I meant to include that above)

 

[Justin Carl]

Senegals are pretty calm, so he wont get mean like a veiled or panther.
I would keep handeling to a minimum.
Green is a good indication that you have a happy chameleon.
The only other way to tell is to have the dog whisper come to your house.
How is your husbandry?
Lighting?
UVA and UVB?
Basking temp?
Ambient temp?
Supplements?
What is he feeding on?
Are you gutloading feeders?

 

[Animal]

I dont have much in the way of experience with chameleons, but I have 2 cornsnakes, and a few other non reptilian species, but am trying to learn! Ive even been pulling out all the notes ive taken from my animal science classes (will be graduating in may-woohoo!) that have anything to do with chameleons just to try and learn more.

I have a "solar glo" 125 watt uva/uvb/heat bulb, and the warm side is close to 83-84, and the cool side is closer to 77. At night it drops to low 70s.
So far (only a few days) Ive only been feeding him small crickets that ive been gutloading with Flukers high calcium cricket feed mixed with t-rex calcium plus cricket feed. I have been trying to do my research on whether that is enough calcium or if I should also suppliment with extra calcium by dusting the crickets.

 

[Justin Carl]

Mercury Vapor in a glass cage.....not a good combo with chameleons.
How far away from the nearest basking branch is your MVB?
You do need some additional supplements too.
Calcium with D3 should be a priority, also a calcium without D3, and a multivitamin.

 

[Animal]

Good to know!! Ill get some more suppliments tomorrow when the petshop opens up.

Its about a foot away from the closest branch. It was way too hot if I put it any closer

 

[Animal]

by the way, thanks for the reply and help!

 

[Justin Carl]

Yea, thats not to bad.
MVB can be really powerful of you dont take precautions using them.
Do you have a screen over the roof of the cage?
No problem that why Brad made this forum.
Thank him

 

[Animal]

I have a regular mesh screen top for the tank, yep.

 

[Justin Carl]

I would get him into a fully screened cage asap.
Try to find a good aluminum screen enclosure too.
I dont think you would need anything bigger than 18x18x30.
Dont forget the supplement too.
Without D3 MBD could happen really fast.

 

[Animal]

sounds good... I have my to do list for tomorrow ready now haha

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Its a senegal chameleon, only about 5 months old (sorry I meant to include that above)

Interesting.
I am about to launch into keeping this species myself.
Senegals get a bad rap ... primarily because most available specimens are wild caught and not acclimated properly.
My plan at this point (revisions will certainly be in our future) is to keep her similarly to the way I keep my female veiled.
See this article:
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
Future plans include breeding her. Captive bred Senegals (as previously mentioned) are not often available.
This does not mean I will be abandoning my beloved C. calyptratus
Breeding projects for them in the works this year as well.
Rumor has it the new e-zine will publish soon and there will be an article on Senegals ... so watch for that.
The girl I am going to be taking care of is a long term captive of Trace's.
Actually being cared for by Kent right now.

-Brad

 

[Animal]

I finally was able to finally build my cham's new enclosure... I still need to add more foliage and the dripper, but its all done other than that- yay!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

From my current research concerning Senegals, I have learned that one thing they appreciate is a super densely planted environment.
I would add a whole lot more foliage.
Your chameleon looks really good!

-Brad

 

[Animal]

Have you found any sources in particular that give alot of info on the senegals?

 

[Animal]

and thanks for the compliment btw!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Have you found any sources in particular that give alot of info on the senegals?

There's not much out there
Most of what I am learning is coming from driving other keepers who have had them crazy!
The new e-zine will have an article devoted to the species.
How long have you had yours?
What's the gender?
Where did the animal come from?

-Brad

 

[Animal]

I just got him about a week ago from a breeder at the Havre de Grace, MD reptile show. Im not sure if its a he or she, I dont see any tarsal spurs, but Ive heard that not all male senegals have them so Im not exactly sure what to look for...
Im really looking forward to the ezine article... Im hoping I can learn ALOT more about these creatures, but youre right- theres really nothing out there about them

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Males do not have a tarsal spur.
However, there is a distinct bulge at the base of the tail (hemipenis)
Is your animal CB?
Do you have the breeder's information?

-Brad