Why won’t my Chameleon eat?

[CharlieCham03]

I just got my chameleon two days ago and he still won’t eat. He’s a 5 month old male veiled chameleon. I tried hand feeding him and I released crickets and mealworms in his cage and he still won’t eat. He’s just been pretty mellow, staying on the same spot by the UVB light everyday. He’s drinking okay and sleeping in the night but I’ve run out of ideas

 

[coastal_chameleon]

Hello and welcome to the forum if you fill out the form below, members will better be able to help out ! also if you can post pictures of the cage this would be most useful .

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.

--------------
Please Note:



1 The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2 Photos can be very helpful.

 

[JoXie411]

Hello, your Cham might not be eating because it’s Environment is different.

 

[Decadancin]

May need time to settle in. Sometimes the stress of a new environment can cause them not to act normally. As stated above, post a few pics of the enclosure and your chameleon and we can see if we notice anything out of the ordinary.

 

[CharlieCham03]

He’s Male veiled chameleon 5 months old
He hasn’t ate anything since I got him, I tried to hand feed him and use a cup both didn’t work
I handle him for about 10 minutes every morning and evening he seems to like be handled
I mist the cage 5-6 times a day and I use a dripper which I saw him use yesterday.
I have a screen cage and the lighting is UVB
The temperature stays around 78-80 degrees in the day and goes down to 70 degrees in the night
I mist the cage for the humidity and I’m going to get live plants today
The cage is on a table 28 1/2 inches above the ground.
I’m located in St. Louis Missouri
I tried hand feeding him crickets after I posted this and he just backed up from it he always likes to sit on the same spot everyday which is a branch 5 inches away from the UVB light. Please I really don’t want him to die right away any suggestions would be helpful

 

[JoXie411]

Your Cham needs a vet. He looks sick, where did you get him from?

 

[CharlieCham03]

Your Cham needs a vet. He looks sick, where did you get him from?

Petco

 

[Decadancin]

So, yes, he doesn’t look good. Very thin, and dehydrated. Where did you get him?

 

[CharlieCham03]

So, yes, he doesn’t look good. Very thin, and dehydrated. Where did you get him?

Petco

 

[Decadancin]

I will tell you, although it is difficult, I would return him. You likely have some vet bills and a long road ahead.

If you want to take this on, we can try to help.

 

[JoXie411]

Petco

Call them tell them your new cham is sick. Idk if they still have the same policy in your local petco but if you purchase from them they will schedule a vet visit for your Chamaeleon within the first 30 days of purchase or 60 can’t remember. You can also try and find a local exotic vet

 

[Decadancin]

The enclosure is very bare. He needs some extra foliage so he can feel secure.

 

[CharlieCham03]

Thanks guys for your help I was sort of freaking out because I’ve had reptiles before but never chameleons it’s a new experience for me and I will call Petco to see if they cover the first vet visit and I will keep you updated

 

[JoXie411]

I hope your little guy pulls throw. Petco is known to sell sick reptiles, they don’t provide the proper housing or care. My first cham was from them and he almost died of coccidia. Dropped $500 at the vet just to save him

 

[CharlieCham03]

I really hope he makes it too. Any other suggestions if I’m doing something wrong? I’m going to talk to Petco and tell them what I should do since they gave me a sick animal since you guys are saying this that is how he looked when I got him too so I’m betting he was already sick when I got him. I’ll ask Petco if they still give you a free vet visit and I’ll buy some foliage today too

 

[JoXie411]

Your cage needs lots of work honestly, you need more branches and foliage. It looks like you have the chameleon kit by zoomed witch doesn’t provide the right lighting. You need a t5 fixture to provide the proper uvb levels your little guy needs to live. Live plants are the best when it comes to veileds because they love to munch on stuff. I’ll link what I can, sorry I’m not at my best right now I just broke my arm so I can’t type how are usually do.


light
Sunblaster 904296 NanoTech T5 High Output Fixture Reflector Combo, 2-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKUBDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k03bEbW9SPZGD

Plants
https://flchams.com/chameleon-safe-plant-list/

Caresheet
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

@Decadancin help!!

Also here is my cage to give you an idea

 

[CharlieCham03]

Wow that’s a awesome

Your cage needs lots of work honestly, you need more branches and foliage. It looks like you have the chameleon kit by zoomed witch doesn’t provide the right lighting. You need a t5 fixture to provide the proper uvb levels your little guy needs to live. Live plants are the best when it comes to veileds because they love to munch on stuff. I’ll link what I can, sorry I’m not at my best right now I just broke my arm so I can’t type how are usually do.


light
Sunblaster 904296 NanoTech T5 High Output Fixture Reflector Combo, 2-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKUBDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k03bEbW9SPZGD

Plants
https://flchams.com/chameleon-safe-plant-list/

Caresheet
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

@Decadancin help!!

Also here is my cage to give you an idea

wow that’s a awesome cage! I just went out and bought a bunch more stuff for the cage I didn’t realize they needed that much stuff I’ll post a picture once I’m finished setting it all up thanks for the suggestions I really needed help and this is my first time keeping a chameleon

 

[JoXie411]

Wow that’s a awesome

wow that’s a awesome cage! I just went out and bought a bunch more stuff for the cage I didn’t realize they needed that much stuff I’ll post a picture once I’m finished setting it all up thanks for the suggestions I really needed help and this is my first time keeping a chameleon

Ooh yes these guys are High maintenance and your wallet will never have money again. You also want to buy a fogger, it will provide the night time humidity your little one needs to stay hydrated. I’ll link the fogger I use it’s amazing. Also variety is key when feeding

Fogger

PETSPIONEER Reptile Humidifier Digital Timing Fog Machine with Double Hose & 4 Liter Reservoir, Automatic Terrarium Fogger for Reptiles/Amphibians/Herps/Vivarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V39ZYJB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2n5bEbP06PT0H

 

[coastal_chameleon]

Your cage needs lots of work honestly, you need more branches and foliage. It looks like you have the chameleon kit by zoomed witch doesn’t provide the right lighting. You need a t5 fixture to provide the proper uvb levels your little guy needs to live. Live plants are the best when it comes to veileds because they love to munch on stuff. I’ll link what I can, sorry I’m not at my best right now I just broke my arm so I can’t type how are usually do.


light
Sunblaster 904296 NanoTech T5 High Output Fixture Reflector Combo, 2-Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKUBDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k03bEbW9SPZGD

Plants
https://flchams.com/chameleon-safe-plant-list/

Caresheet
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

@Decadancin help!!

Also here is my cage to give you an idea

I always thought the water reservoir had to sit higher than the pump ?? ???

 

[JoXie411]

I always thought the water reservoir had to sit higher than the pump ?? ???

I have no idea lol I hated setting it up and if it’s wrong I’ll change it