I just purchased a juvenile veiled chameleon. I have her in a 16"by 16"by 30" screen enclosure. I purchased her from my local Petco. I have a reptisun 5.0 bulb and a 100 watt daylight bulb in a double fixture. I also have a infrared night bulb 100 watt for night. I am in Michigan so it gets colder at night. So anyway question is I noticed this morning when me and my daughter went to mist her cage and feed her that her nostrils are white. Is this normal. Also she opens her mouth as if yawning. Any help would be appreciated. I've only had her since Sunday.
White nostrils
- Thread starter Duncan71
- Start date
Thechameleonlover
New Member
I'm not sure about the nostrills but the mouth is her trying to look bigger and say back off. Don't bother her for a week unless feeding and watering. She is probably getting stressed out so give her some time. Chameleons are reptiles where they shouldn't messed with to much like bearded dragons or leopard geckos.
LundqvistNYR
Member
is the white crusty? if so probably getting rid of extra salt and thats ok 
as for nighttime use a home heater to keep the room up towards 68 at night since they like a drop in temp at night
as for nighttime use a home heater to keep the room up towards 68 at night since they like a drop in temp at night
Lazereth
Avid Member
The white around her nose is salt excretion. Don't worry about it, it's normal. Her opening her mouth when you get near here. Well she just don't want to be bothered. I would leave her be for a few weeks except for misting and feeding. If you like you can fill out the Ask For Help link in my signature. (Only visible a desktop mode) also there is a veiled chameleon care sheet in the care section.
Update.
Just noticed Lund explained some of that.
Update
If you room doesn't get into the 50's at night then don't use the heat lamp at all.
Thank you. I was hoping it was something normal
Thank you. So I shouldn't be using a heat build for night then?
Veild Cham Owner
Avid Member
These things are normal. The white crusties are just extra salt and other things like that, they access it out by their nose instead of poop or pee or sweat (like we do). When does your cham do the mouth thing? does she make a noise when she does it?My chameleon yawns in the morning,it is quite funny. In the morning when i wake him up he opens his mouth wide, pulls out his beard and does a little shimmy stretch but that is the only time he does it. If your cham opens its mouth when you are near he might be hissing at you. When you get a new cham you are supposed to leave him alone for the first week or so (of course feeding tho) but no handling. After the first week then you can slowly start to gain trust with your cham.
edit : i would have to disagree with using no heat bulb. I called my vet to ask her opinion about it (bc i was getting comments like that also) and she said if he is falling asleep it would use it, especially if it gives extra heat. 100 watt is a little strong tho, i use a 65watt
edit : i would have to disagree with using no heat bulb. I called my vet to ask her opinion about it (bc i was getting comments like that also) and she said if he is falling asleep it would use it, especially if it gives extra heat. 100 watt is a little strong tho, i use a 65watt
Last edited:
Lazereth
Avid Member
Oh snap your right!!!!! Thanks
Veileds Cham Owner..you said if your chameleon was falling asleep you should use a heat bulb. At night you do not need any source of heat in the cage unless the temperature drops below 65F. I have kept chameleons for over 25 years and have never provided heat for them overnight. My chameleons live long healthy lives. (For instance veiled females live over 6 years).
Veild Cham Owner
Avid Member
My house drops around 60 that's why I use it and I meant to say if he was falling asleep with it on continue to use it if you need extra heat , my bad.
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