Setup Help Needed for Baby (teeny) veiled

[Pugtona]

I was assured by the pet shop where i purchased my chameleon, that my setup was fine, but I want to do everything right and check, I've only had my cham 24 hours, so If the setups not right I can get it sorted out

She's a little veiled, teeny baby, and seems very happy, green, alert and nomming crickets

I have the 18" exo terra (which dwarfs her as she fits on the end of my finger lol) and its packed with vines, leaves, bamboo etc. so she doesn't feel exposed.
I am also going to buy a cheese plant (and would appreciate reccommendations for other good live plants for chams)

I have a compact hood with a 5.0 UV & a 25w day glo bulb for heating.

Is this alright? The pet shop said it was a good setup for a baby, until she outgrows it, but someone then said to me I should have TWO 10.0 UVs and a heat bulb aswell......

What do I need to do?

I will be keeping her in the 18" exo terra, so bear in mind if you advise me on how to change my lighting / heating it needs to work with an 18" exo terra (i.e I can't use the 3 bulb canopy because there are 24" so won't fit on an 18" exo! )

 

[Zymurgy9]

You should fill this out. A lot more members would be able to help you.
Welcome to the Forum!




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?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[Pugtona]

I will answer as well as I can but I've only had her 24 hours!!

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Female Veiled, had her 24 hours, very young baby
Handling - Once a day, and I don't grab her, just let her wander on my hand and where she wants to go
Feeding - Brown crickets gutloaded with insect feed and fresh veg and dusted with vitamin supplement
Supplements - I dust every time I feed with nutrobal
Watering - I spray the vivarium three times a day and she drinks the dripping water off the glass
Fecal Description - No poop yet
Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? No, but she's a healty size and not sickly or underweight
History - Came from a good pet shop

Cage Info:
Cage Type - 18" exo terra
Lighting - 12 on 12 off, exo canopy with 5.0 compact UV and 25w day glo heat bulb
Temperature - 85 basking spot, drops to about 70 during the night when bulbs are off
Humidity - Spray three times a day
Plants - no live at present but plan to get a cheese plant and some others
Placement - On top of a 2ft high vivarium in low traffic room, away from radiators / fans etc. that may affect viv temps
Location - England

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

Is my setup correct?

18" exo terra viv, with light canopy containing 5.0 compact UV and a 25w day glo heat bulb, with lots of plastic plants, bamboo and wood etc. so she doesn't feel exposed

 

[EvilLost]

I'm unaware of nutrobal so I can't comment, but everything else looks good.


Most people suggest the use of screen cages for better ventilation but glass works fine (and is better if you live somewhere cold/dry). However, one caution to be watchful for is that they sometimes get aggressive/scared of their own reflection.


At adult size you will want to house her in an 18x18x36 cage, but based on your size description, you have several months before you get there.


Good live plants: Pothos (for vines, esp when they are younger); Schefflera/ficus/hibiscus all serve as great "main" plants for adult cage sizes

http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp check here for some more suggestions (don't trust that list blindly though, but its a pretty solid place to start)

 

[Pugtona]

Am I right for the UV then? to just have the one 5.0 bulb?

As I was worried when someone said they had two 10.0's for their cham....