Quite a few questions

[Sepioteuthis]

The terrariums is currently sitting on a cupboard about 90cm-100cm (35 - 40 inches) above the ground - I read eye level would be more preferrable, but I have yet to figure out a way to get it that high besides just putting a box between the cuboard and the terrarium.

The important thing is that he can perch at or above eye level when he wants to.

I'm currently misting the chameleon thrice a day, but it seems to prefer the waterfall, which I'm cleaning out every day. How should it lick the water? It seems to shoot its tongue at it the same way it would catch a cricket, is that normal?

Did you mean that this is how he drinks from the waterfall or when he's being misted?
Chameleons will stick out their tongue a little bit and sort of lick their lips when drinking under a dripper or mister. They will also lick water off leaves and branches.
At times they will also shoot at droplets when they can't get closer to them or when the movement triggers their hunting instincts, but this is not their normal way of drinking.

Hope that helps,
Suzanne

 

[Masterkazoom]

He doesn't drink the drops from the leaves, or he doesn't when I watch him. I have only seen him drink from the waterfall.

 

[Eyal]

Look, spray gently on the leaves next to him for about 4-5 minutes, three times a day. Ditch the waterfall ASAP... My friend had a cirkulator, and cleaning liquid in the water.. Cham died anyway, and it was from bacteria.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."how many times you add calcium / vitamin, what kind, etc - we have a vitamin supplement, and its in liquid form, not dust. I'm not sure if that is sufficient, as I said"...

I dust at most feedings with a phosphorous-free calcium powder. This helps to make up for the poor ratio of cal. to phos. in most feeder insects.

I also dust twice a month with a vitamin powder that has a beta carotene source of vitamin A. Beta carotene won't build up in the system. There is controversy though about whether a chameleon can convert beta carotene to vitamin A though...so some people give a little preformed vitamin A to make sure they get enough. Preformed vitamin A will build up in the system and excess preformed can prevent the D3 from doing its job and lead to MBD. I don't know what to tell you about the liquid vitamin you have since I know nothing about it.

I also dust with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder twice a month lightly since my chameleons only get UVB from tube lights. If a chameleon gets direct sun (not throught glass or plastic) then this shouldn't be necessary. D3 also builds up in the system so don't overdo it.

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are the main players in bone health and need to be in balance. Its important to look at what you gutload the insects with when looking at this.

As for watering, my chameleons will drink from the misting, but they also drink readily from a dripper.

Concerning the way I supplement and my husbandry...all I can say is that almost all my veileds live long healthy lives.

 

[ciafardo 4]

how about a small fan blowing over the top of the screen not into it i have read that this can really help the stale air thing

 

[Masterkazoom]

The fan sounds like a good idea.

My cham has finally accepted the misting, he licked off all the drops today

and about the whole supplementation thing, I'll guess its another trip to the pet store.

And I'm currently gut-loading them with carrots and lettuce. What easily aquirable veggies would you recommend?

 

[lanceman]

i find computer fans work realy well dont leave it on 24/7 though they do get a breeze in the wild just not full time. watch temps with this cuz it can cool thing off quickly
keep your tank very clean that helps a tone with bad air.
how bout live plants they r a must for glass.
i have found as well that fake ones can put off a bad rubbery plastic smell prob not good for cham either.

 

[kinyonga]

I gutload crickets with greens (dandelion, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet red pepper, sweet potato, zucchini, celery leaves, etc.).

 

[Masterkazoom]

thanks alot, a trip to the grocery store seems to be in order. And for a fan, I guess a lower speed setting would be appropiate, a computer fan is rather fast.

 

[Masterkazoom]

one more question - the coloration of the side of the head worries me - you can see it quite clearly on picture 3. Is that normal?

 

[beeze]

Looks normal to me.