Preparing for my first chameleon, tips appreciated
- Thread starter Traildrifterphalanx
- Start date
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
I am aware that cages/enclosures need to be properly cleaned and disinfected before introducing a new companion.
Please know I am in a time of grieving and while I appreciate your concern, I don't really appreciate being treated like I'm putting this new one in danger. I understand why you are concerned about it, but know the steps were taken. The enclosure was cleaned. I did state more cleaning can be done in the lower area, but it's not like I ignored this vital step.
No, I am unsure where you have the idea this enclosure was ever used for a bearded dragon as they require completely different enclosures. This was bought brand new a month before getting JaJa. Everything in the enclosure was all new. Everything in the enclosure was wiped down with F10 or soaked in F10 before the new one was introduced to it. For safe measures, I will be cleaning the enclosure thoroughly again this weekend as the beardie enclosures need a thorough scrub down as well.
I hope this helps put your mind at ease. I apologize if I come off sounding mean, I again fully understand the concern as no one, especially me, wants this to happen again, but I am trying to heal and I feel I'm being told I'm an idiot. Sorry for the venting.
Please know I am in a time of grieving and while I appreciate your concern, I don't really appreciate being treated like I'm putting this new one in danger. I understand why you are concerned about it, but know the steps were taken. The enclosure was cleaned. I did state more cleaning can be done in the lower area, but it's not like I ignored this vital step.
No, I am unsure where you have the idea this enclosure was ever used for a bearded dragon as they require completely different enclosures. This was bought brand new a month before getting JaJa. Everything in the enclosure was all new. Everything in the enclosure was wiped down with F10 or soaked in F10 before the new one was introduced to it. For safe measures, I will be cleaning the enclosure thoroughly again this weekend as the beardie enclosures need a thorough scrub down as well.
I hope this helps put your mind at ease. I apologize if I come off sounding mean, I again fully understand the concern as no one, especially me, wants this to happen again, but I am trying to heal and I feel I'm being told I'm an idiot. Sorry for the venting.
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
On another note, I misted the enclosure this morning and Mamool Ja did scurry away, but as soon as I put the feeding cup back in (previously sanitized, the feeders in this cup when JaJa passed were released outside,) she ate all the roaches in there (about 5-6 nymphs) so I added 4 more, and she was in the process of eating them as I left for work. This is a huge difference to JaJa's appetite. So... this brings up the question of how many should she be eating?
I will be working on setting up a smaller lay box in the enclosure this weekend. I have a large tote/lay box created for when it reaches that point and she need the larger size.
I will be working on setting up a smaller lay box in the enclosure this weekend. I have a large tote/lay box created for when it reaches that point and she need the larger size.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
She not as young as JaJa but she is still young . As many as she will eat in a short time . I feed all my babies in the Am so they have plenty of time to digest and bask . I'm sure you are as well 
. Also I don't think anyone thinks you are an idiot. I apologize if I did make you feel that way . Lots of keepers use hand misters but if she's sensitive look into a automatic Mister the droplets are very fine and I find it does have more of a dew effect . I do both for my little girl but she has breathing issues .
. Also I don't think anyone thinks you are an idiot. I apologize if I did make you feel that way . Lots of keepers use hand misters but if she's sensitive look into a automatic Mister the droplets are very fine and I find it does have more of a dew effect . I do both for my little girl but she has breathing issues .
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
I slowed Frances down around 8/9 month to every other day with basking around 82, When I suspected she was making eggs . I wanted her to have a smaller clutch .
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
No no, I didn't mean you - you've been very helpful and understanding the whole while, and I don't mean to throw anyone specific under the bus, but those comments acting as though I just stuffed a new chameleon into a contaminated enclosure was getting to me so I apologize.
Mamool was drinking the mist yesterday, and while scurrying today (moving gently away) she was opening and closing her mouth, I take it as a form of drinking. I may look into an auto mister just for convenience, however. And ok, I was looking into it more and was basically only seeing "feed everyday." She ate just 1 it looks like last night but managed to spread calcium everywhere, and ate the remainder this morning immediately. Dragon rule of thumb is feed early and no later than 2hrs before lights out, so I plan to do a lot of morning/right after work feedings.
Mamool was drinking the mist yesterday, and while scurrying today (moving gently away) she was opening and closing her mouth, I take it as a form of drinking. I may look into an auto mister just for convenience, however. And ok, I was looking into it more and was basically only seeing "feed everyday." She ate just 1 it looks like last night but managed to spread calcium everywhere, and ate the remainder this morning immediately. Dragon rule of thumb is feed early and no later than 2hrs before lights out, so I plan to do a lot of morning/right after work feedings.
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
basically I'd keep her on the same feeding schedule as the dragons though if she eats from the cup, she'll be the easier one to feed
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would slow closer around 6/7 months but currently she shows no sign of receptive colors etc. So she's likely young enough you don't have to worry too much about it. Around 8-9 feeders a day right now is likely enough for her. I still don't recommend feeding her as much as a male. But once she hits the correct age I think all you feed is 6-8 feeders a week?
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
Thank you.
I'll post some photos of her when home from work. She seems to have a little bit of a duckbill upper lip.
I purchased some outdoor "cat tents" for indoor cats for the dragons to bask outside safely (I suppose the cat can get a turn, too.) I'm going to look into getting a plant to travel around as Mamool's outdoor basking plant and shower plant so she can safely enjoy the outdoors as well.
I'll post some photos of her when home from work. She seems to have a little bit of a duckbill upper lip.
I purchased some outdoor "cat tents" for indoor cats for the dragons to bask outside safely (I suppose the cat can get a turn, too.) I'm going to look into getting a plant to travel around as Mamool's outdoor basking plant and shower plant so she can safely enjoy the outdoors as well.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Natural uvb is wonderful for Mamool . You had mentioned having her see a vet ? That's great just in case it's the beginning of mouthrot . Also it's always good to get a fecal done .
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
Yes, I have a message out to the vet to schedule an appointment. I am due to a fecal follow-up on both dragons as well.
Her eyes as I mentioned also looked a little off to me, like a tad puffy, but her entire face seems to be shedding right now so I'm unsure if that's part of it. The UVB at the store was a reptisun T8 bulb, but I am unsure the strength as it was a long bulb over multiple enclosures, including beardies, so it could be eye irritation as well if too strong.
Her eyes as I mentioned also looked a little off to me, like a tad puffy, but her entire face seems to be shedding right now so I'm unsure if that's part of it. The UVB at the store was a reptisun T8 bulb, but I am unsure the strength as it was a long bulb over multiple enclosures, including beardies, so it could be eye irritation as well if too strong.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes 10.0 , if there was not enough foliage she would not have places to hide that would be strong for a little one . Also probably was not being hydrated properly. It will be good for her to have a vet visit . Sounds like she was having a nice drink this Am that's great .
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
I'd agree on that.
There was very little foliage, if any. A clump of moss and a wire branch thing, and a dripper.
Her eyes don't seem infected as I've already begun looking into it, and they're not medically concerning, at least not yet. They just look a little irritated.
I'll be sure to mist her again once home from work, and maybe introduce her to the window pothos while I do some more detailed cleaning of the enclosure.
The vet I take my reptiles to is
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/wiscon.shtml
right at the top there, in Appleton, WI. She knows her stuff
There was very little foliage, if any. A clump of moss and a wire branch thing, and a dripper.
Her eyes don't seem infected as I've already begun looking into it, and they're not medically concerning, at least not yet. They just look a little irritated.
I'll be sure to mist her again once home from work, and maybe introduce her to the window pothos while I do some more detailed cleaning of the enclosure.
The vet I take my reptiles to is
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/wiscon.shtml
right at the top there, in Appleton, WI. She knows her stuff
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
Idk they could look puffy because your last baby wasn't well hydrated even when you got her likely and you may just be used to that? do you have a picture of her from the side? and one that includes her eyes? I agree it could just be from irritation or even something stuck in her eye? Like she may just need a flush out from the vet, which is relatively non invasive (though it may make her fussy) and easy.
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
No pics yet. I'll be running home on my lunch break (my lunch break is my pets' lunch break...) and may try and get a few uploaded before getting back to my work desk. Her eyes look hydrated but it's like her pupil isn't perfectly centered and seems a little off, like her lids are puffy
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
I'm also pretty sure her only source of heat was a red bulb that was likely left on all day/night
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Is she tracking ok ? You have a 5.0 correct I know you have plenty of foliage . @Andee do you think she should be started on a retinyl palmitate or wait for vet visit ?
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
So red light and 10.0 uvb with no foliage ouch . Ok so she could have burns . Pics will be great .
Traildrifterphalanx
Avid Member
Correct, Reptisun 5.0 t5, 14", reflector, above screen, about maybe 10" from the main basking area
I know it took her a bit to get a roach this morning. I heard her tongue hit the side of the cup but she got one on the second try, and seemed to get them all consecutively afterward, so perhaps it was trying to climb the side and then fell as she struck.
Her movements are very clear and deliberate and she otherwise looks very healthy. She is definitely a "full" body, I don't know if I'd say overweight or perfectly healthy as JaJa was a bit thin.
I know it took her a bit to get a roach this morning. I heard her tongue hit the side of the cup but she got one on the second try, and seemed to get them all consecutively afterward, so perhaps it was trying to climb the side and then fell as she struck.
Her movements are very clear and deliberate and she otherwise looks very healthy. She is definitely a "full" body, I don't know if I'd say overweight or perfectly healthy as JaJa was a bit thin.
