Obviously new

[Ladythrasher89]

Hello everyone, I am new to the world of these adorable lizards, I haven't actually purchased my first animal but I have begun setting up my future Veiled chameleon's cage. I am a very paranoid person so I am sure you will see and hear from me a lot in the coming weeks, sorry, I have already been lurking a bit too. So anyway I have a few questions. First, I purchased a Zilla 30x18x30 cage, a good sturdy piece of climbing wood branch, some vines and a Zoo med Repti Rapids water fall with a tiny blue LED in it. I got terrarium carpet for my substrate. I got a zoo med deep dome lamp fixture and a Zoo Med 100w self-ballasted mercury vapor powersun UV bulb that provides the full spectrum of heat and UVA/UVB, I also bought a little dripper . That is all that is in my cage right now. I am headed to the organic nursery in a few days to pick up a pothos and a croton for my buddy before he arrives.I purchased two thermometers, one digital with a probe I can hide in the basking area, and one analog duel hydrometer and thermometer to sick closer to the bottom to the cage. The basking area is reading about 95* and the bottom half is reading around 78* and about 68% humidity. I am just wanting to get some feed back on my purchases and check temp ranges with you all. Any thing else you all could suggest I pick up before my little Veiled? I just want to provide the best little home for my little new friend. Any guidance or feedback is welcome! Also should I be turning off the LED in the waterfall at night as well? do you think I need two bulbs on the top of such a wide cage? Thanks again for any help guys!

 

[bobcochran]

Temps are to high, especially for a baby, should be more like 85basking and 72 lower in the cage. Humidity is fine. Don't use a water fall unless you're willing to clean the entire thing everyday, bacteria build up. The same for your carpet, it's just going to be soggy all the time from your dripper and misting, more bacteria build up. Other wise you're on your way.
I don't know where you're going to get the baby veiled, but make sure to pick out one that's alert and moving around a lot. Ask them to feed it, so you're sure it's eating.

 

[reptileguy112]

Honestly those waterfalls are just little bacteria breeders so if you do use it make sure your chameleon doesn't drown and you need to replace the water every day. You shouldn't have any lights on at night unless its a ceramic heat emitter. Also no substrate unless its coco fiber, newspaper, or organic grass. Many reptiles loose fingers from repticarpet. You should have a uvb/uva bulb and a heat bulb around 100 watts on the top of the cage.

 

[Karliah]

I second the coco fiber substrate. When I first started out (doing everything wrong, as I was uneducated at the time) I had nothing but problems until I switched

 

[oneillchameleons]

Croton is also on the toxic list so I'd switch it out for an umbrella plant or ficus.

 

[Ladythrasher89]

Ok so I raised the bulb and that took care of the higher temps. I live in Austin Texas and went to Zoo Keeper exotics, it's the place everyone recommends they are pretty knowledgeable. I went two days in a row and a little girl cham picked me out same girl both time, she is about 4-6 months old they said. She followed me back and forth along the cage the whole time I was in the store ignoring everyone else who walked up. So I am willing to clean the waterfall every day (I am a full time student so I definitely have the time to do that). I have heard so many bad things about all substrates it makes me just want to saw screw it lol. I did purchase a second carpet so I can swap them out to keep them dry/mold free. I ended up bringing her home today (oops I was just too excited) but the cage is looking good and she is a bright happy green and has already devoured seven small/medium crickets and 4 meal worms today within 20 minutes of her being in her new cage. Thanks for the tip on the Crotons I will find something like an umbrella plant instead. The last thing I now need is the real plants. Would a hibiscus bush be a better choice instead of the croton? Ill upload some pics here for you.

 

[Ladythrasher89]

The first picture she was chasing a cricket

 

[carol5208]

Post a pic of your set up so we can make sure everything is just right. Also, a pic of your chameleon so we can check her out as well! Congrats on your new chameleon!

 

[carol5208]

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[/URL][/IMG] The second pick she was chasing a cricket

Pics are not showing up!

 

[Ladythrasher89]

I think I fixed them now, please let me know. I though a positive sign was that she ate 5 meal worms and 5 crickets today.

 

[Ladythrasher89]

Here she was "selecting" me at the store

 

[Ladythrasher89]

Ok so now I am paranoid she hasn't eaten a single cricket so far today. She had a *slightly* water poop this morning and has been up in the hottest basking area around 93* right now, but is showing zero interest in food of any kind, Should I be concerned? She is a brilliant, vibrant shade of Green with touches of yellow. I am also freaking that she may need to lay a clutch of eggs soon! Any thoughts?