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The following response occurred on another entry. I prefer to answer it here, as that entry is getting rather long:
I have a 5-6 week old CB Veiled about 3"-4" long. I have it in a small 12" Depth x 18" Width x 20" Tall Screened Reptarium. I have a UVB Fixture and a 50 Watt Halogen basking lamp. I also have a drip system that gets filled 2-3 times a day with warm spring water. It is filled with lots of climbing areas and fake leafy vines. I have his basking area 3"-4" away from the light and ample areas to thermoregulate. I have a few questions for you.
1: The timed lighting system turned off the other night, and when it came on the next day (12 hour cycle) he gaped his mouth a lot and he positioned himself hanging down from his vine and shook as if he was trying to regurgitate something. I also noticed him bulging his right eye. He also leans to one side when he is resting on his perch or vine. There is no yellow in his stool indicating dehydration or newly formed wrinkles of any kind. Is there any problems that you foresee or am I being an overprotective Veiled keeper?! He also seems not to like misting at all!
2: What size should he be to move him to a new cage? I am building a cage that will be 24" depth x 24" width x 48" Tall
3: I was also wondering about lighting. I was thinking of using 2 of the 8 and a half inch Compact UVB Mystic Fluorescent bulbs and fixture available at www.bigappleherp.com and a Repti Halogen bulb and reflector dome for heat, light and UVA rays also available at www.bigappleherp.com. These will go on top of my larger cage that I build. Will this lighting be more than sufficient? And where can I find rock walls or large pieces to decorate my Reptarium once it is done?
Going through the questions one bit at a time:
First: On asking me questions. I recently read that there's a "saying" in the chamelon world that, "most keepers can keep a chameleon alive for 2 years because that how long it can take to kill one through poor husbandry." Well, I've only had one other chameleon, and that one lasted less than 1 year. While I do have a chameleon, I am by no means an expert. If you really have a concerning question, while I wouldn't discourage you from asking me (and anyone else who might have a clue), I would also encourage you to join this chameleon forum and ask your question there. There are amateurs and experts there who will answer your question, and who will referee one another's answers. (And don't be afraid of your mailbox filling up - it's actually an unfortunately slow list.)
I have a 5-6 week old CB Veiled about 3"-4" long. I have it in a small 12" Depth x 18" Width x 20" Tall Screened Reptarium. I have a UVB Fixture and a 50 Watt Halogen basking lamp. I also have a drip system that gets filled 2-3 times a day with warm spring water. It is filled with lots of climbing areas and fake leafy vines. I have his basking area 3"-4" away from the light and ample areas to thermoregulate. I have a few questions for you.
About the lamps: Did you know that you can buy UVA/UVB basking lamps? (One brand. Another brand.) I consider having bought one of those to be one of my best investments so far. What the chameleon really needs is that UVB, especially, for Vitamin D3 synthesis, so it doesn't really do much good for it to be basking under an ordinary heat lamp, does it? Next, the florescent lamps, while they are purchased for their UVA/UVB, don't produce the heat that makes a chameleon want to bask under it, right? I will never buy another regular flood again. I do, however, have a 48" fluorescent light, and have recently added a UVA/UVB fluorescent coil lamp (to help illuminate the depths of my 6' Reptarium), I don't think I'd go back to relying upon them exclusively. I attribute the better bone structure in my current chameleon compared to my previous chameleon primarily to the UVA/UVB basking lamp (which, unlike the other fluorescent lamps mentioned here, actually get warm enough to encourage basking).
1: The timed lighting system turned off the other night, and when it came on the next day (12 hour cycle) he gaped his mouth a lot and he positioned himself hanging down from his vine and shook as if he was trying to regurgitate something. I also noticed him bulging his right eye. He also leans to one side when he is resting on his perch or vine. There is no yellow in his stool indicating dehydration or newly formed wrinkles of any kind. Is there any problems that you foresee or am I being an overprotective Veiled keeper?! He also seems not to like misting at all!
My chameleon can't stand misting. Many chameleon owners report the same thing, especially if they mist with room temperature water. It's often recommended that hot water be used, always testing first by spraying your own hand to find out how far away you need to mist from in order for the air to adequately cool the water before it hits the chameleon. I've also seen advice not to mist chameleons which are stressed by it - and I rarely mist mine. The Chameleon Journals has a "scare page" about the water needs of a chameleon, and I keep that in mind, but since I make it rain in the chameleon's cage 3 times per day, 1 minute per session, I don't worry too much about it. Still, given that scare page, I do mist occasionally, hoping to circumvent any eye problems (especially) which may come from the lack of a wet enough environment.
I've seen that kind of gaping behavior, also. Maybe it doesn't mean anything, maybe it does. In the case of my current chameleon, it usually means that its skin is starting to itch and it's about to shed. If your chameleon wasn't so young, I'd wonder about its skeletal structure. If I were you, I'd start filling my mind with everything there is to know about metabolic bone disease in chameleons. If anything kills your chameleon, it'll probably be that. (And it wouldn't hurt to get an x-ray done of your chameleon at the age of around 4 months so that you can see how you're doing.)
2: What size should he be to move him to a new cage? I am building a cage that will be 24" depth x 24" width x 48" Tall.
My advice is to move it to the new enclosure as soon as you can. Chameleons don't like to have their environments altered, and the longer you keep it where it is, the more accustomed it'll become to its current set-up. But more than that, ask yourself why you should restrict it to such a small space? I'll bet you can't find any answers which benefit the chameleon, but instead the answers you find will serve your own convenience. (And what's neat about your question and your set-up is that you seem to really care and to be willing to apply the diligence necessary to properly keep your pet!)
3: I was also wondering about lighting. I was thinking of using 2 of the 8 and a half inch Compact UVB Mystic Fluorescent bulbs and fixture available at www.bigappleherp.com and a Repti Halogen bulb and reflector dome for heat, light and UVA rays also available at www.bigappleherp.com. These will go on top of my larger cage that I build. Will this lighting be more than sufficient? And where can I find rock walls or large pieces to decorate my Reptarium once it is done?
Like I said earlier about lighting, I no longer like the idea of providing any kind of basking (i.e., heat) lamps which don't also supply UVA/UVB. However, I also include fluorescent UVA/UVB lighting to supplement the UVA/UVB basking lamp that I use, and also to help illuminate the cage. Maybe I'm paranoid about the skeletal structure of my chameleon, but maybe not. Metabolic bone disease seems to be the primary killer of chameleons and I prefer not to take chances. I also wonder about 50 watts being enough. I used to actually use 250 watts, but now I use only 100 watts and I wonder about it being enough. Given the small size of your enclosure, I can understand the 50 watt limitation, however. Also, with regard to the UVA/UVB lamps that I've been recommending, your enclosure is way too small for them, as their UVA/UVB properties require certain minimum distances from your pet.
With regard to the rock wall, I can't say that I share your enthusiasm for it. The chameleon isn't going to want to have anything to do with it, and it seems to me that if it's provided, then food may hide within its cracks, and the chameleon may attempt to crawl on the wall in order to get to the food. Chamemeleon feet aren't exactly designed for that purpose, so that would concern me. As for other decorations, I suppose you can find them in any pet store. But the chameleon mostly just wants plants and vines to crawl upon, and plants are pretty darned decorative, aren't they?
Posted by Jeff at May 25, 2005 09:37 AMRegarding misting the chameleon. What I do with mine is to use warm to hot water in a sprayer. I first mist the cage so that he sees what I'm doing. Then I adjust the nozzle on the sprayer to Stream instead of mist. And I gently spray a stream directly on the side of my chameleon's mouth towards the corner. I got in the habit of doing this routine every time I misted the cage in the mornings. Now - after 2 months - he will come up to the front of the cage when he sees me misting the enclosure, so that I can spray him. He'll turn his head up and close his eyes and open and close his mouth to let the water in. Once he closes his eyes and starts drinking - I'd go ahead and spray his whole body. He cleans his eyes during this also. Try it with your cham - I'm sure it will work after a little while.
Tin
Posted by: Tin at May 26, 2005 03:04 AMCool. Sounds like fun. I may try and track down a VCham'. Not that I want one; I'm just curious to see what they're like IRL.
Posted by: kenny at May 26, 2005 08:22 AMTin,
That's...interesting. It makes me wonder if my watering method (which is 3 one minute sessions of "rain" per day) is adequate. I may cut out one of those sessions and try your misting example out daily for a week, as it sounds like your chameleon is doing exactly what a chameleon ought to be doing (see the "scare page" link above).
Posted by: Jeff at May 26, 2005 03:15 PMYou should try it as a routine in the morning. And then let the dripper take care of things for the rest of the day.
Remember to always let him see you misting the enclosure first - before you turn the spray to him. Don't just suddenly start spraying him.
And it may take a few squirts before he'll turn his head up, close his eyes, and start lapping at the water.
After a couple weeks - he'll expect it every morning.
Let me know how it works out. I hope it works out - plus I'm sure your cham is getting enough water. I've seen pics of a dehydrated cham and it's not pretty.
Posted by: Tin at May 27, 2005 12:57 AMMy chameleon just runs and hides. I'm not sure that chasing it with the sprayer is a good idea.
Posted by: Jeff at May 28, 2005 03:37 PMi JUST SAW YOUR PAGE ABOUT FEMALE VEILEDS LAYING EGGS 2-3 TIMES A YEAR.... IVE HAD MINE FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD HER ABOUT 2 YEARS AND IVE NEVER SEEN ONE EGG!!! THIS IS THE FIRST IVE HEARD OF THIS. I WONDER NOW IF SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG, SHES NEVER SEEN A VET... DONT EVEN KNOW IF THERE ONE AROUND HERE THAT SEES REPTILES
Posted by: KELI at June 12, 2005 02:17 AMSomeone else shared a similar situation with me a couple of weeks ago. My only first hand experience with the egg laying was with my previous chameleon which died. The rest of what enters my mind on the issue comes from other owners, books, and care sheets.
It seems to me that you're in the best possible situation...no eggs!
I'm waiting for someone, somewhere, to explain the mystery of this. My own suspicion is that it has something to do with feeding. With my previous chameleon, I gave it all of the food that it could eat. I've since been told that restricting food for females (and allowing them cool temperatures in the winter) reduces their frequency of egg laying to a minimum. However, the keeper who shared that with me didn't mention any females never laying at all.
Posted by: Jeff at June 12, 2005 03:05 PMWell there were eggs, lots of them, and $800 later they were taken out, but shes home now. Soo sad. Very calcium deficient. But the Doc told me I must be taking very good care of her if shes lived this long with all the eggs in her and no broken bones either!!
I took pics of the eggs... http://www.sendpix.com/albums/05061522/td0dojogsk/
Posted by: KELI at June 15, 2005 11:42 PMAmazing...you didn't mention anything about her having problems. What made you want to take her to the vet?
What's more amazing is that you'd spend that $800 to take care of her. You should be proud of yourself - few people would do such a thing.
Did your vet give you any kind of drops to give to her to help to build up her bone structure? If not, may I suggest that you call your veterinarian and ask for some? Barring that, you might try this:
http://www.cricketfood.com/default.php/cPath/51?
I also wonder how your lighting is in its cage. My hallucination is that my previous chameleon's problem with its skeletal structure was due 100% to an environment that was deficient in UVB lighting. I, personally, will never let that happen again, and my current cage is absolutely flooded with it. Scroll up to the main entry for this page for some of my lighting alternatives. The basking lamps with UVA/UVB, far moreso than the fluorescent type, seem appropriate to me, since the chameleon seeks them out for their warmth.
Posted by: Jeff at June 16, 2005 12:14 AMWell I actually had got online trying to find out what was wrong with her, she seemed really weak, tired, she was always falling. Everytime i turned around she was on the bottom of her cage laying on her head and couldnt get up, it was breaking my heart. Then I saw your page about them getting egg bound and realized she had years of eggs in her- she was just plain too heavy and drained of calciun to hold her self up.
Ya i about shit myself when the vet told me how much it was going to be. luckily my mom helped me. But yes they gave me liquid calcium to give her. They also gave me a prescription of banana flavored antibiotics and pain meds.
As far as the lighting I have a 7% uvb florecent and a red spot heat lamp. but the previous owner only had an aquarium bulb in there, i found that out when i took it in to get a replacment. Must be the reason she is so small
Oh and the coolest part is the vet took digital pics of her surgery!!! It was trippy! He's supposed to e-mail the pics so ill have them up as soon as i get them
Posted by: KELI at June 16, 2005 10:40 AMI have an 8 mo. old veiled female that has never layed eggs. I read on this website that it is imperative to have some sand at the bottom of the cage. What kind of sand can I use? I found some calcium based sand at the reptile store but wasn't sure so I didn't buy it. She is suffering from the same condition as described by Keli (weak, won't eat). HELP!
Thanks
For a container of sand, I use one of those sort of tupperware types of drawers that are so popular now. It's about 15 long, 10 inches wide, and about 6 inches deep. Advice I've seen in the past is to have it at least 4 inches deep.
Wet or dry? Well, they *tunnel* in the sand, as opposed to just digging holes, so it needs to be wet enough that they can tunnel in there quite a ways without it collapsing on top of them. I've read to only use playsand, and *never* the type of sand that is used for building materials (such as cement). I do know of at least one person who makes a mixture of coconut substrate and sand for his chameleons.
I purchased the playsand that I use at Home Depot. It's the stuff that is used to fill up kids' sandboxes.
My advice, though Theri, is to immediately get her to the veterinarian to check for metabolic bone disease. That's probably the most common killer of these guys in captivity, and what you're describing goes right along with it. This is not small thing - get the sand, then get to a veterinarian who has experience with lizards at least, and chameleons hopefully.
Posted by: Jeff at June 28, 2005 07:54 PMWhat role does an elecrolyte solution play in a cham that won't eat? I was told by a local reptile shop that 'Pedialyte" would help hydrate the chameleon. She's drinking it when I offer it to her via dropper, at least 1 tsp. at a time.
Thanks
@Theri: I don't know the answer to that question, but you might find help here:
http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/hydrate.htm#amount
Posted by: Jeff at June 29, 2005 01:43 PMJeff,
Thank you for your help.
Hi, first off I love this site and alot of your veiws on our "wonderful" government. What I was wondering is the size of the cage you keep your young chameleon in. I ordered the 30x30x72 cage you recommended and got it for $89 including shipping. The breeder im getting the veiled from says to keep him in a much smaller cage untill he is almost full grown, just curious what you think about that.
Thank you
Ken
Hiya Ken!
I've never heard of anything like that before, and without reasons behind it I have no way to judge it on its own merits. But it seems to me that you can always compare it to what happens to them in the wild. They're born...er, hatched...into the largest cage imaginable (Earth) and they seem to do okay. Any cage you put them in is going to be smaller than that. I like the idea of making the cage as large as possible.
Posted by: Jeff at July 20, 2005 11:00 AMThanks Jeff,
Kinda what I was thinking, seems to make alot of sense.
Posted by: ken at July 20, 2005 05:37 PMMy 1 1/2 year old chameleon just laid eggs the other day, I saw her burrowing in the soil, and I dug her out because I was fearful that she would bury herself alive and had never seen this behavior in her before. The next day, I noticed eggs, 12 of them, in various spots in the bottom of her cage. How many and how often are chameleons supposed to lay eggs? This was the first time she'd laid eggs! We just thought RuKu was a chubby chameleon. Hadn't read anything about non fertilized egg laying.
Posted by: Amy at July 26, 2005 02:32 PMHello,
I noticed that you have a photo of yourself holding your chameleon posted on your website. My grandson and I have a veiled male that we would like to get used to occasionally being held. Before we purchased our veiled we read that chameleons in general do not like to be held, but then read on one site that you have to get them used to it at a young age in order to be successful. We have tried to slowly put our hand under Dexter to see if he will voluntarily walk onto it, but he generally just turns away and climbs in the opposite direction. A couple of times we were met with hissing, and once with a rather high pitched, squeaking sound. We don't press the issue and remove our hand right away, but we have to admit that we are disappointed that he isn't more "used to us" by now. Any thoughts or suggestions? Also, another poster on your site mentioned that yellow stool indicates dehydration. I haven't read this anywhere else, with the exception of your website.
But, a couple of times in the last few weeks I have noticed a thin, yellow substance on the furniture in our cham's cage. I cleaned it up, but didn't make the connection that it signaled something serious. Dexter appears healthy and active otherwise. What do you advise? Thanks in advance for your help.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Hamme at August 8, 2005 10:49 PMi'm getting my first veiled in about a half hour (i believe it's full grown by what i've heard, haven't seen it yet). i took the time to learn about care and environment this weekend, as i was into snakes as a child and know what kind of attention reptiles require. so far i have a 24 by 18 inch, round mesh hanging reptarium, fake vines and shrubbery, stress ease electrolyte solution, a reflector lamp w/ a 100w UVA bulb that keeps the top of the reptarium around 94 degrees, and we have pothos growing all around the house that i can take clippings from. tomorrow i plan on purchasing some crickets w/ gutload and calcium supliment from the pet store, and fresh collard greens. tonight i will check out the link above for the UVA/UVB lamp.
my main Q right now is...until i recieve the new lamp, should i hang the reptarium out on the porch while i'm at work? i'm in Florida and the high temp outside is around 98-100, add a couple degrees w/ the heat index and humidity around noon time. i thought this may be better for now, since it's close to direct sunlight, not in it, but close. i'm guessing uvb rays bounce around like beachballs down here in FL, so i'm thinking the shade of the porch won't hinder it's ability to reach the cham, and will be better than leaving him under the UVA reflector all day. but i'm still concerned w/ overheating/ thermoregulation. he's lived on a porch up until now, so maybe i'm just being paranoid. from what i hear, he's pretty healthy...eats when fed (which i don't believe is often enough[once a week]), climbs all over the mesh in his current terrarium, and loves to hiss. i'll check him out visually when he gets here and let you know. I also have more Qs, but i'll leave them for later.
peace ~j
ok, i now have a seamingly healthy, adult (about 8-9" long with tail stretched)female veiled. mouth looked clean while she was trying to bight me during the big switch. limbs look strait. staying brown and hiding from me. seemed to be suprised at the first misting, but she almost seemed to be enjoying it. she climbed strait up the side of the mesh to about 5 inches from the lamp. the owner had it under no lamps, indoor/outdoors for 6 months. he also brought crickets with powdered supliment, meal worms, and a potted pothos.
i plan on keeping her in tomorrow, she seems pretty stressed, and i leave before the sun comes up...don't wanna freak her out too much in sleep mode, i already have to add crickets and mist before i leave. tomorrow she'll have tons of new goodies that she probably hasn't seen in awhile, if ever, including a powersun uv bulb.
I recently ( three days ago) purchased a 2 month old veiled chameleon the first night he ate two crickets. since then (yesterday and today) he hasn't eaten a thing and is looking very very thin. I have been misting the cage two times a day he has a Uva /uvb 75 watt basking light and is moving constantly around the trees and branches in his cage.Any suggestions?
Posted by: C at September 5, 2005 07:08 AMIt doesn't sound (yet) like anything to worry about to me. One thing to consider, though, is that veileds - well, chameleons in general - are a delicate species which has issues with stress. They shouldn't be handled unless absolutely necessary, and many owners position cages in such a way as to limit the chameleon's ability to see people from its cage.
If you're already leaving the chameleon alone and it's not eating, all I can think of is trying smaller crickets.
Posted by: Jeff at September 6, 2005 10:58 PMWhat is the proper bedding for chameleons? I am using ReptiBark right now but it seems as though he could eat the bark when feeding on crickets. Is this so? If he does eat it what are the repurcussions? What is the best bedding to use?
Posted by: Todd Winsor at September 7, 2005 02:33 PMHow old is a female before she needs to lay eggs? I don't want to have her getting egg bound. Should I put he sand right in the bottom of the Flexarium?
Posted by: Todd Winsor at September 7, 2005 03:03 PMhi.. i just came across this site and read up ona couple things.. i just bought a chameleon about a week ago now.. and i noticed hes not eating..hes always at the top of the aquarium and just stays there most of the time.. i put some crickets in the aquarium.. but he doesnt seem to be fast enough to catch them... the only thing hes eaten is some flies i threw in there a little while back.. but the crickets just seem to be dying before he even gets to them. another thing is i read up on if he poops yellow it means hes dehydrated.. is this true.. because i have been misting his inclosure everyday .. but it is a fresh air screened type aquarium and im worried that the water is evaporating before he gets any.. cause again he doesnt move around much... im just wondering if theres n e thing else i can do because in the hanging enclosure theres nowhere to hook up a drip system. .. so i was just wondering if hes gonna be fine. and hes just fussy because hes still young and mebbe stressed out from the move? ive been trying to read up as much as i can about chameleons.. but i dont seem to know alot yet.. can n e one help?
Posted by: carly at September 13, 2005 12:10 PMHi i have an 8 month old cham female. It has not touched a single thing to eat in a week i have crickets in and loctous it will not even look at them it is starting to get weak and i am worried. It is falling off the branches it keeps digging the sand and trying to escape from the tank. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Posted by: Lee at September 13, 2005 02:53 PMShe's likely trying to lay her eggs. Hopefully she's got enough moist sand (and privacy) to feel comfortable laying them.
Posted by: Jeff at September 15, 2005 09:38 AMI would buy the larger one. The small one is awfully small for a chameleon.
Posted by: Jeff at September 17, 2005 01:03 AMany on have any advice for me i am going to get a sun burst veiled and need any care info would be
helpful
i have heard to use a uvb light
the long one or the small
one 5.0 10.0
Alrighty, I'm misting my chameleon for 3-5 mins and use a fogger while I'm out... Misting alone creates a swamp at the bottom of the cage w/o a substrate, with the fogger I created a lagoon! how do you mop up the floor...PS i hate reptariums those zippers suck expecially when you have to reach in from the top! >.<
Posted by: phil at September 19, 2005 07:11 PMMy female Starla I bought in February of '05 so shes almost 1 year about 7-8 months, shes about 12 inches from tip of tail to nose. i just recently in august made the nesting sight out of peat moss and put it in her cage but it doesn't look like shes been checking it out or anything and She hasn't layed eggs yet . I'm worried if its too late. please answer back.
Does anyone know of any breeders because i have been trying to get a veiled chameleon but i live in Canada and no one will ship it out were i live
Posted by: Justin at September 20, 2005 09:06 PMMy female Starla I bought in February of '05 so shes almost 1 year about 7-8 months, shes about 12 inches from tip of tail to nose. i just recently in august made the nesting sight out of peat moss and put it in her cage but it doesn't look like shes been checking it out or anything and She hasn't layed eggs yet . I'm worried if its too late. please answer back.
My female Starla I bought in February of '05 so shes almost 1 year about 7-8 months, shes about 12 inches from tip of tail to nose. i just recently in august made the nesting sight out of peat moss and put it in her cage but it doesn't look like shes been checking it out or anything and She hasn't layed eggs yet . I'm worried if its too late. please answer back.
I have 2 chameleons, 1 of which I thought was male as that was what i was told when I bought them as babies 6months ago. He started to become really ill about a week ago so I took him to the vet wed. I found out that he is actually a she, and probabily wants to lay eggs. She had a scan and the eggs were visable. I went back to day as things hadn't picked up, and the vet gave her an injection to help her lay .
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they have had this done, and does it work? And also the signs of her going into labour so I can keep an eye on her as she has become extremely klingy.
If this doesn't work she will have to have a hysterectomy. :(
I have a chameleon that is about 1 year old,,we noticed that he is having his tongue hanging out of his mouth and he was sitting at the bottom of the cage with his head on the ground, his tongue was extended out of his mouth about an inch ,,my daughter is very upset and we dont know what is wrong with him,,can anyone help us
Posted by: linda at September 24, 2005 07:29 PMwe have a chameleon that is about one year old and his tongue is hanging out of his mouth about 2 inches and we dont know what is wrong with him,,he is eating fine and we are misting him, he hates it but it helps with his tongue keeping it moist,,what is wrong with him?
Posted by: karmen at October 2, 2005 06:40 PMI am going to be buying a 4-5 month old male veiled tomorrow. I am wondering if i have a good setup to start. I have a 20gallon fish tank with a mesh top & sides, lots of places to climb with lots of fake plants. I have a 75watt heating lamp & my fluorescent lamp is an 18in UV, UVB and UVA. The tmeperature is around upper 80's. I plan on making a 24"x24"x36" enclosure. When should I move him into his new home? Also how long/much should I mist the enclosure for? How many crickets will he eat for now? What are good foods for the crickets, butterworms and waxworms and what minerals & vitamins should i dust them with?
Thanks
Derek
I just have a question that you may be able to answer... Lately i have noticed that my Vieled cham hasn't been eating as many crickets as ususal. I just cleaned his tank 2 days ago and i have been giving him crickets but he hasn't eaten any of them. Last night he ate some lettus that i gave him, but he hasn't touched his crickets and now i am getting worried. Do you have any suggestions?
Posted by: tanya at October 7, 2005 04:58 PMI am seriously thinking about getting a veiled chameleon for a pet. I have always loved reptiles, especially lizards. I have never previously owned a chameleon, but I have owned many snakes. I was wondering if any one has any advice for me, like whether or not I should even get one, or advice on the habitat that it would be living in.
Thanks, Starra
Hi Starra,
Please see "Before Buying a Veiled Chameleon" located here: http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/weblog/archives/000131.html
Posted by: Jeff at November 21, 2005 07:13 PMi have bought a cameleon the other day. it seems to be doing okay. it hisses when i spray it or try to touch it:( are they very friendly? Also, will it turn pink if i put it on my girlfriends pink shirT?
Posted by: jeff miro at December 27, 2005 06:08 PMHi Jeff
Chameleons are a "look, but don't touch" kind of animal. In fact, they should be viewed from a distance, as closeness stresses them just as does touching them. This kind of stress is a killer of chameleons.
Chameleons do not change color to blend in with their environments. They get credited with doing that, but the truth is that they're very bad at it. There are other animals which are much, much better at changing color to suit their environments.
Chameleons change color primarily, it seems, as communication. They give warning colors, they have colors which indicate that they're about to lay eggs, they even have death colors. But they won't change color to match their surroundings.
Be sure to spray it with warm water. As much as you dislike being showered with cool water, they dislike it all the more because they're cold blooded and, unlike you, get all of their heat from the environment rather than generating it themselves.
Posted by: Jeff at December 27, 2005 11:43 PMI have a Veiled Chameleon that will run around its cage with its eyes shut,She falls of the branches and looks like she is going to hurt herself. she will do this for like a half hour and then just quit and open her eyes and walk back up to the top. Why do you think she does this?
Posted by: Brittney at December 31, 2005 10:15 PMThis is for Justin (the Canadian Guy)...I know you asked a few mths. ago but I just read it now... Green Earth Exotics is located in Windsor, Ont. They have lots of awesome creatures and some beautiful Chameleons....thats where I got mine....their phone # is (519) 739-0022. You should check 'em out. I'm going to be getting my 2nd Veiled there on Friday, a male to mate with my female so hopefully in a few months I'll have some babies to sell.
Posted by: Caitlin at January 11, 2006 11:20 AMwould a 51/2 gallon tank and for how long??
Chameleons should not be kept in tanks.
Posted by: Jeff at February 1, 2006 04:55 PMI have only had my Veiled Chameleon (Miss Slash) for a few weeks and she is already doing strange things.
She loves to eat the moss bedding that I have put in her home, I was wondering if this is ok for her to do? I don't wan't her to get sick.
I was also wondering what kind of Vegetation I can feed her, if she will eat it?
Posted by: Carrie at February 16, 2006 09:11 PMMy veiled Chemeleon is 1 year and 8 months old and he has been eating compost from the plants in m flexarium for about a year now,is this ok for him to do or should i remove the plant up to now he seems fine,also i have a 65 gallon flexarium in my room and i have just enough room for a 100 gallon one which is 48 inchs long,30 inch wide and 16.5 inch in depth is this ok for the rest of his chammey life?
Posted by: Jay at February 26, 2006 06:44 PMI recentley purchased a veild cham and have had him for about 3 weeks. His appetite has not been an issue...he eats up to 10 crix a day. This past week i noticed that i wasnt openning his right eye... i took him to the vet and was given an eye cream and my cham recieved a shot incase he was developing an infection. now he keeps both eyes closed and just lays around....i keep his humidity at about 50% and temp at 84. he has a repti 5.0 and basking light with a waterfall for extra cirrculation. IS HE DEHYDRATING?? i keep a bone aid calcium sand substrate in the bottom. i just dont understand why he has been keeping eyes shut so much lately....i appreciate any help
Posted by: Dustin at March 10, 2006 03:06 PMHow do you keep the humidity at 50% without the humidity of your house being at 50% (or is it?). You're not keeping it in a tank, are you?
As for the eye problem, they're very common in chameleons. Part of the reason for misting chameleons and giving them regular showers (like the way you take a shower) is because their eyes are cleaned by the water.
"By far, hydration is the most important consideration regarding the husbandry concerns of captive chameleons. Unfortunately, hydration is also where we most often fall short in chameleon care. In the wild chameleons take advantage of rainy periods by positioning themselves in such a way as to bathe the mucous membranes of their mouth and nares with the essential droplets. Blepharisms (continuous eye movements and blinking) distribute water to the eyes to cleanse and moisten the corneal epithelium. This ceremony often lasts for hours."
--Kenneth Lopez, D.V.M.
Hi there Jeff!!
Just wanted to let you know.. your website is very helpful. I first saw a veiled chameleon in a pet store, and obsessed over these little creatures for quite sometime before my husband broke down and bought me one.
I love my baby so much... I try to take good care of her.. all thanks to your "care sheet", and a direct line to the pet store where we bought her from. The one thing I don't like about all of this is her terrarium - I plan on getting her a big one soon. Right now, she has one of those standard sized ones... I feel sorry for the poor thing.
Anyways.. the kids and I want to thank you. I got my son to read over your care sheet as well.. he's eight. He now knows how sensitive they are, and how much time is to be put in to look after our Sophie!! (that's her name)
Thanks Jeff!
Posted by: Melissa at March 14, 2006 03:41 PMI just got a chameleon a week ago he rubed his eye on the side of the glass tank and now does not open the one eye anymore, is there anything I can do for it.
Posted by: Mandy at March 21, 2006 10:00 PMMy Chameleon that I had just bought he doesn't open one of his eyes ever! What should I do or should I just not worry about it?
Posted by: Kayla at April 10, 2006 01:47 PM@Mandy: First, and foremost, your chameleon should not be in a glass tank. If you decide to keep it there, I suspect that you won't be having a chameleon much longer.
@Kayla and Mandy: Chameleons are prone to eye infections. They require lots of rain to wash out their eyes. Chameleon's need to be showered daily and for extended periods of time with either a spray bottle or by actually putting them into the shower:
http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/weblog/archives/000232.html
Posted by: Jeff at April 10, 2006 01:57 PMI have a beautiful male cameleon for a year now.He is fairly large.But I've noticed that his front leg got swollen all of a sudden.And now one of his back legs as well.from the same side.He uses it every once in a while.But I don't know what could be causing this.We think we have the proper lighting for him.And he is in a large cage?At first we thought something bit him.But know we noticed that it like a problem that he has.He still eats the same.But his color is not as pretty as before.He looks darker now.
Posted by: jenny at April 14, 2006 11:33 AMMy young veiled chameleon, 4 months or so all of a sudden can't climb or eat. I gave her some supplements in water with a syringe, maybe she's calcium deficient. You guys are the experts, so please let me know what to do. She was eating 3 crickets at a time and drinking everyday.
Thanks,
Roy
I bought a veiled chameleon for my mom recently and I got it from the same pet store where I bought my rats. I asked the guy at the store how to care for him and he gave me basic instructions. I asked him how old the one was and he said he thought 2 YEARS. I didn't know that was old for a chameleon so I bought it and took it home. He has been just fine but the last few days I look at him and he is sitting with his mouth open. I read that it could be from the bone disease you discussed and I feel I should have him x-rayed but if he really is as old as the guy says, should I even bother with it or is there nothing I can really do?
Posted by: Stevie at April 22, 2006 08:19 PMdoes anybody no why my chameleon doenst want to eat
Posted by: michael at April 25, 2006 07:55 PMby the way my email adress is datboi12345@hotmail.com thanx
ur very helpful
Sitting on porch having coffee. Watched and took pictures of little liz on a big leaf about 2 feet from me. Too cool. Well I turned to read and as I turned back-HARK-an egg, right on the big leaf and he? she? leaving. Oh my. So here I am asking you for advice. Is there a baby in there and can I secure to birth?? What a thrill that would be. I hope to hear from you. Will not touch. Jeannie
Posted by: jeannie chapman at May 2, 2006 11:43 AMcan chameleons have strawberry plants in their cage and eat them also?
are mini palms trees okay to have in cage?
My chameleon has been fine for a long time and suddenly i noticed he hadn't been moving from the floor for a while with his eyes closed and mouth gaping every now and then, when i went to pick him up to make sure he was alright he didnt resist at all and it was almost like a was picking up a stick...he hasnt eaten in a long time and possible not had anything to drink....I am extremely worried about him and have been trying to everything i can to help him..has this ever happened to anyone else??
Posted by: neesha at June 13, 2006 10:08 PMIt could be anything. Perhaps SHE is looking for some moist sand to lay her eggs.
Posted by: Jeff at June 13, 2006 10:41 PMi wish that was it, but i am certain he is male...and things are looking extremely dire..i think he is dying but i have no idea why, and i dont think there are any vets that specialize in chameleons around here
Posted by: neesha at June 14, 2006 07:54 AMJeff,
I have a breeding pair of Jackson's chameleons and when I bought them 3 months ago I noticed my male had a growth on his side. It's gotten much bigger now and he seems to be deteriating fast. He moves around just fine but he keeps his eyes closed and they are sunken in. The growth to me looks like a calcium build up or something. What are your thoughts?
Angel
my chameleon goes to the bottom of the cage alot now and hasnt been eating as much as before it is roughly 4 months and its growth isnt noticeable. but the part that i worry the most is that he seems to stuggle walking on the branches does anyone have any opinions on this?
Posted by: pat at June 20, 2006 10:33 PMSunken eyes are typically an advanced sign of severe dehydration.
Posted by: Jeff at June 20, 2006 10:34 PM@Pat: Advanced metabolic bone disease.
Posted by: Jeff at June 20, 2006 11:12 PMjeff: so i guess its a lost case, right?
Posted by: pat at June 21, 2006 12:24 PMNot necessarily. You should see a veterinarian for a complete diagnosis.
Posted by: Jeff at June 21, 2006 12:42 PM@jeff: well yo thanks for the help n everything but i think its too late he seems like he'll barely make it through the night man. its sad
Posted by: pat at June 21, 2006 09:30 PMJust to let you know I lost my male jackson last night! Poor guy! Thanks anyways.
Posted by: Angel at June 30, 2006 09:49 AMchameleons are nice and everything but i deffinetely dont recommend them to anybody they require an enormous amount of maintenance and special conditions. with all the acommodations i gave mine i still had to burry it a couple of days ago. deffinetely dont recommend it if ur not going to take 100% amount of care and give him EVERYTHING he needs
Posted by: patrick at July 7, 2006 09:30 PMHey your site is sweet, quick question, my male veiled wont keep his left eye open, he can open it and when i bug him he opens it, but most of the day it is closed, did he get poked in the eye by a branch or something, or maybe get something in it? husbandry is as good as it gets, all lighting, food, vitamis, h20, space and minimal stress are in full effect, my female is fine.
I dunno it is probably nothing but I just wanted top get your advice, thanks
Wes
hi thanks for all the info... my chamelon is almost 6 months she very big and was very happy moving around all the time. now her tales black and one leg is ver black. she doesn't move much she stay at the bottom of the tank and keep opening her mouth and letting this clear mucus* come out. she also not eating. i don't no what to do or why her body is turing so black. please help me and my little daughter love her so much.thanks
Posted by: erica at July 11, 2006 09:39 AMWhen should i start holding my baby chameleon?
Posted by: Af at July 12, 2006 03:33 PMI have a carpet chameleon. Im pretty sure it's a boy. Everytime I go back to the reptile store I bought it from they tell me something different. These are the questions I have.
1. How many crickets should I feed it in a day or week.
2. Should I leave a heat lamp on all day and night and or switch bulbs at night to the night one.
3. How often do you mist the cage? I read warm water??
4. Should you change its diet and give it worms?? The guy at the store suggested these white squishy worms that died almost instantly.
5. Can I get another chameleon to put in with him?
6. I was told to take the chameleon out and let him walk on your arm and what not, to play with him. So he wont be mean when he gets bigger. Yes or No??
7. Should I have a seperate drinking thing for him at the bottom of the cage?
8. What type of cage? And where do I put the cage in my house?
I know that is a lot of questions but I still have more and I think that is all I am going to bother you with for now!
Please Help!! Thank You!!!
Posted by: Ironkitty at July 12, 2006 03:36 PM@Af: When should you start holding your chameleon? Answer: Absolutely never should you hold your chameleon. Granted, sometimes its unavoidable. But try to make the unavoidable times as few as possible.
@Ironkitty: I don't know anything about carpet chameleons. Please join the Chameleon Journals mailing list and ask your question there. You will receive plenty of responses, I'm sure: http://lists.topica.com/lists/chameleon_journals .
Posted by: Jeff at July 12, 2006 03:52 PMSry, but how do you tell whate gender a baby veiled chameleon is?
Posted by: aF at July 12, 2006 04:01 PMOK sry but i still got ?s umm.. wen shuold i put more food in for my chameleon to eat?
Posted by: af at July 12, 2006 04:24 PMhi all just found thhis site and was reading through it. is it normal for a veiled cham to have yellow in his stool or is this a sign of dehydration????
Posted by: max at July 15, 2006 05:43 AMMy 1.5 year old veiled moved with me from CA to NY about 3 months ago and he doesn't seem to be acclimating very well. For the past 2 weeks he has barely been moving and now he has his eyes closed and doesn't seem to be eating. What can I do to nurse him back to health? It's been very hot and humid here and I'm concerned that he has become dehydrated.
Thank you,
Eric
Posted by: Eric Wayne at July 15, 2006 11:44 AMYes I have a few questions... I am very new to this but have studied taking care of jackson chameleons.... I just wanted to make sure that he is in a ideal enviroment... If I have him in my own room can music being played to loud or even the tv put him understress... Is there any tips on taking care of these animals... I just recently put in 2 pothos live plants in his mesh terrariam and he is starting to get some really beautiful lime green shades of color I want more exotic color what can I do??? And any other tips would be great... O And A fogger for him is it neccesary? I mist his cage more than twice a day just any time i have the chance i spray with a hand spray of water... is it ok to spray him?
Posted by: Cody Bass at July 23, 2006 10:53 PMOkay I'll admit it I'm a bit over-protective of my chameleon but yesterday I went to feed it medium sized crickets and I noticed they were all gone, I'm too young to drive but the pet store down the street was closed, He's only had 1 medium cricket since yesterday and the store doesnt open until like 11:00 am today and it's 8:00 right now. He usually eats 5 Crickets a day. Will he be alright? How long can a 4 month old chameleon go without eating? I'm really worried.
Posted by: Vince at July 24, 2006 09:00 AMHey i just got baby male veiled chameleon, 2 days ago (aug6), and i bought the whole kit for him with the crickets and their food and vitamin powder stuff. i put crickets in and spary him 2x a day. but i dont think he's eating. i cleaned out the cage and i found 13 crickets just chilling. so he must have eaten 3+. what can i do to get him to eat? also he moves around with his eyes closed and when he opens his eyes its only thr right one. what can i do to fix these problems of mine?
-vannessa.
Hey
I just had a few more questions if anyone can help me out.
-First what tempeture should the water be that i am using to spray the cage and him with? How often should i spray him and the cage? and do i have to spray him along with the cage or just the cage?
-And also today i noticed that he was sitting on his log and one of his eyes seemed to be almost pooping right out of his socket, does this happen or should I be worried.
-And finally i now have him in a more ventilated area but there is more horizontal room then verticall room will this be alright for him?
Please Help
My chameleon has all of a sudden developed some kind of tumor... i am not sure, its on the left eye, and her eye is now ten times biggen than what it should be. I don't know how it happend, it has never been sick once, and it does not act any different. shes 7 months old, and i don't know what is happening to her. please if anyone knows what is happening or treatments .. tell me thanks
I own a 7 month old veiled chameleon female. However, since purchasing her last week I noticed a red lump coming out from under her tail. Upon contacting the vet I was told she suffered from an inverted rectum. She is now at the vet awaiting surgery and has only been given a 50% chance of survival. Has anyone else had this problem? Any information would be great!
Posted by: Kamilah at August 15, 2006 08:42 PMMy veiled chameleon has been staying on the floor of his cage for the past two days or so...usually he has pretty typical bahavior, moving around his cage and eating regularly. I noticed that he was having issues with his head shedding last week which made him open his mouth really wide like he was going nuts--I think to stretch out his skin to lose the shedding skin??? The recent shedding has been the only thing going on with him recently, so I have no idea why he's spending so much time on the floor--I dont know if he is eating, it's hard to tell today. What may this abnormal floor behavior be related to???? Thanks.
Posted by: Lauren at August 24, 2006 09:51 AMI just wanted to leave you a quick Thanks, Jeff, for all of the info given here. You've helped me determine where a local petstore went wrong with their young cham, and if they dare get another I'm now armed with an arsenal of info to make sure they get this one right. Thank you.
Posted by: Jess at August 31, 2006 10:13 AMHi Q.im looking for a tank ,im looking at the exo terra flexerium and its going in my room i was just wondering if it will make all my room damp/moist threw the humidity ? if so is there anythink i can do to stop it or do u recoment something else ??? thx
danny
I have had my chameleon for about a month now and he's two months old. I was reading one of tip websites for making sure you're not killing you're chameleon and it said that it's stool should be a yellow colour and that if it is not it could be a sign of dehydration. His stool is completely white. I spray his cage 2-3 times a day but i have never seen him drink water. i'm a little worried, what should i do?
Posted by: Rachael at September 10, 2006 03:10 PM@Rachel: You might try showering your chameleon: http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/weblog/archives/000232.html
Mostly, though, I think that it is best to find a way to ensure that there is always water available for your chameleon, rather than making it wait for someone to come and water it. I use a showering type of set-up inside the chameleon's reptarium. One of those lawn fertilizing gizmos is filled with water, pumped up with air, and then a lawn hose sprinkler timer mechanism sets the water to go off 3 times per day for 1 minute apiece. Now that's still making the chameleon wait for the shower, BUT I've discovered that little drops of water form at the end of the sprayer between showers and the chameleon licks them off at his liesure.
Ideally, a dripper of some kind would be used, but I've found them to be a pain.
One method that some people have had a lot of success with is to *supplement* the daily spraying with a gravity type of waterer, the kind with a tube that hamsters and mice use.
Good luck.
ps: I'm pretty sure that *I* have never said anything here about yellow stool indicating anything. I can find plenty of pages where other people have brought it up, but I don't think that I've ever given it a second of thought until now.
Posted by: Jeff at September 10, 2006 03:22 PMi have a vielied chamaleon that is about 6 or 7 months old..she just layed some eggs last night but i don't have a proper laying spot for her..she layed them so is she ok...n should i get a proper laying site for her in the near future? and does the chamaleon need a water supply in the tank?
Posted by: Betsi shipton at September 18, 2006 08:12 AMhey i just aquired a 4-5 month old male vailed chamealeon, now seems that he was not being taken care of from previous owner, they kept him in a smale kritter cage eating only what the owner could catch (house flys) no proper light, anyways on the friday i got him i fed him about 5-8 crickets and he was very energetic, i took him home put him in a 20 gallon tank with proper light and vines and sticks and things, he has propert temp and humidity, now saterday he was fine but did not eat anything, i figured it was stress, but on sunday i woke up and he was laying on the floor sprawled out looked terribal, so i went and bought him mealworms and some veggies but he will not touch anything.he has lost weight i beleave he has the bone disease but not sure, i put him on the branches by the heat in hopes of the uv helping him still no luck he just sleeps doesn't eat stays same colour no energy, i constantly mist him to get him hydrated but he just looks horribal, heres the kicker at 4-5 months old with his tail stretch out he is only 4 inches at the most, any info will be helpful.. thank you
Posted by: chris at September 25, 2006 01:19 PMI have a 3 year old veiled chameleon and i'm noticing two big bumps on his face above his eyes in the middle of the forehead not sure what it could be any suggestion before i take him to the vet that i can do at home.
Posted by: kane at September 26, 2006 07:24 PMHi, I was just wondering if you could help me out here. I was ding some research on chameleons for a project I am doing for school, and I couldnt find anything on this particular section. So I was wondering if you could tell me, are there any rules and regulations on certin types of material put in a chameleons cage. For example, do the toys have to be made out of plastic only or somthing else.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Phil at October 1, 2006 02:53 PMHello all. I just got my first chameleon (although i've raised reptiles all my life). He's 6 months old, CB, very healthy, good previous owner, although his veil isnt perfectly straight (i was told it was genetics, is that true or BS?). Anyway, I have him free range on a big plant in my room (its a money tree, not a ficus or pothos, but its non toxic and gives lots of room to move around) and my biggest concern is dehydration. I'm getting a little pond with waterfall setup soon but i think its still pretty dry in here (i cant make it "rain"). The "scare page" on hydration link is expired. Does someone have that info I'd like to see it. Thanks!
Posted by: TinTin at October 6, 2006 12:22 PMOk i just tried the whole "spray-jet him in the side of the mouth" and he hated it hahahaha. Well i expected that but i'll get him used to it hopefully. Another thing i've started doing is having him in the bathroom when i shower in the mornings. I water here gets really hot, so i turn it on and close the windows/door to the bathroom to make it warm and steamy, then take him in with a branch to chill on the sink, then i have my morning shower. Pretty unconventional, but i thought it might help with shedding/hydration issues. Any thoughts? Is 10-15 mins of steam per day good for him? bad? ineffective?
Posted by: TinTin at October 6, 2006 12:31 PMIve just brought a baby female Veiled Chameleon i know Chameleons are shy cretures and whenever i try to get her out she hisses and turns a dark green colour, but when shes out she turns back to bright green and starts to walk.
Am i stressing her out to much? is it best to carry on this process of getting her out accasional so she gets used to it?,
Or is it not a question on weither she'd get used to it or not? Also i have a 60W basking Spotlamp is this suitable for a baby Chameleon?
Thanks Alot
so i have a female chameleon and she is sick, i am like freakin out cuz she is super dehydrated and although she trys to eat her tounge wont come out all the way or she miss' her crickets and worms. i took her to the vet and they are as useless as a tit on a bore. it cost me over 200 bucks for her to hum and ha over "ohhh maybe metobolic, maybe egg bound maybe impacted..."
now i am looking at her and it looks like her freakin arm is broken, her left front arm looks as if it has 2 elbos! but she can grip and moove it although she was havin trouble gettin it to go where she wanted it(on the branch) please if you know anything, you are like my last hope and from all of the stuff i have read on this site you know mmore then any of the vets i have gone to, hell one place told me to put her in a glass tank when we first got her...please any guess'?!
thank you so much for you time!
Hello, if anyone can help me with my 2 month old veiled chameleon that I have just purchase it would be very helpful. I just notice last night that all she does is sleep. I picked her up and she would move a couple of steps and closes her eyes. Then later on when I put her back in her cage she had her eyes open and mouth wide open as if she was hissing but wouldn't close it. Also notice some clear substance coming from her mouth. Just wanted to know is this nature or is it a sign that she is sick. Thank in advance for any helpful hints.
Posted by: karen at October 25, 2006 08:29 AMim about to get a veiled chameleon.I was wondering what kind of plant i should get?
Posted by: zac at November 9, 2006 03:01 PMHI all!
Can you tell me where may i buy this creature in EUROPE? and what needs to feed its? :)
hey, i have my baby boy(Stan) in an aquarium, why is it so bad? its about a foot tall and i have a 75 watt on him, is it to hot? if so why does he go nder thelight all the time?
Posted by: sara at November 17, 2006 08:53 PMAquariums lead to respiratory problems and eye problems in chameleons. They are deadly.
Posted by: Jeff at November 18, 2006 02:29 PMHi, any help for a really sick chameleon.... Drags just came back from the vet after having her eggs and uterus removed (she refused to lay) and even after trying hormones she still wouln't lay. She survived the operation and has lasted 4 days so far but thin and still dehydrated. We have been hand feeding her a special mush with calcium, isotonic liquid and she seems to be less skeletal but I am still worried about her hydration, today she won't even open her mouth and is very sleepy, have tried misting, steam in the room and have seen her at her fountain but still sunken eyes, any other suggestions of how to urgently hydrate her without too much stress?
Posted by: Dragoon at November 20, 2006 08:14 AMHi i just got my chameleon about two days ago. The first and second day he was eating like a champ. I never see him drink water at all i try everything i mist the cage twice or more a day, I have a dripper, I put ice cubes on the top, I gave it some what of a shower, he just does not drink. I see him rubbing his right eye on vines and now i see it sink in a little. Is he dehydrated? How can i get her ot drink??
Posted by: Corey at December 3, 2006 08:28 AMwhy does my veiled chameleon not climb very well and sticks its tongue out all the time
Posted by: V-D GIRL at December 6, 2006 11:33 AMHi i a veiled chameleon and hes a month old hes really small and ive noticed him eat maybe one-2 fruit flies a day and he seems too like hanging around the moss more than climbing. Is it normal that he only eats such a small amount for such a young cham. Im starting to get worried, especially cuz he has a brother same age twice his size. Help!
Posted by: Charliegirl at December 12, 2006 03:56 AMLooking for some help - got a 9 month old veiled chameleon and she just won't open her eyes. She has been healthy and I have what I thought are all the right things for her environment. What can I do. She is also shedding around her face. Anyone with some help.
Thanks
hey i have had a chameleon for 1 year and i was wondering if u can add something to the tank (like something he can climb in?) cuz i don't like the idea of his life stuck in the same cage.
Posted by: Brooke at December 21, 2006 08:42 PMhey i have had a chameleon for 1 year and i was wondering if u can add something to the tank (like something he can climb in?) cuz i don't like the idea of his life stuck in the same cage.
could u email me back at wildhorses_08@hotmail.com? thx.
Jeff, we have a veiled chameleon that is about 4 months old.. he was perfectly fine until the other day we realized that he wasn't moving much and doesn't seem to climb his trees anymore.. it really looks like he may be getting metabolic bone disease... there are no vets that take reptile anywhere around here and we don't know what to do... PLEASE HELP!!
Posted by: Randi at December 22, 2006 01:35 PMhey jeff what is the age that the chameleons starts to change colours other than green black
Posted by: barry at December 26, 2006 01:53 PMand aslo does anyone no when they usally lay there first batch of eggs and what they look like i would really apperiate the info
Posted by: barry at December 26, 2006 01:57 PMi recently purchased a chameleon and lately he's been acting funny, he's not climbing around as much as usual and his legs look funny, almost bending in a way that doesn't look normal, i'm just wondering if anyone knows what the problem may be, it'd be much appreciated, thanks
Posted by: Mike at December 27, 2006 09:44 AMto be specific his back left leg is bent between his knee and his body and his back right leg is bent between his knee and his foot, and both front legs are starting to bow out from the elbow down
still waiting for feedback
why cant i post on chameleon forums?
Posted by: barry at December 28, 2006 02:29 PMi registered so whats the deal
Posted by: barry at December 28, 2006 02:30 PMmy male panther chamleon left eye is a little weak and i dont know why..he eats alot and i have a auto mistter in an 6 foot cage..please help
Posted by: len at January 14, 2007 04:28 PMalso is it ok to have moss in the cage because sometimes when he goes after cirkets he also eats the moss.....and do chamleons eat any veggies if so what kind????
Posted by: LEN at January 14, 2007 04:36 PMhi. we have the cutest little chameleon named verdi. we love him all to pieces. he's like a little old man, but green!
the problem? the other day we let him out of his enclosure and put him in one of the houseplants (which he loves), but a few hours later, he is nowhere to be found! i'm going crazy. i've gone over every inch of our house with a flashlight (baseboards, corners, every plant and tree in the house, on top of and behind all book shelves and furniture), but i cannot find him anywhere! any advice on where he's likely to be hiding out or trying to get to? my biggest worry is that he'll get too cold or dehydrated before we can find him.
please help!
Posted by: shirelle at February 3, 2007 10:39 PMI am considering buying a chameleon as I think they are class! I already have a ball python and im well used to looking after animals. I was wondering what is the best type of chameleon to start off with? Just as corn snakes are the best snakes for people to start off with because they are easy to look after. My brother breeds snakes and has had many different lizards like leopard geckos etc. Could you help me out? Shaz from Northern Ireland
Posted by: Sharon Calvert at February 6, 2007 06:55 AMAny tips for caring for a veiled chameleon? Or where to get one? Any tips would be useful!
Posted by: Cindy at February 17, 2007 03:33 PMI have a 3 to 3 1/2 month old chameleon, I have had her for about 2 months, i just found out about the UVB lighting that is necessary for them to to grow adequate bones and get the calcium they need, the place i bought her from failed to tell me this. I was wondering if i take her to the vet and get her a calcium shot....would this more than likely heal her and insure that she will live? I feel so bad...she can still flick her tounge but she has the weak grip, and just looks really weak, i noticed the symptoms about a month ago but just thought that she stopped pump faking and the swagger in her step b/c she was used to me and wasn't trying to hide anymore!? Please someone give me some advice....She is my baby and I don't want her to die!
Posted by: Mallorie at February 18, 2007 08:01 PMive got a 1 year old chameleon called lol.
i had another but he died of metabolic bone desise all his bones were mangled, he couldn't climb.a few days before he died he started to fall off all his branches. so if anyone has any worries about the legs and arms of your chameleon it might have bone desiese, so get some calcium for ur chameleon. put it on the locusts and on the greesn.
Dan
My baby jack chameleon is weak, doesnt want to eat, and dosnt want to move. What should I do?
Posted by: Janet at March 14, 2007 06:28 AMI just bought a veiled chameleon two weeks ago and it's about 2 and a half months old, named Ollie. Anyway....Ollie always rubs his eyes really hard on braches. Sometimes it looks like it's so painful and I feel bad. Could this be an infection or what?? Please help!
Posted by: Kristina at March 23, 2007 08:03 AMThis comment is for Cindy (Feb. 17/2007).....Contact Reptilia! They're very helpful and knowledgeable. I just bought my veiled chameleon from them. I don't know what area you're in, so just look them up.
Posted by: Kristina at March 23, 2007 09:21 AMHi.my chameleon might be pregnant how do i know if it is really pregnant?
P.S
Sorry about the last message.Iwas really stressed out. :D so,thanks. megan signing out!
lol!!
Posted by: Megan Clark at March 26, 2007 12:24 PMHI we have a girl jackson and we think shes dieing how would we know?
Posted by: Roxanne M Carroll at April 7, 2007 03:46 AMMR ROMAN ANTOM
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)
ABIDJAN COTE
'DIVOIRE
DEAR FRIEND,
My name is Mr. Roman Antom , I am the manager of bill and exchange at the foreign remittance department of Bank Of Africa (B.O.A). In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of US$13.5 (thirteen million five hundred thousand US dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer who died along with his entire family in a plane crash that happened in Kenya, East Africa.
Since we got information about his death, we have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because we cannot release it unless some body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines and laws but unfortunately we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim.
It is therefore upon this discovery that I now decided to make this business proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it and I don't want this money to go into the bank treasury as unclaimed bill.
I agree that 40% of this money will be for you as a foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign account, and 60% would be for me,here after I will visit your country for disbursement according to the ercentage indicated.
Therefore, to enable the immediate transfer of his fund to you as arranged, you must apply first to the bank as relation or next of kin of the deceased indicating your bank name, your bank account number, your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective communication and location wherein the money will be remitted.
Upon the receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax or email the ext of the application to fill and send to the bank.
I will not fail to ring to your notice that this transaction is 100% Risk free and you should keep this transaction (TOP SECRET) and this transaction will only take us 14 banking days in the acceptance of this proposal because as a banker, I now what to do and move the fund into your account without any delay and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer.
You should contact me as soon as you receive this letter for the forther ditells . Email : romanantom@yahoo.com.
Yours faithfully.
MR ROMAN ANTOM.
Bill & Exchange Manager,
BANK OF
AFRICA (B.O.A)
MR ROMAN ANTOM
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)
ABIDJAN COTE
'DIVOIRE
DEAR FRIEND,
My name is Mr. Roman Antom , I am the manager of bill and exchange at the foreign remittance department of Bank Of Africa (B.O.A). In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of US$13.5 (thirteen million five hundred thousand US dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer who died along with his entire family in a plane crash that happened in Kenya, East Africa.
Since we got information about his death, we have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because we cannot release it unless some body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines and laws but unfortunately we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim.
It is therefore upon this discovery that I now decided to make this business proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it and I don't want this money to go into the bank treasury as unclaimed bill.
I agree that 40% of this money will be for you as a foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign account, and 60% would be for me,here after I will visit your country for disbursement according to the ercentage indicated.
Therefore, to enable the immediate transfer of his fund to you as arranged, you must apply first to the bank as relation or next of kin of the deceased indicating your bank name, your bank account number, your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective communication and location wherein the money will be remitted.
Upon the receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax or email the ext of the application to fill and send to the bank.
I will not fail to ring to your notice that this transaction is 100% Risk free and you should keep this transaction (TOP SECRET) and this transaction will only take us 14 banking days in the acceptance of this proposal because as a banker, I now what to do and move the fund into your account without any delay and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer.
You should contact me as soon as you receive this letter for the forther ditells . Email : romanantom@yahoo.com.
Yours faithfully.
MR ROMAN ANTOM.
Bill & Exchange Manager,
BANK OF
AFRICA (B.O.A)
There were a couple of comments about why you should wait to move the chameleon to a bigger cage. My friend uses a breeder that said you are supposed to wait because if the cage is too big then they may have trouble finding their food. They put theirs in a small cage just in case that was correct and then later read in one of their books that it really is the best thing to do for them. Once they are grown the, the bigger, the better.
Posted by: Flori at April 10, 2007 05:18 PMhey..i just bought a senegal female chameleon and i have a few questions....i love her soo much that i am getting one for my birthday..what is the best one to get??? and also...if i strted holding my chameleon when she is really young...then will she mind being held later on???thank you sooo much please answer..i love your site
Posted by: jake at April 13, 2007 02:26 PMGood Morning,
I have a 2 month old Veiled Chameleon and for some reason he has a white fuzzy growth in or around in nose. Do you know what this is and is there any way to cure it??
Please let me know.
Thank you,
Natasha
the white stuff around the nose is A) salt build up from perspiration or B) a build up of excess vitamin and mineral supplements.. chameleon secrete both of these from their nostrils and they are not much cause for alarm.. just wipe it away with a very damp qtip.. and perhaps cut back on the supplements and check his/her basking temps :) for a two month old veiled basking temps should only be around 80 degrees
Posted by: Cherron at May 4, 2007 06:59 AMmy chameleon is a boy named Duckie and he gets kindof angry if anybody gets near him, except me. he likes to crawl on my arm every now and then,too, but if sombody else tries to touch him he gapes at them. is this normal?
Posted by: me at May 15, 2007 07:41 PMmy chameleon shed about a week ago, but he stoped eating before he shed. i dont know if he went on a hunger strike or if its normal to stop eating before they shed. can you tell me?
Posted by: ashton at May 17, 2007 07:38 PMHi ive had my chameleon about a month now and for the past few days she's not opened her eyes i know she can because she does it now and again but she's just not the same, she's very lazy can hardly hold her head up it's like she's stoned or something. She's 6 months old and is a flap neck.
any help on what to do would be very grateful
hi i have had my chameleon for about 2 years now, I have had to take her to the vet b4 when her one eyeball swelled up due to a blocked nasal/eye passage and we gave her multi vitamin supplement and she has been fine since but she also has a bump in between her eyes. it was there when we were at the vet and he said that the multi-vitamin should take care of it but its still there , and now my one friend is convinced its getting bigger. I think all i can do is continue with the multi vitamin again , does anyone else have ne suggestions or info it would be sooo greatly appreciated even if just for piece of mind ThAnKs!!!!!
Posted by: dani at June 12, 2007 10:07 AMwhat if u have to take your veiled cham with u on a train do you think it will last from 7am till 1pm?and will it eat other stuff besides live insects?how long will it last with out food and water?and how many times a day do you feed and water it?
Posted by: patrick at July 1, 2007 11:16 AMHave just got my first pair of chameleons 2 weeks ago they are great. I have a young male and female about 2 months old. Watching them feed is amazing not noticed them drink yet. I mist every morning, afternoon, and evening there are silk plants also a weeping fig (ficus) which i was told would be more than acceptable for them. They are in a 70 gal tank with a 40w repti glo 10.0 UVB bulb and a 60w heat lamp and heat mat. I have read a lot of info on them regarding there food, water, temperature and living conditions. My male hides all the time but the female is out and about most of the day. What kind of tips can you give me to help me keep them nice and healthy. Have noticed today Mildred (female) is sitting in the basking area with her mouth open is this normal as i can't find any reference to this behaviour in any of care sheets/ web sites.
Tip 1: Get them out of that tank and into a proper mesh enclosure.
Posted by: Jeff at July 6, 2007 12:47 PMThe tank does have large mesh top is the ok?
Posted by: stephen at July 6, 2007 02:36 PMI had a female veiled chameleon about two years ago and she died from eggbound. (We did not know that female chameleons lay eggs even if they are not fertile. She laid some eggs and we thought she was done, but was still retaining some of the eggs, by the time I had her booked to see the vet it was too late and she died the night before I was going to take her). I am looking into getting another veiled chameleon, hopefully a male, and am wondering if there is any common problems that relate to the males, such as eggbound for females. I want to make sure that I know every possible problem for male chameleons before I purchase one so that I can be prepared if something happens. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Janice
Posted by: Janice