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 #2056933


Geckoman33
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 My Fishers Chameleon

I recently adopted a fishers chameleon that was in dire need of a caring owner. I have an anole and 2 leopard geckos, but haven’t had anything nearly as unique as a chameleon. I was surprised when my friend wanted to get rid of it and i quickly read as much info as i could about chameleon specifics. I have him in a 24x24x36 screened cage with 5 live plants, some wood trees to climb, and a vine. Im using a UVB fluorescent 5.0 bulb and a 60w daylight bulb and i mist the cage daily with a spray bottle. I just wanted to share my chameleon with everyone and if anyone has advice, suggestions, or any questions please shoot away! Happy Herping!





08/14/09  03:24pm

 #2057181


PartyPhil4
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   Message To: Geckoman33   In reference to Message Id: 2056933


 My Fishers Chameleon

wow that is an amazing colored chameleon!
08/14/09  09:10pm

 #2058290


The_Snake_Man
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   Message To: Geckoman33   In reference to Message Id: 2056933


 My Fishers Chameleon

Thats cage looks amazing, same with your chameleon.

Jesse
08/16/09  06:10pm

 #2058556


Jonas77
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   Message To: The_Snake_Man   In reference to Message Id: 2058290


 My Fishers Chameleon

The cage does not look amazing for a chameleon yet, but it could with a little work. It is way too empty, half its volume is just dead volume that the animal cant use. Get some more branches/vines in there so that every part of the volume can be used. Then cover this up with much more plants. You should not be able to see through the cage when it is done.

I would also recomment to add more light. Get some daylight tubes or some low-energy "tube-bulbs" with a good colour temperature. Chameleons need ligth, not just UVb and heat.
08/17/09  03:33am

 #2058670


Rexxaroo
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   Message To: Jonas77   In reference to Message Id: 2058556


 My Fishers Chameleon

the cage looks just fine but could use one or two more vines and i think your using the wrong type of UVB light. It should be a Tube not a swirly compact ok? other than that looks great!!! :D :D :D :D


Rexx



08/17/09  10:08am

 #2058680


LunaC
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   Message To: Geckoman33   In reference to Message Id: 2056933


 My Fishers Chameleon

He’s a very pretty, healthy looking Fischer’s! I have to agree with Jonas - you have enough climbing vines/branches but you could definitely use more foliage for cover, maintaining humidity and water droplets, and for a cham’s natural need for privacy.

I also agree with losing what looks like a compact tube light and replace with a linear tube. Much more effective for dispersing UVB across the length of the cage and could save some possible eye problems associated with compact bulbs.

Make sure you mist heavily - think rain, not just mist - several times a day and make sure your temps are within the range required of the montane species.

Thanks for sharing!



08/17/09  10:20am

 #2058888


Jonas77
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   Message To: LunaC   In reference to Message Id: 2058680


 My Fishers Chameleon

I just want to disarm the whole "never use compact UV-bulbs"-thing here.
I assume the origin of this hysteria is this report:
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

I think most companies have addressed this problem, and the major problem has been the burn-in time of these lights.

I have almost exclusively used these types of UV-lights over a large number of years, and successfully so if I may say so myself.
I did have problems with one of these lights, just at the beginning of this report. As long as one are aware of this unlikely problem these lights are very useful.

Experiments have showed that chameleons (not all species have been tested, but one can assume many of the species have this trait) can "UV-sunbathe", they can sense what is UV and actively bask under the light unrelated to temperature-based basking. This eliminates the fear of not getting enough UV if the light only covers the cage locally.

I also want to readdress the light-comment I made; I cant see any other source of light. Normal daylight is very important as it will activate hormones in the animal, making it more active, increasing appetite and giving an over all healthier animal. This goes for all diurnal animals.

Oh, and loose the wunderbaum...
08/17/09  03:24pm

 #2059089


LunaC
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   Message To: Geckoman33   In reference to Message Id: 2056933


 My Fishers Chameleon

By "Wunderbaum", Jonas means Castor Oil Plant.
I do see the plant he’s talking about. They are highly toxic, so if it is a Castor Oil, absolutely lose it!



08/17/09  07:22pm

 #2059427


Jonas77
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   Message To: LunaC   In reference to Message Id: 2059089


 My Fishers Chameleon

Luna, sometimes you are too smart for your own good I think, In a good way!
There might be some kind of plant there that I dont know (dont see Ricinus though), but I was actually referring to the actual wunderbaum. See?

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...
08/18/09  10:02am

 #2060179


LunaC
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   Message To: Jonas77   In reference to Message Id: 2059427


 My Fishers Chameleon

Quote:

Luna, sometimes you are too smart for your own good I think, In a good way!
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...



No, Jonas, sometimes I’m just a moron!

I do see the "cigar" ... now.



08/19/09  09:53am


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