Vield chameleon not eating

[-Rabbit]

It's been two days and he's only ate one cricket and im starting to really worry he's a 3/4 month old vield chameleon here's an album of his cage and him
https://imgur.com/gallery/cTYAy

I have a dripper going into the cage that lands on a leaf and rolls into a cup and I mist him 3/4 times a day

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

I see a few things that should be corrected, but it would be super helpful if you could fill out the How to ask for help Form https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

How long have you had your cham?

 

[-Rabbit]

I see a few things that should be corrected, but it would be super helpful if you could fill out the How to ask for help Form https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

How long have you had your cham?

ive only had him for about two weeks

 

[-Rabbit]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - Vieled chameleon and 2 weeks
• Handling - i try to handle him every day for at least 30 minutes since he hasnt been eating i havent touched him
• Feeding - crickets. i try to feed him at least 10. i put them in at 10am every morning. and i feed them apples and carrots.
• Supplements - i only have repticalcium and i use it once a week on mondays
• Watering - a dripping system a cup and misting. i mist him 3/4 times a day. i did every once and a while not in the last 3 days
• Fecal Description - his droppings look fine solid poo with a white urate and no
• History - i got him from petco :/

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - screen 18.18.36
• Lighting - a UVB 5.0 bulb from reptisun and a incandescent bulb at 60 watts from home depo and at 7am i turn them on and at 10pm i turn them off
• Temperature - he sits around 78-80 all day and havent gotten a chance to messure his basking spot
• Humidity - he averages around 50% humidity
• Plants - i plan to get some today
• Placement - its on my desk there is a room fan that stays on low and hes about 4 feet off the floor
• Location - florida

 

[-Rabbit]

i also just remembered something he fell from his perch near the top of his cage and he hasn't eaten since then

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

Ok... ready to make a few changes? thanks for filling out the info - it will help everyone give you great advice!

First a few easy changes: you will need more foliage, vines, horizontal branches, etc. They like to feel hidden, makes them feel safe. Try to add in a real pothos which will vine out pretty quickly and help add some humidity. Your cham is pretty small - I'm guessing a little younger than you think? And the branches you have in there are a bit big for his baby feet. You'll need to add in many more (smaller in diameter) branches. It might have been why he fell. Also, the cage size is probably fine for now (fix the other things first), but just a heads up to start saving for a larger enclosure, I think the 2x2x4 is typical for a male.

Until he is settled and eating, try not to hold him every day. Let him have his space. This might be news to you (it was news to me when I first took Ophelia home), but chameleons (especially the sassy veileds) are more "Look, Don't Touch" pets. Handling them, trying to get them to warm up to you, only stresses them out. There will be plenty of time to try and "tame" him... or at least get him comfortable with you in his space, once he is established in his new home.

Crickets are fine, continue to feed the crickets a healthy gut-load so that your cham benefits from a healthy feeder. There are other things you can feed your crickets, but don't worry about it for now. Also, there are many other feeders that you might want to add it for variety. Roaches (my favs), BSFL, butter worms, wax worms, blue horned worms, super worms (don't bother with mealworms) are some suggestions.

Feeder insects should be lightly dusted with calcium (without D3 or phosphorus) at nearly every feeding, multivitamin once every 2 weeks, and calcium with D3 once every 2 weeks. Taking him into the sun a few times a week is also a good thing to do for his health.

Make sure you have a hygrometer and thermometer so that you can accurately measure the top, middle and bottom ranges. They like to move into the area that they need, so a temp range is good. I bought a heat sensor gun at Home Depot for about $20 - great investment!

I got Ophelia from Petco, too. Don't feel bad. We learn as we go. Find a reptile/exotic vet in your area and take him in for a check up. I'm in SoCal and a vet visit was around $65. It's affordable and it's good to have one ready so that, heaven forbid, if you need one you don't have to be trying to find one in an emergency. Take in a sample of the poo and get a fecal.

I think your lights are on for too long. Mine go on at 7:30pm - off at 7:30pm. On 12, off 12. Your ittle one needs more shut eye Also, start saving to invest in better lights. The ones you have are only beneficial for 4-6 months. So before you know it, you will need to change them out. If you can afford it now, get better lights now. You need a UVB bulb and a basking bulb (starting around 60-75W) but the quality bulbs are going to cost a little more than the ones you have. Do a search on this forum for lighting (for veileds) and you will get lots of ideas and suggestions.

As far as placement... they like to be higher than you. He sees you as a big predator right now, so making sure he can be higher than you (when you're standing) might help him.

 

[-Rabbit]

Some guys on the /r/chameleon fourms told me that they think hes to small to be in a screen cage at the moment and that i should have him an aquarium so this is his setup right now http://i.imgur.com/zaQxa7I.jpg

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Take the cup out immediately. If he falls in that he could b a gonner. Much more plants, proper lighting, misting. Proper food and right supplemental diet.. a lot to go and learn just touching up on some things Opheliaeatsbugs posted.. good luck...