Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do you know when a cham is about to shed. I noticed tonight that my Veileds tail is light brown. Does that mean he's about to shed or should I be worried about something else? Temp or otherwise?
Also, how can I make sure he's eating; he wont eat out of a dish. >_< Cham --->

So many of your posts remind me of me and all my obsessing about Luna! There are plenty of folks here who remember it well! Granted, I lost her last July, but she came with some health problems which, in part, contributed to her demise. I also did some "micromanaging" (a recent thread) because I worried about every little thing and that too may have had some impact – but I do know she got well intentioned care while she was with me. I spent lots of time, money and worry on my little girl, and frankly have no regrets as most of them were valid, but if I learned anything (and actually, I learned a lot) it is to sit back and enjoy. I will be getting a new cham later this week and have already begun to deal with how much I “could” be obsessing, but instead will give him time to adjust – then I will begin! Lol!!!

In all seriousness…I think that your concern is what makes you stand out as a good cham mom. Listen to what everyone here has to say…you will quickly, if you haven’t already, figure out those with experience and those who just think they do, but even those latter do care but also follow your gut – sometimes we just know. As confused and frantic as I was the day Luna died, I knew that waiting for the return phone call was not part of it - she needed to go.

You have found a home here among us. Although it has been 8 months since I have had a cham in this house I only left the forum for a while soon after I lost Luna. The support during and after was amazing and I have always appreciated everyone here who cared – and that is everyone. Some have disappeared and newbies have appeared but it is a community nonetheless.

Sorry to get so sappy, but setting up Luna’s cage for my new little guy has gotten me a bit weepy and I see a lot of “me” in “you.”

Oh, and about that funny tail color? It just means the tail will fall off in the next day or two! JK!! It is likely a shed (they shed like crazy as youngsters!) and you will soon get used to how funny that can look!

Eating...it may take him some time to adjust, but you can try hand feeding (or using tweezers/forceps) to offer.

Kisses to little Nigel

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

lele, that was a really touching post! Just the mental image of you carefully touching things that used to be your Luna's brought tears to my eyes. I don't know you well, as I am one of the "newby's" you mentioned, but I read ALL of the posts on this forum and have for months and I just want to say how happy I am that you decided to get another cham. As hard as it is to get attached to one and lose it, you were meant to own a chameleon. Good luck with your new one-they are one lucky cham to have ended up at your house! Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Yes, it is hard not to worry, I was the same way when I first brought home my baby girl. I asked my mom probably a thousand questions. I am sure you were the best mom to Luna. And you will be a great mom to your new cham. When it your new little baby coming home?? I can't wait to see pics. I think Screameleons was a good choice. I saw some of Sub Zero's kids there!! Absolutly beautiful!!!! You are one lucky cham mom.

Losing a pet is the hardest part. No matter how small they are we love them and they become part of the family. But I am always thankful that they were there to enrich my life for the time they were. I lost a bird last year. Storm got sick and I tried everything. It didn't help. I knew he was going to go. I posted his pic. It's harder for me I think when I think they might make it. But I buried him in the back yard, wraped in a shoe box with a little angel and bird charm. When my brothers baby turkey died who I thought was gonna make it, my brother asked me to say a prayer and I could barely talk. But, I learned a lot just having him in our life for a short time.

As far as sappy goes, it's a good thing I think. Otherwise we probably wouldn't love our pets like we do, and we wouldn't try so hard to learn so much to make thier lives the best. Besides without sappy people we would still be wearing chams as decorations on our sweaters!!