Veiled chameleon habitat

[DDHackett]

I have a 4-5 month old veiled chameleon and I am noticing some odd behavior from him. We have had him since June and never had any issues. We also have another veiled that doesn't have any problems......

He is in a exo-terra glass terrarium with sphagnum moss on the bottom. I just watched him eat a piece of old waste and then eat went to eat a piece of the moss. I quickly pulled it out, but wanted to know if this was safe? There was a cricket near where he was eating stuff, but not what he wanted.

Also, he has been hanging his mouth open a whole lot. I pulled his branches away from the heat lamp, so this should help with that.

Any advice is welcomed!

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

Substrate is usually not recommended because of them striking at it and becoming impacted, mold issues, kind of makes cleaning difficult also.
What is his temp basking? Males can go with about a 90 degree basking temp. You could try a smaller wattage bulb as well.

 

[DDHackett]

It's a 75W basking and it stays about 87-89. I'll remove his substrate today and just line it with paper towels.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

Is that your chams temp while basking or the spot? Because sitting there your cham will be a few inches closer to the lamp. Why I like checking my chams temp directly.
I use paper towels too very easy clean up.

 

[DDHackett]

I have a temp/humidity gauge between his uva/uvb lamp and the basking lamp about the height of his branch. It is probably warmer directly underneath the lamp.

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I use an infrared temperature gun to get my chams direct heat and I can just point at any part of the cage to tell what the temps are. Its very helpful and I know it is accurate and you can get them pretty cheap. mine was like 15 online.
Just a suggestion. I am skeptical of the reptile products sold in stores.

 

[DDHackett]

I'll look into getting one. I have adjusted a lot in his cage and everything is in order.....I just don't know why he keeps hanging his mouth open. I don't think he is too hot.

 

[Meow Kitty]

veiled are well known for trying to munch plants, little od he went after his own waste though, take out substrate and just let him rip apart his plants in his cage

 

[pinchy]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and was wondering if someone would take the time to explain how to post a new thread? Thanks!

 

[Preekoo]

Which ever sub forum your in (General, enclosures & supplies, Health clinic, etc.) there is a new thread button at the top of all the other threads to the left.

 

[pinchy]

Thank you!

 

[lysinlight87]

I'll look into getting one. I have adjusted a lot in his cage and everything is in order.....I just don't know why he keeps hanging his mouth open. I don't think he is too hot.

If he's not too hot, it could be a sign of a respiratory infection, if he doesn't just do it when under his heat lamp. Are there excess strings of saliva in his mouth?

 

[Kate]

I'll look into getting one. I have adjusted a lot in his cage and everything is in order.....I just don't know why he keeps hanging his mouth open. I don't think he is too hot.

I read that you are unsure what temp it is where he basks. It is important that you measure it accurately. Having his mouth open a lot is usually a sign of illness or he is to hot. Try raising his light up or reducing the strength of bulb and watch to see if he stops.

 

[cigdoll]

I have a 4-5 month old veiled chameleon and I am noticing some odd behavior from him. We have had him since June and never had any issues. We also have another veiled that doesn't have any problems......

He is in a exo-terra glass terrarium with sphagnum moss on the bottom. I just watched him eat a piece of old waste and then eat went to eat a piece of the moss. I quickly pulled it out, but wanted to know if this was safe? There was a cricket near where he was eating stuff, but not what he wanted.

Also, he has been hanging his mouth open a whole lot. I pulled his branches away from the heat lamp, so this should help with that.

Any advice is welcomed!

Many others here and I would recommend putting your chameleon in a screen cage to reduce chances of respiratory infection. My cham is recently going through a respiratory problem and I have him in a screen cage too, but maybe my humidity might be too high with too much misting.