Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the past two days I noticed he doesn't go hunt the crickets in the cage as he did the first few days I got him. I've only had him for one week. I have to literally using a chopstick, move the cricket until its right in front of him, and even still he gets closer.. very close before he shoots its tongue out at it. He use to hunt from afar why is he so unwilling to use its tongue to its potential? I have only been feeding in crickets and I have the proper setup and temps/humidity and have dusted crickets with proper UV lighting.

Also he seems healthy, except for his right eye that closes occasionally, but I'm putting drops in it so its getting better and he uses the 2nd eye during feeding time so its not a factor.

Hi - you have only had this cham for a couple weeks and you have had lots of concerns. I am sure some are simply "new keeper worries" that we all have, but some may not be. I have scanned most of your posts and my head is spinning...your folks won't give you a ride to the vet? OK, well that is one problem that you are going to have to work out with them or a responsible friend who can drive. Believe me, you will not have this cham for years with no vet trips. At the very least, you should do a fecal every 6 months just to rule out any parasites it may have picked up from food.

Ants: have you remedied this problem?

I also don't recall reading your entire setup, just bits and pieces although in one post you said you have everything set up OK. But your very first post had you asking how to set up and that you brought in some branches form outside (which is probably where the ants came from.

So, all that said, I think it would be most helpful to you and to us for you to reply to this with details about your entire set up and care. Be sure to include:

1- Cage type: size and type of cage (screen/glass)
2-Temps: - basking area and lower in cage
3-Lighting: - what output AND manufacturer of UVB lighting and wattage of basking light where are the lights? on top? distance from basking branch, etc.
4-Humidity: do you have a gauge? What are the readings? Do you use a humidifier? Do you live in the north or south (or other)?
5-Water: how often do you mist? dripper? have you seen him drink?
6-Plants/branches: what plants do you have? lots of coverage where he will feel safe? Have you ditched the old branches and bought new or thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the ones you collected? A not about branches form outside. you need ot be careful on the kind of plants. Do you know what they are?
7-Food : what is he eating? Where are you getting them? What are you feeding the feeders? Fresh veggies? Gutload? What type?
8-Supplements what and how often do you dust and with what (brand)?
9-Cham facts: how old is he? Do you know if he is wild caught or captive born? Did you get him at a show? Breeder?
10-Vet do you have one that KNOWS chameleons?

This may seem like a lot but these are the things that should have been setup before you got him, so please answer them all.

There is a great article about the true cost of keeping a chameleon in ChamNews (see link below). Check out their other articles, too. Lot’s of good, up to date info.

OK, hopefully your reply can shed some light on your issues and maybe put some fears to rest. We can help you “tweak” your

lele

(btw, sorry about not getting back toyour email but holidays interfered )
cost of chameleons

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)