10 Common Chameleon Owner Mistakes
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
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Hi, there! I just wanted to point out that the very best option of uvb is a T5 High Output light fixture that is at least as long as the width of the enclosure (so that it can go straight across, or get one a little longer to go diagonal on top of the enclosure). The best brand for uvb is Arcadia, and the bulb strength (6%, 12%, etc) is determined by the amount of uvb let through the screen of the top of the enclosure and how far away the bulb is from the basking area, along with the specific uvb requirements of each individual chameleon species. A UVI meter is a great tool to have for measuring this, and Arcadia Reptile’s website has all of the UVI measurements for each species.
Do you have any ideas on where i could i get one f these
Thank you! Looking at adopting a veiled cham this week & this video really fleshed out a lot of the points I'm seeing mentioned on them.
There is one that I hoped you would mention. Handling your chameleon by enveloping it in your hands, and putting your hands on the chameleon's back. This is a common mistake among the people I know.
Lucy the Goosey very true! Thank you for adding it in a comment!
Can you elaborate on why?
Im glad to see more videos like this that are more species specific. Especially for chameleons. They're usually lumped into a really vague 'lizard' group and most of the things i've seen or heard apply more to arboreal geckos rather than chameleons themselves, so thank you!
Also your boy is stunning, i've got a girl myself so she's not as colorful but regardless they're beautiful animals
Hi there! New subscriber and chameleon keeper! I want to thank you for your information and reassurance about the lighting and uvb. It’s definitely difficult to know what is best with all of the groups and people saying what is best. The high output lighting is unavailable in my area for a while as it is sold out so I was worried a T8 wasn’t going to be good enough because many of the groups on fb despise them but I do feel better now. Thank you!!!
Great video!!! Very informative thanks for the insight!
I loveee you videos they keep so soo entertained during this lockdown ❤My beardie Rouge also loves watching youre videos , dont watch them without her❤❤
Awww thank you guys so much for supporting me. I’m sending you both love 💕💕💕
Don't have a chameleon or plan on getting one, but I love your videos and this is great content! I agree that uvb is so difficult to figure out, I had a hell of a time when I was setting up my basilisk's enclosure 😅
I love chameleons, but it will be a while before I add one to the family. There are just so many other babies on the list, I'm going to need to move to a larger place before I get to that baby! Great video Tricia! These mistakes apply to other species, as well! 🤘
I love your videos! me and my 2 geckos love just chilling and watching them!
Interesting upload timing for me, just yesterday I decided that I was going to wait until I have my own place and am home more often to get my first chameleon. Now I want one sooner after watching this! But I will wait for the right time 👌
Thank you! This really helped I’m playing on getting a chameleon and I want to read as much as I can about them before I get it,
Thanks For All You Do ❤️
Wohooo! Its been about 6 months with my Cham cham and it is so nice to hear from expert reptile keepers that you are doing things correctly with the care of your Chameleon. I did keep my feeding bowl half way on his enclosure, I figure he could use some exercise. Haha
I want a chameleon but I don’t think I am ready to for the challenge. They are definitely something I would like to own in the future though. ❤️🦎
Please join Chameleon Central if you have future plans to own a chameleon. They have an abundance of information. I found the group about a 6 months ago and it was extremely helpful. The admins are very knowledgeable and helpful.
NatalieRalphs I will thank you so much! 😊
I bought a Veiled because he was a return and I felt bad, then after a few hours on CZcams I realized I was doing it wrong and I wasted so much money on the wrong things for him. I couldn’t re-return him so I had to bite the bulled and its been about a week and he’s good in his current set up but once my Amazon purchases come it’ll be perfect for him.
@@Tela.D Omg poor thing. Well it’s a good thing you did your research and are doing the responsible thing for you new baby
They are worth the tedious work. But once you have your chameleon on a schedule then you can basically have it run its self only thing you have to do is feed and water them
omg i’m sooooooo early!!!!!! i love you and your videos, you’ve helped me study a lot about chameleons. im getting one very soon. tysm💞💞💞💞💞💞
Good luck to you!!! That is very exciting. I’m glad I could help! 💕💕💕
First, also I have a veiled chameleon and this was very helpful! He’s a healthy boy.
Thank u for this video, please make more on chameleons!
Super informing, obssesed with your channel !
Great video Very informative 👍🏽👍🏽
Thank you this vid helped a lot 🥳
Thx I didn’t know we needed a better uvb we got a kit from where we got the cameleon so thx for informing us
Always great information 💙🦎🌿💙
So educational thank you :)
Great video, very glad I watched this video, I’m saving for a Pygmy Chameleon and this care info advice will be much needed , thanks !
Join Chameleon Central group on Facebook there is tons of info.
Such a educational and interesting video 👍
Greetings from Germany
How long have you been keeping reptiles again? Bc your expertise is so on point 😎 bloody impressive really...
Thank you so much! I started reptile keeping almost exactly 10 years ago. 💕
Except that she is wrong about using lights at night. It is animal abuse to use lights at night, and she is vague and unclear. She calls it "unnecessary ", which is mislabeled. You're just come out more clearly and call it Wrong in clear terms. Simplify and be clear, and tell them str8 up to never use lights at night, ever.
@@yestonymontana2257 Be a teacher not an enemy 😊
My feeding bowl is up high ,but my brand new 1 day home chameleon goes down the enclosure to hunt for crickets. He also sleep on the misting nozzle. Really active as well.
Great information have to look into maybe getting one when I move thinking of starting a reptile room getting close to my retirement and have to find a good hobby already planning on getting a pair of pie ball pythons maybe try breeding them just for hobby but great video kiddo thanks always love your videos kiddo
Awesome video! A lot of good information 😊 T5HO is arguably the best but so many people have had success with T8. I personally love my T5 so much more because it isn't as bulky as the t8 I had
I have a t5 for Dude and I like how it looks better too. 😅 I’ll have to just get one for Banba too since they’re more effective
I have a t5 for Dude and I like how it looks better too. 😅 I’ll have to just get one for Banba too since they’re more effective
I’ve wanted a chameleon for a while now, and I’m trying to get my mom to let me keep one. I’m learning so much from these videos!
I would probably start with other reptiles if this will be your first. Chameleons are a more advanced care animal and I wouldn't consider them for beginners (but I dont know if you have previous experience with reptiles)
Thank you ❣️
A T5 High Output 24" length minimum should be the only light fixture and bulb that should be used for chameleon especially in a 4ft enclosure. I've linked a video on the different types of uvb bulbs please watch and if you are on Facebook there is a very helpful group called Chameleon Central that has tons of files on chameleon care and people that can help you learn everything you need to know on keeping your chameleon happy and healthy.
Love love your educational videos. These are things I always wondered and why i never decided to get a chameleon. Can you make one like this on bearded dragons? Please 🙏😬
Whiskey Quests Absolutely!!!
Reptilian Garden ♥️
Hello I have a question
I have had my chameleon since December and since then I have never seen him shed. Would he have any problems?
A T8 5.0 going through a screen top gives minimal UVB at just a few inches.
ALWAYS use a T5 HO.
Hey! I love your videos! I just got a juvenile chameleon, and we didn't have a good enclosure because it was too big, so we made a DIY enclosure. Anyways, he ate some gut-loaded mealworms just out in the open, and not in an enclosure. I was really surprised, but that must have meant he was just starving. Today, when I tried to feed him, he just seemed shy, which is understandable because he is new. I put some more in a little bowl so he can see them, and I was wondering if everything is ok. Will he be ok? Can I leave food in the bowl and let him help himself? Thanks so much!
My previous question about whether the “desert” strip UVB is okay (versus the “tropical” which you recommended) forgot to mention I have a veiled chameleon in a large cage. Veiled chameleons sometimes come from the desert, and my enclosure is just so huge. But perhaps there’s something I don’t know about the compatibility of these lights!
I just don’t want to make the wrong choice.
Thank you so much
The issue is how much UVB the chameleon gets. Ideally you want a solar meter to measure uvb. They aren’t cheap $200+. You can use the “dessert” t5 ho bulb and just raise it a few more inches above the screen top.
I have one 100wUVB/heat bulb in a 2x2x4ft screen enclosure . Is that good for it??
What type of feeding bowl do you use? I am a new chameleon owner and I bought a screen enclosure and I wanted to know what type you used and the easiest to attach?
I m so glad that you tell the whole world which uvb is dangerous for chameleons👏 There are so many bad lamps on the market🙄
My Cham drinks from a water bowl tho lmao
I picked up a tiki water fountain and also have a dripper. I did see him drink from the dripper asap. Will it drink from the tiki head/pump that circulates into a bowl? If not I'll remove it.
What's really annoying is I bought a chameleon kit that apparently has the wrong type of bulb.
I did a few mistake... 😭😭😭😭😂😂
We all have. There’s no shame in making mistakes as long as we learn from them and improve! 💕💕💕
I have a panther , veiled, and a Jackson’s and I’ve been using the smaller uvb and it’s a 5.0 and they are doing great
I’m glad yours are doing so well! I have heard a lot of stories where they are problematic, which is why I recommend using others. Again, there are many ways to keep them and if you found a way that works for your animals, keep it up! 💕
The T5HO (high output) 24" is a great fixture to swap to also both veiled and panthers require 10.0 uvb bulbs.
U must change it
I’ve done my research There are other bulbs you can use,they all do the same thing some have higher percentages people discriminate against those bulbs because they are easily biased when It comes to social media. I have a rescued veiled chameleon that has permanent uvb damage on his back and the light that I have now works. The burn on his side is disappearing with each shed.
Is a dripper required? I've been hand spraying for about a minute 3 times a day. is that sufficient? didn't know if the dripper was also needed. great video and thanks!
If your chameleon is staying hydrated with just spraying you don't necessarily need a dripper. But if it is not then you will most definitely need one. Do you know what to look for? I advise joining chameleon central group on Facebook you can find the listed signs of dehydration in their files.
is that the cta train in the background haha blue line i assume?
What if I take my cage outside for sunlight few hrs a day . It’s tropical where I’m at and always in high 80’s low 90s nvr drops below 70s ... even at night maybe high 60s at worse which is hardly ever ... is the lighting that comes with the kit still ok?
I have T5 10.0 and 5.0 uvb bulbs, that go into the T5 HO hood, but my Chameleon is only around 2 or 3 weeks old. How should I mount the hood ontop of my Chameleons enclosure?
I bought the strip UVB light you recommended, but the “desert” one instead of the “tropical.” Should I return the light in exchange for the tropical one?
I chose desert because it seemed stronger and my enclosure mesh blocks a lot of light
Hi, I know this comment was directed toward Trish but I’ve got an answer to your question: Return the strip light if you can. You’re going to want the tropical 6% bulb for a chameleon - the 12% desert strip light is going to be too strong. Should you choose to use the 12% bulb anyway, you would need to mount the 12% bulb 6 inches above the top of the cage to keep from frying your chameleon.Typically, there should be a distance of 6-8 inches from the UVB bulb sitting over the top of your cage to where your chameleon sits. It would be best to get a solar meter 6.5 to measure UVI (you don’t want anything over 5). You can find lots of useful information about this here: chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-cage-set-up-replicating-the-sun/
You can get lots of chameleon questions answered here, too: www.chameleonforums.com/
I changed the angle of my lights when I moved my veiled chameleon's cages, and they stopped drinking water all day just because dripper was in the shadow. Make sure the light reflects on the water for them to see.
my roommate gave me her chameleon(camellia, veiled, stubborn/territorial as hell ) and i felt as though something was wrong with her idk if i was stressing or if i actually could see the onset signs of MBD but, her lighting was totally off, like the EXACT example you gave, she would leave her food bowl on the ground, she'd leave a light on at night for her, and rarely misted.
my roommate brought her in 6 months ago, and shes about a year old give or take. my roommates had her since she was itty bitty and kept her habitat like that for the first year of her life. camellia was taken out of her cage like the first week or two after she was brought up, but hasnt been out in probably 4-5 months.
ive only had ownership of her for like 2 days, and have done nothing but research, this video told me everything, even your other videos.
Today (2nd day owning her), I got her to eat out of my hand, then once i saw this i paused, went to petsmart, and got her a brand new lamp, she was bright soft green as soon as she saw the bulb turn on, then i tried the trick to tame and get her out of the cage and it worked!!
First time shes been out in 5 months and i swear she couldnt have been happier, stayed that soft green, didnt want to get off when i brought her back to the cage, slept in my hand!! hand of all places! and now i have her light off and its bed time! thank you so so much for all the advice, we've bonded already and we surely appreciate it!!
Are UVB lights different from heat lamps? Also do i need to be hanging my light up off the screen at the top?
good stuff the best point you make is that people have to educate themself buy a book or become a member from a Chameleon forum and check where the nearest reptile vet is in your neighbourhood also i like to ad.... because a chameleon can catch food with is tongue people should not over stretch that to much cause it can damage real fast !!
Thank you so much for sharing these valid points! 💕💕💕
I just suddenly wanted a Chamaeleon and so I asked my mom and she will tell me yes or no next Monday I’m so excited
Coloni Brown- Good luck!!
Question is the care for different chameleons the same or different?
My sister has a chameleon that I am going to take over full time in a month. She’s already had him for 1-2 years, but we could never figure out how to get a drip system or automatic mister set up. Right now we have a little waterfall which has a water dish at the bottom that goes through a filter and goes back up to the top. Do you think that’s a good source of hydration? If not, do you have any suggestions?
I've had the best luck with the E/T "Dripper Plants". I got mine on Amazon, but most pet stores carry them, too. Use both if you can, but the plants are their natural drinking environment in the rain forests.
Good job helpful info done well I haven't had a chameleon for 30 years and probably won't cause of there short lifespan cant putum in my will love yer rainbow boa keep up the great work it is work !!!
What do you put on the bottom of the chameleon habitat? I know that moss and soil can sometimes be harmful so I don’t know what to use.
I personally keep it completely empty so that I can easily wipe it down and clean it.
after watching this, I decided to just keep a cockroaches for pet, I heard they can even survive a nuclear bomb. thanks
5.0 you recommend instead of 10.0 for uvb?
will these tips work with a panther chameleon?
I just got a yesterday and it was okay when we got home but today it’s been very dark and is shedding a lot I don’t know why it’s so dark he looks uncomfortable from the shedding I don’t know what to do???
Chameleons usually are "dark" when they are cold, or sleeping (curled-tail). Their emotions like alarm, discomfort, the wish to mate, and feeling great is when they "fire up", and the mature males show those wonderful colors. Shedding is part of growing. It's a good thing, in indicating your new pet has been eating. Give him some time to acclimate to his new environment, and make sure he's watered. I, and my Ambilobe-region Panther Chameleon, "Cameron" love the "dripper-plants" available for drinking, and a nursery store plant-mister is especially good for a chameleon in shed, but don't spray too close, they hate that, and then for routine misting. Young Chameleons love crickets to start, then try meal, and later the "King (Super) worms", tropical feeder roaches, etc. Try to keep a variety on hand. I use a feeder cup for presenting meals. Like every book, and video will tell you chameleons are naturally of the terrified, type-shy creatures. They survive in the wilds by living in the background, unnoticed as they stalk their next insect meal. I've had mine living 4-feet from my bed since he was tiny, and only reason he runs up my arm is because he knows it leads to "free-ranging". I'm just a last resort, time tested (3-years- now), "transport device" to the the highest vantage point, or lookout (window) in the room. Their end goal being to get outdoors, or at least out of reach, and preferably out of sight, too. They make a fantastic, beautiful, graceful, mostly hands-off companions.
i can second the wrong uvb thing, its not that the compact uvb is bad in a sense. its that the one that is usually recommended by the petshop are byfar too weak to penetrate through a mesh wire. because the design of the bulb is to spread from the middle of the bulb. the 30-50% loss from a screen almost makes the uvb bulb practically useless.
using personal experience, used a uv tester card on an exoterra 100 compact on it, which is recommended for a chameleon on their site. without the use of the mesh it works fine, but the moment you place it on top of the mesh, it does not work AT ALL like no rays pass through.
10:25 not only reptiles, but a train I see
Since it’s a baby after the 1week would I be able to pick him up every other day for 15 minutes?
So we just bought our chameleon and do we have to have 2 lights or just the 5.0 tropical t8 uvb?
U need the t5 and a basking light
Your chameleons are so cute and if I get one he will be a baby I’m so so so excited would I be able to have him on my shoulder or is that bad
She's wrong about the glass tanks by the way. The tank style is just a tool of how much humidity you need to retain in your local environment. Any terrarium is going to have enough ventilation to not have stale air.
I just bought a baby veiled, is it normal for them to be dark brown for a couple days at the start? I understand they are terrified so the first week or so might stress them out?
That's absolutely right most every time. Give it time, food, and water, and heat...
where did u get ur chameleon?
when should I start to feed my veiled chameleon real veggies?
So I i get a chameleon can I put it in my room I use a fan but it’s still hot in my room?
I would love to own a panther chameleon but I live in Chicago and I think I would have trouble with Temps and humidity especially in my apartment with old drafty windows. Whats your opinion on that Trisha since you are from the same area?
I actually have a friend in Chicago who owns panther chameleons and he dedicated a whole room to them with multiple fog machines and plants galore to boost their humidity. By doing something like this, it is absolutely possible!
That pine cone pendy is very noice
Thank you! 💕
I agree with most of your points but not all. Glass tanks being one of them yes it they are done wrong it can be detrimental to the health of the chameleon. Instead of saying it's wrong maybe list ways to make them okay.
Also the coil UVB is alot better than no UVB at all. Chameleon need places to be able to escape the UVB.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I may make a video discussing tanks for chameleons further. I like to share general information to avoid issues. Generally tanks are problematic so I suggest to avoid them unless you have the knowledge and experience to do it.
As for uvb, it is better than nothing. I’ve just seen so many issues with MBD due to the coil bulbs, which is why I advise against it. Foliage can give proper shade from uvb as well.
I'm pretty sure chameleons do not need to escape the UVB. Chameleons have the UVB in the wild all day long. They just need to be able to get away from heat!
I am planning on getting Chameleon as a classroom pet. Would they be a good classroom pet?
No, chameleon's are not good class pets. They're solitary animals. They like their privacy and don't like to be handled to often. There's a lot that goes into their care: supplements/ live feeding ( gut loading ) proper lighting. Etc
Your better off getting a hamster or bearded dragon.
I have a female veiled chameleon and I gut load my crickets with Flukers high calcium food & high calcium hydration gel. Is it still necessary to dust my crickets with calcium? The pet store insists it's not necessary to do both, as they gut load the crickets with the same high calcium food. But I'm still skeptical. I do also give her Flukers liquid vitamin drops directly 3-4 times a week, and I dust any other worms I give her with calcium.
Dust all feeders with calcium!!
I have a question my chameleon will only eat the food if I is on the floor does that mean that there is something wrong with him??
Stalking is their natural feeding habit (style). Mine eats out of a cup, but he really loves it when he has to hunt the escapees!
I’ve made mistakes 1,7,8, but they were all fixed very soon and now it’s all good ! 😊
Oh hey Gewels :)
Glass enclosures are fine people don"t worry just do your research
What happens if your chameleon is going to the bottom of the enclosure and hanging out in the soil
What if my chameleon inclosure is 20 gallons and the top of the tank is completely screen but the rest of the tank is glass?
20 gallons is way too small. A 4 foot tall enclosure that is 2 feet wide and deep is the minimum. Glass can work, but in most cases it is far more challenging and can cause health issues in chameleons.
do you keep the uvb light on at night?
No
You are saying to not use glass cages or aquarium kinda but behind yourself , you using those , how that works?
I don’t recommend it for beginners because it can be more challenging to balance humidity and proper ventilation! I personally use pvc enclosures for my Panther chameleons with acrylic doors that have ventilation below the door and at the top. It works as a chimney effect and is perfect for chameleons! You can shop them here: www.zenhabitats.com/?aff=11
Question: Are male veiled chameleon’s more aggressive than the females?
crvzwned (not a chameleon owner) but from what I understand, yes🙂
Yesterday we just got home a 1 1/2 year old chameleon and he does not want to eat. We have bought some crickets, however, he has only ever eaten mealworm and will not eat them. What can I do to get him to eat?🦎
Maybe try a super worm? My Cham loves them. Also try Dubia roaches or hornworms.
They go crazy for waxworks too. My Cham went through that too.
How cant they get enough ventilation when there is a whole top part wide open for them
Hello i also Got a vieled chameleon
Congratulations!!! 💕💕💕
Thanks
She named Lasse
Ahh that's so exciting! 🥳
can u do one with leopard geckos?
YES PLEASE DO, TRICIA! I would love to see this!
I got one for free from Petco and he had two fractured back lags and I am so sacred
What kind of mister do you use for your chameleon?
I use a reptirain
Do you have any monitor lizards
Can I have a wood enclousure with just two screens
You can as long as you keep the proper humidity and temperature!
Something I feel like most new chameleon owners don't do is give their chameleons fruit and veggies. Veileds especially need/love to eat fruits and veggies and it's important for their diet to have that extra variety
She praises people who do their research and she gives advice for people who don't . Bamboozle girl , you're part of the research but we all knew that 😂😂😂
I have a chameleon he’s got a giant cage he’s had issues health issues his eyes are closed up I’ve got to get more drops for him his sperm plug glans were infected but those are getting better but I’m having to force feed him his bug food and water to keep him Hydrated & alive looks sort of better but not really please what do I do?! I love this Chamaeleon his name is Frank and I would just be devastated if something happened to him or I couldn’t get him the care he needed and deserves
Thanks bae 😛😚
My best friend wanted to get rid of her chameleon I had a bearded dragon so I thought I was ready...... ummm they r SO different like VERYYYY