Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I just got my new baby veiled and im extremely happy . Hes about 6 inchs snout to tip of tail and is said to be about 7 weeks old. Hes very healthy looking and has no visable injuries or anything that i've read to watch out for. I have a 160 watt powersun and the basking spot stays about 97-101. I misted him with warm water once (Which he didnt particulary like)so far. I did try and put 2 small crickets in for him but i wasnt suprized to see he wasnt interested. How long do most people find it takes for a new cham to be comfortable enough to eat after puting a new cham in. Right now hes in a 22 gallon reptarium with climbing branches and bendable vines. I plan to put a Pothos in once i get the chance. Hes the most interesting reptile i've had so far and have been jumpy since i got him If you have any tips on making sure he settles in to his new home ok please feel free.

PS: I will try and get some pictures on him asap but dont want to stress him out as hes still very new. Any tips would be apreicated.

I really dont have any tips for you, (im sure other more experienced people might though) But I just wanted to wish you good luck with your new baby!

A little red flag went up when you said 160 Watt bulb.... Ouch.... In a 22 gallon Reptarium, you could probably get away with a 40-60 Watt bulb, placed directly on the screen top. I think I have recently seen a lower wattage Mercury Vapor bulb, if you're trying to aviod using a florescent. Also, 6 inches seems pretty big for a 7 week old veiled... Not that it's bad, he's probably just older than that by a bit. From your post, it sounded like you don't have a plant or leaves in there with him, which is key to getting him settled in. They need to be able to hide to settle in. It can take a few days before he'll eat, but if he can't hide, it can take longer. They also need the leaves to drink water from and to give the mist a surface to gather on. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you asked. Good luck with your little guy.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

Well, i also thought the 160 watt would be too powerful so i have in hanging 5 inchs above the cage which is about 10 inchs from the basking spot. I ajusted the height of the bulb so now the temp never gos abobe 100 at the basking spot and on the oposite side of the cage it stays about 79 degrees. So far I have been lucky that he hasnt been trying to climb on the screen. Also, about the 6 inch thing, she had the veiled seperated by age and she said they were 7-10 weeks old so maybe hes 9 or 10 weeks? Today he ate 2 crickets dusted with Rep Cal Calcium and D3 and Herptivite. I am also happy that i saw him drinking

if he is eating AND drinking after so little time without leaves, you have a very nice cham on your hands! I have adult female veiles and I have never seen them drink in the 3 or 4 months I have had them, not once. Be sure you have the right supplementation regiment, for a juvi with that brand of supplement it should be every 2nd feeding for calcium and once a week for the multivitamin. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong on this, i'm not too familiar with that brand.

Thanks for the advice, the basking now stays between 88-90. This Light holder is very handy. Thanks for the complement on my cham chunks he does still seem a little scared of me so i try not too aproach his cage. I bought him from bearded and veiled reptiles at a reptile swap that is twice every month. I see her there every time and her veiled and beardeds are always very large, healthy, and alert. I have wanted one for about 2 months and have been reaserching tons. Im so glad its all happening =)

That basking temp is too high. It should be more around 90. My veiled which is a bit older then yours prefers it to be around 87 since his mouth gapes when its around 90. When misting, use the hottest water you can. By the time it hits the chams skin it will be luke warm - test first though. Dont mist him too close either - have it so the mist falls on him from above or several inches from the side. You may also want to have a misting or drip system available too. I use both.

-roocat71