Hi,

I was wondering if anybody else here has any experience of keeping a Yemen Chameleon, as I have recently taken over the care of an approx 9 month male who hasn't been given the best start in life as he was being cared for by a soldier who didn't have the time to devote to him due to being away on long exercises.

I have been searching through the internet for advice but there are so many sites and so much different and conflicting information!

When I got him he was malnourished and calcium deficient, I took him to a local reptile shop, and the owner recommended to feed him on waxworms to build him up, he averages approximately 4-5 worms a day sometimes he even manages 7. Hes also taking small locusts.

He has a large vivarium with a waterfall, rock wall, silk foliage, a weeping fig plant and wandering jew plant, a heat mat, a UVA/UVB bulb and a heat bulb plus branches and a rope to climb on and he is regularly misted to maintain humidity. I am using Calci-Sand as a substrate as it was recommended to me by a lady who we got our second chameleon from.

He also has a very friendly persona, he likes to be handled and will take food from your hand.

He is breaking the bones in his arms regularly as where he was neglected he is very clumsy and brittle, so today we had a trip to the Vets who wrapped his arm in micropore tape to give it some support. While we were there, she said that they should only be fed live insects 5 times a week. I am getting so much conflicting advice. Could anyone clarify the following for me please, as I also have an approx 6 week old baby male too:

1) How much should they be fed and how often? For both the older one and the baby

2) What is the best substrate to use in the vivs?

3) How often should they be handled?

4) What signs should I look out for when he's ready to shed his skin?

5) What is the best thing to "gut-load" feeder insects on?

6) What vegetation is he likely to eat?

7) What is the best thing to clean the Viv with?

8) What calcium and vitamin supplement should I use? (At the moment I am using Ebi-Vet which has Vit A, D3, E, copper sulphate and calcium in)

If you think I have missed anything please tell me, I am so desperate to make sure that both of these chameleons have the best lives I can provide for them especially as the older one has had a bad start

Your help is much appreciated, I thank you in advance

OK now this may not seem logical to you but join this website
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Click on my controls on the top right side of the page, you will get a column on the left one of these says edit profile, when you have filled out the information i.e. name, area, age etc go to the beginners section and make a post telling us you have filled out your profile... use the same username as you have on here so I know who you are ;)

We have a member on site called chris newman who is a reptile specialist (and I mean specialist) fights for the reptile world every step of the way for the animal welfare bills etc etc and works with all the higher people...
Once your profile is filled in and we have upgraded you you can use the pm facility, you can use this to contact chris with and ask any questions you can , I am sure he can provide you with all the information you need and also give you contacts with other people who can help you with the info...
I wish you the best of luck and I'm sure if you do contact chris you will get some sound advice ;)

Here is a bit of info to tell you a little about who he works and has worked for http://www.petstreet.co.uk/owner_profile.aspx?ID=626
But you can contact him via our website, he is the editor of the reptilian magazine and also chairman federation for herpitologists (reptiles)
Katie

1) How much should they be fed and how often? For both the older one and the baby

Babies need to be fed as much as they can eat. Lots of baby crickets. Most will eat at least 10 per day. The adults should be fed about 15-20 crickets per week, however you want to spread it out. You can substitute super worms every so often for variety.

2) What is the best substrate to use in the vivs?

You don't really need anything since they are not usually ever on the bottom.

3) How often should they be handled?

Females never. If you are planning to handle a VC, make sure you get an mae at about 8 weeks of age, and then handle them twice a day until they are used to it. Don't EVER pick them up. They must walk onto your hand.

4) What signs should I look out for when he's ready to shed his skin?

Who cares when they shed?

5) What is the best thing to "gut-load" feeder insects on?

If you are keeping crickets, you can give them raw carrots, but don't put water in as they will drown themselves. They can get lots of moisture from the carrots.

6) What vegetation is he likely to eat?

They must have Pothos plants available at all times. They will crawl up nad down the vines, and eat the leaves.

7) What is the best thing to clean the Viv with?

You don't clean them. You can mist them if you like.

8) What calcium and vitamin supplement should I use? (At the moment I am using Ebi-Vet which has Vit A, D3, E, copper sulphate and calcium in)

Doesn't matter which.

If you think I have missed anything please tell me, I am so desperate to make sure that both of these chameleons have the best lives I can provide for them especially as the older one has had a bad start

Make sure you have running water at all times (fountain). Put heat lamp, UV lamp, and water pump on timers.