Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

Hi all,

I recently acquired 2 baby nose be panther chameleons. They are house in an upright glass tank with mesh front, on a live plant (a safe one!). Plenty of foliage.

Now, I have seen one of the chameleons eat a cricket since they arrived (about a week ago), but that's it. I am at work during the day so i cant keep a permanent eye on them, but its very concerning.

I bought some phoenix worms from pollywog at the essex shop at the weekend to try and i THINK they are eating them, but they dont eat when i'm watching!

I was going to buy some small silkworms too. Just need food that I know cant get away, so if its gone, it must have been eaten!

Any ideas? I really love these little guys and want to make damn sure they have everything they need!

Also, they spend most of their time chilling with their eyes closed, just going for a wander every so often, is this normal?

I mean I know they like to chill, but with their eyes closed?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thank You

Gary

kroakykaren · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject:

I am no expert i am sure Rick will be along soon to help. I don't think they should be sitting with eyes closed, and babies normally eat for England in my experience. I don't think a glass tank is an ideal setup does it have a mesh roof as well as a mesh door? Are yr temps ok as that can affect feeding also are they together, that too could be stressing them out. As i said i am no expert but sitting with eyes closed doesn't seem right to me they should be bright and alert. Babies usually need a cooler more humid environment than adults and should be fed 2 or 3 times a day, as i said i am sure Rick will answer your ?s better than i can as i am no expert.
Karen

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

Thanks for the reply, i am very worried.

I just got home and sprayed tham and they both went for a walk around the plant, so they are ok, just seems strange that they sit there with their eyes closed!

Gary

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the kind words Karen Embarassed

How old are they Gary?
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garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

I BELIEVE the guy said 8 weeks (cant remember, he is on holiday, will check when he returns)

Gary

Rickeezee · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

Still way young then, I would be inclined to check all temps, ensure you have a good uv light, I personally would not use a basking lamp at that age. I use a homebase clamp lamp 3.99 or summit with a 20 watt halogen bulb mounted external to the viv, provides a nice warm basking area but does not overheat the viv, I keep any young chams in a small set up as easier to control heat, light, humidity etc, and feed on fruit flies and small crickets.

I recently aquired a couple of young panthers, the male did the same thing, eyes closed appeared to be sleeping all day, until I changed the viv to a smaller one and reverted back to using the clamp lamp. Good luck!
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

Thanks,

Things have turned worse, one of them is pretty lifeless, have them both booked in to the vet for this afternoon.

Gary

kroakykaren · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:23 am Post subject:

Please let us know how they get on at the vets.
Karen

Rickeezee · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:32 am Post subject:

Good luck!
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

Looks like the little guy hasnt made it (according to mums opinion on the phone). Gonna head home and see.

It really hurts you know, you give them everything they need and this happens. The same happened with a Yemen I had, after about 8 months he just died for no reason.

As much as I love them, I think Chameleons may not be for me.

Thanks guys

Gary