What am I Doing Wrong

[Joseph.Mikiten]

Hello. I own a female Veiled chameleon named Patch and she is roughly 2 months or more. I don't know for sure.if it helps she has started shedding a little today. I am new to chameleons but I know some basics. my chameleon is very dark today and to my knowledge it means she's stressed. she isn't that long. and I haven't handled her for about 5 days. I got her 7 days ago and we had to handle her a little to situate some stuff. her tank is 13 inches tall 12 inches wide. she has plenty to climb on. I am feeding her crickets and keeping the temperature at about 75° and humidity at 60-70. she has all the proper lighting water and food. constructive criticism is what I am looking for in sake of her health.

 

[CANDYMAN]

they do not only turn dark because of stress
they also use it to regulate heat

a picture would be helpful

 

[alphakenc]

See if u can find anything useful in this link below,check with ur set up hope this help u to start finding ur answer .
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

as of right now she is back to normal color. I guess I'm just panicking because I'm new to this. do you all have any tips?

 

[Courts_spyro]

You may need a higher temp than 75

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

something I've also noticed is, I have never seen her drink anything. is it a possibility she doesn't know she has water? or am I just not seeing it.

 

[KapitalJ]

something I've also noticed is, I have never seen her drink anything. is it a possibility she doesn't know she has water? or am I just not seeing it.

I have had my latest cham for over 2 months now. Haven't seen him drink yet. He doesn't even like to eat when I am around, I have to peer around the corner.

 

[Pinkyp]

I see mine drinking nearly every day but am laid up on sofa following surgery so can watch him all day. It's common not to see them drinking. As long as he is active and looks hydrated I wouldn't worry too much regarding that

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

I have had my latest cham for over 2 months now. Haven't seen him drink yet. He doesn't even like to eat when I am around, I have to peer around the corner.

she doesn't mind eating around me at all and in fact if I stick my hand in the cage she will climb over to it and hop on. she's not scared of people and she prefers a hand over a branch. also I have a bowl to catch water at the bottom but I leave it full. and when the dripper drips it eventually starts to flood. should I empty the bowl. someone told me to leave it full.

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

I see mine drinking nearly every day but am laid up on sofa following surgery so can watch him all day. It's common not to see them drinking. As long as he is active and looks hydrated I wouldn't worry too much regarding that

okay. thank you. I will look at him when I get home tonight. and I hope all heals well!

 

[KapitalJ]

I would for sure empty the bowl daily. No need for standing water to be left in the enclosure.

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

I would for sure empty the bowl daily. No need for standing water to be left in the enclosure.

that's what I thought. do you happen to know what age they start to shed at? I was never given an age. I was told they were young. but her head started yesterday and when I woke up today she was peeling on her head and legs.

 

[KapitalJ]

The shed process is based on growth. As the cham grows it needs to shed its old skin. kind of like you growing and needing new clothes when the old ones are too small. Mine usually sheds in a day. but he is only 5.5 months old, as they age the shedding slows down and usually they shed in patches when older.

If you want a guess on age, you can post a pic for us to see?

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

The shed process is based on growth. As the cham grows it needs to shed its old skin. kind of like you growing and needing new clothes when the old ones are too small. Mine usually sheds in a day. but he is only 5.5 months old, as they age the shedding slows down and usually they shed in patches when older.

If you want a guess on age, you can post a pic for us to see?

these are the most recent pictures I have when I get home I will post another

 

[KapitalJ]

I would think that she is around the 3.5 - 4 month mark.

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

that is super helpful. Thank you. from what I've read, a lot can happen at the 4 month mark and I just read that they lay infertil eggs. so I need to get a egg bin.

 

[Joseph.Mikiten]

this is her as of today.