Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I stopped hand feeding after Dot refused to eat from my hand so I only handle her about 2 days a week. My setup is fine, I discussed with a Vet (who owns a Veiled himself) and he said it was perfect. Dot seems to be spending more and more time on the bottom of the cage. I'm really not quite sure what it is, she doesnt rest there she just paces it. The temperatures are 80-84 ambient with basking 93 and she has basking branch and plenty of foilage to hide and climb. I think she is learning to go to the bottom of the cage to pickup the pinheads that arn't big enough to climb up from the sides of the cage because she eats like a HOG. Also, Dot has learned to drink still water, put a bowl of water one day just to see if she would get it, and I found her later that day sipping from it =P. But she is still getting more and more stressed at my appearance. I only go in my room to feed/mist/sleep so traffic is low. But when I do approach she scurries across the cage. She never use to do this. Again it is not the setup (I wish I could post a picture but I cannot (long story)).

I would cover the cage with a towel for now. Give her some time to chill out. I only go into my chams room 2 times a day. They have their own room. And when I do its only to turn on and off the daylight and to feed and change water in the dripper. I let the mister take care of the misting. When I am in there, I talk softly to them and they both seem to "listen" to me. I never approach them fast or make sudden movements around them. When I need to move them, I let them come to me. Stitch has no problem crawling up my arm and likes to hang out on my head. Chloe will crawl on my hand, but won't try to go any farther, and I respect that she does not like to be handled and will make a b-line for their lounge plants when I put her close enough. Also, most reptiles only pace the bottom of the cage when they are too hot or dehydrated. I would try lowering your temps just a little bit and covering her with a dark towel. Try to stay out of sight for a few days and see what that does for her. Maybe she was a human in her past life and you remind her of an ex-boyfriend!
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Feenie

1.1 vieled cham.- Stitch and Chloe
2.2 Canines Junior-pitbull chiuahuah mix, Jose- chiuahuah, Pearl- Staffie, and Daisy- Red nose Pit- foster child
1.0 boyfriend- Trent species unknown

I would try a bigger size cricket also, by the looks of the pic she is old enough for at least 1/4 crickets, maybe bigger.

lower your temps, and stop handling her. some of them really dont tolerate handling at all. pacing the bottom of the cage with dark colors is indicative of stress, especially heat stress, since she is going as far away from the heat source as possible. Running away from you proves that she is terrified of you, and you should not handle her if she is terrified, it is not fair for little animals, especially fragile ones like baby chameleons, to be terrified and handled when they REALLY dont want to be bothered. good luck..
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- Happy herping!

KE

Here are my thoughts (again):

I don't doubt your vet says it is fine but it would still be helpful for us to know the basics. If you ask a question later we can revisit a post that has the particulars of your setup Again, how big is the cage? When Luna began pacing and climbing all over her cage it was b/c it was too small. Once I got her into her 2x2x4 she was quite content.

I think this was said - at 4 months old she should be eating feeders larger than pinheads. She eats like a HOG b/c she is HUNGRY and growing (btw, keep those calcium supplements going, this is a crucial time if you want to avoid problems later - but at the same time don;t over do it). I got Luna at 4 months and she was eating 3-4 week old crix right away, and 1" lobster roaches with no problem. Dot may be searching for more food. How much are you feeding? Is she cup feeding at all or only free range? If free range are you placing food in there for any loose crix at night so Dot does not become a meal?

That's great that she may be drinking out of a bowl but do not rely on that solely. Keep a dripper on hand and be sure to mist - are you misting? What is the humidity?

Since you never replied to some previous posts where you were asking for help her ar tow of the replies (I made it easy for you so you can link directly to them:
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=669102,669112
forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=673871,674188

as for her scurrying away when she sees you...well, I think that speaks for itself. The fact that she did not do it before could be for a few reasons - you now scare the sh*t out of her. Her personality will most likely change some, especially in the next few months as she nears sexual maturity. You need to be open to that and accept her as she is. And once again - give her some space.

lele
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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)