Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello.
This is my first post, although I have been a lurker for some time. I have a sub adult (exact age unsure) male veiled that is exhibiting stressful colors, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I have had him since Christmas Eve (gift to myself), and for the first few weeks, he seemed fine. He has shed one time since I have had him. He does not look dehydrated - his feces looks normal, and his eyes are not sunk in, but I have yet to see him drink. I put him in the shower one time, and had the shower mist spray the plant that he was on, but he got so mad, I kind of thought doing that to him was causing more stress than just leaving him was causing.

He is housed in a 4x2x2 screen cage with live ficus, pothos, and ivy. There are branches throughout the enclosure for basking, and walking around. He gets a manual drip twice per day, into alternating plants. The basking temps range between 82 and 97 degrees, and the temps in the lower portion of the cage go as low as 72 degrees. He has an all in one bulb - 100W Powersun UV for heat and UVB. He is fed once per day, usually 8-10 medium crickets dusted with Indoor Miner-All. Every third day he is given a different insect - roaches, wax worms, or superworms. All insects are gut loaded with alternating organic greens (Kale, Beets, Carrots). He is fed differet ways each day - one day his crickets will be in a cup, one day they will be on the screen, and one day they will roam free, so he can hunt. He is taken outside and put in a patio tree that is half in the sun, half in the shade a few times per week, for about 2 hours. When he is in the patio tree, the hose sprays a light mist to try to get him to drink.

So - please tell me what I am doing wrong? I have had Jackson's and Veileds before, but it has been about 8 years, so I am afraid I am missing an important component in his care. Please help!
Thanks for your time.
Donna

Donna,

I don't see anything major wrong with your husbandry at first. When you say stressed, is it just his color or his behavior also? Do you have a photo? He may be feeling his teenage hormones if he's around 6 to 8 months old. That is also when his adult coloration is getting defined. You may have already thought of this, but can he see his reflection anywhere around the cage? Can he see other animals?

It is possible that moving him outdoors often is keeping him unsure where his territory actually is.

Sounds good to me too..I'm not a fan of the all in one bulbs though..Also,I'd probably keep the dripper in one spot instead of switching it up..I feel chameleons are best when they have designated drinking spot/method..Mine drinks only from a spray bottle for me..He'll see the spray bottle and stick his tongue out and try to touch the nozzle..Try to be there when he does drink just to be sure..He may also still be getting adjusted to you..It can take a little while for this..I handeled mine once or twice a day when he was younger and I think that could be the cause of how friendly he is..He doesn't sound sick..Let us know what happens..
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Jonny Blaze
1.0 Nosy Be Panther--Diego
1.0 Bearded Dragon--Vinny
0.1 Yorkshire terrier Brandy R.I.P February 14,2009 ,13 years old
1.0 Golden lab-Dusty R.I.P May 16,2007,14.5 years old
1.0 Black lab "wiggler",2 years old
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