Oustalet's Help

[Wibus]

Just got a baby Outsalet's from the reptile show in Sacramento. I have wanted a chameleon for a long time and the price/timing was just right! I didnt want a veiled but didnt want to shell out the cash for a leopard so I found one stand with one tank that had 4 Oustalet's out of the entire show! I was in love very fast.

I have him at home now and he was eating and licking leaves on his first night. He has adjusted very well. I just cannot find much information online about them. It seems they are not that popular as they are not as colorful as others. So far what i know is that they get very large but are very gentle. All chameleons change color to suit their moods but i cannot find a color/mood decoder anywhere for the Oustalet's. I also know it might not be a him because they are pretty much impossible to sex until they are older as they have to tell tale signs except their adult colors. I am just hoping for a male

My roomate is a reptile nut and I have had little lizards here and there but nothing as intricate as a chameleon so any information would help. Thanks!

P.S. - my name is Chris and my chameleon is unnamed but im leaning towards Tomo. (attached is a picture of my little guy)

 

[cricketkilla]

First off, congrats on your first cham and welcome to the forum! how old is your little guy? he looks really young from the picture. here's a form that we use here to ask for help, but I think it would be good for you to fill this out so we can get an idea of your setup and give you suggestions.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?

Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?

Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?

Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?

Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?

Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?

History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?

Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?

Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?

Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?

Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?

Location - Where are you geographically located?

I'm pretty sure that their care is quite similar to that of veileds and panthers, but I'm not 100% on that. Someone with more experience with them will probably chime in after you fill that out.

 

[Wibus]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species (Oustalet's), sex(unknown), and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care(5 days)?

Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?(have not yet, waiting about 3 weeks to mess with him to ensure that he is comfertable)

Feeding - What are you feeding your cham(crickets, roaches)? What amount(4-6/day)? What is the schedule(just about mid day)? How are you gut-loading your feeders?(no idea what that means)

Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?(3 times a week and im using the fluckers)

Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use(drip, poked a hole in an old spray bottle and have a Tupperware at the bottom of the cage)? How often and how long to you mist(about twice a day for maybe 15 seconds)? Do you see your chameleon drinking(yes)?

Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites(never tested, and brown with white?)?

History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. (none)

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions(screen, not sure of dimensions but will post a picture)?

Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule(i have a purple heat light that stays on constantly and a UV light that i turn on in the morning and off at night)?

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?

Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?

Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? (fake)

Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? (see picture)

Location - Where are you geographically located? (citrus heights, CA)

I'm pretty sure that their care is quite similar to that of veileds and panthers, but I'm not 100% on that. Someone with more experience with them will probably chime in after you fill that out.

 

[A1forall]

Congrats!!!!!

 

[bwert435]

Very awesome... Love the clock in the background too very M.C. Escher-esque

 

[cricketkilla]

Thanks for posting that! first off, what type of supplement is it that you are using? Most recommend using calcium without d3 every other feeding, calcium WITH d3 twice a month MAX, and a multivitamin like herptivite twice a month. As for lighting, you just need to use a regular house bulb or a reptile heat bulb, not coil flourescents, and a uvb light these should be put on a timer to for a cycle around 12hrs on 12hrs off . The reason you need to get rid of the night light is they need complete dark at night and the light will disrupt the sleeping pattern. As for the cage, you need to give him a few more horizontal branches or perches to bask on and some live plants will help humidity tremendously. You should also try and mist 3x a day for about a minute each session. To provide adequate water for chameleons, you usually will require a drainage sysytem of some sort. Now for food, Gutload is the food that you feed to the insects. Most recommend a dry gutload like cricket crack, and a wet gutload like repashy bug burger. If you do a forum search for "gutloading" you'll find tons of information on it.

good luck,

Trey

 

[mcbdz]

Congratulations. Cage looks good for now. You'll need to up grade when it's older. I don't know much about this breed but, sure someone will come along soon. I'll post a few links that will help for general care of most chameleon's to get you started then you'll just taylor it when you learn more about him.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
Hope this helps

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

I'm sorry calcium no d3 dust every OTHER feeding? I've read calcium no d3 EVERY feeding.

 

[tadeusz]

Hey there, looks like you have a little boy on your hands. Let me know if you have any questions on ousties... I have two 2nd generation cbb males that I've had for about 2 years now. Just pm me if you need any pointers. The one thing I would say right off the bat is to start investing in a larger cage. Ousties get very large and he will need at least a 2x2x4 after about 6-9 months. I would suggest something bigger though. As far as supplementing, I do what most suggest- everyday calcium without d3, twice a month with d3, and once per month multivitamin. When my ousties were growing, they would eat about 10-15 crickets per day, after about a year I pulled back and starting feeding every other day. Watch their weight cause they will eat and eat. Don't give a lot of fatty foods. I mix up crickets, dubias and silkworms, but mostly dubias and crickets. Congrats on the baby.

 

[Wibus]

Thanks! im sure i will be messaging you! Little Tomo crawled out onto my hand tonight. It was awesome but he didnt want to go back and i got things to do. lol. Well thanks for the info everyone!

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

I love it when my baby does that, I love Oustalet's and originally wanted one but went for a veiled instead as a "beginner chameleon". Post more pics of the new family member

 

[cricketkilla]

I'm sorry calcium no d3 dust every OTHER feeding? I've read calcium no d3 EVERY feeding.

I do every other feeding because the gutload I use for prey items is high in calcium and I try and use feeders that are high in calcium like butterworms, horns, etc.. I try to use the least amount of supplements by providing essential vitamins through gutloading and natural uvb. Just preference though, every feeding won't hurt when it comes to plain calcium, just be careful with the D3.