Daily/every two days:
- Feeding- Gut-loaded and Supplement-dusted feeders. (see Feeding Your Chameleon and Supplements and Nutrition)
- Body and behavior visual assessment- Observe your chameleon for any change in behavior, discoloration, or deformities. (see Chameleon Health for signs of distress)
- Check and refill water levels in mister, fogger and dripper- Refill frequency will depend on usage and reservoir capacity. (see Hydration)
- Gut-load- Replace old gut-load vegetables and/or commercial gut-load, refill/replace hydration medium. (see Feeder Care and Gut-loading)
- Spot clean poop- Check color and composition of feces and urates for signs of dehydration. Clean waste from plants and enclosure floor. (see Chameleon Health for signs of dehydration)
- Natural sunlight (Recommended when weather permits)- 1-2 hours or more of natural sunlight a few days per week near an open window, outside in a heavily planted outdoor enclosure, or in a shaded tall plant will have considerable benefits to your chameleons health. Be sure to provide ample shade to prevent heat stress. (see Chameleon Health for signs of heat stress)
Weekly:
- Check moisture in soil- Water plants when the top 1-2 inches of the soil has dried. Water until excess drains through planter. (see Plant Care Guide)
- Thorough inspection/Weighing- Weighing the chameleon is an optional exercise that helps keepers to track growth. A thorough inspection of your chameleon is important to unsure they haven’t been “showing you their good side” to hide any problems. (see Chameleon Health for a list of signs and symptoms to look for)
- Empty drainage - The frequency of a this task will vary depending on your reservoir setup and hydration methods. To minimize excess water, use the recommended fog drinking through 100% humidity nights, with a short misting after lights out and before lights on. (see Hydration)
Every two weeks:
· Double check temperature and humidity- As seasons change, your home’s temperature and humidity may fluctuate, which will affect your chameleons enclosure. (see Care Sheets menu for your chameleons specific temperature and humidity requirements)
· Clean feeder container- Fecal matter will accumulate to become a pungent bacteria pile if not periodically cleaned. This task may need to be more frequent depending upon the size of your container and the number of feeders in it. (see Feeder Care)
Every Month:
- Clean fogger and mister parts and water reservoirs- These can start developing mildew in a relatively short amount of time (shorter in warm/humid climates). Bacteria may become vaporized and inhaled if not cleaned regularly. (see Chameleon Health for signs of respiratory infection)
- Clean cage- This task will not be extensive if regular fecal spot cleaning has been maintained. Check vines, walls, branches, floor and plants. A 50% dilution of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar will help clean any bug or fecal residue.
- Fertilizers- Your plants will need fertilizing after 3 months of being planted in new soil and will continue to need refreshing (except during winter). Mycorrhizae can be added when planting and replenished with fertilizer, a 50% diluted solution is recommended for both. This is also a good time to check the plants for any pests and remove damaged, dead or old leaves. (see Plant Care and Plant Care Products for more information and fertilizer options)
Every 6 to 12 Months:
- UVB- Check your UVI with a 6.5 solar-meter to see if your bulb is emitting the correct UVB levels. If you do not have a UV meter check your Enclosure Checklist for the date you will need to replace your bulb (5.0 and 10.0 Reptisun bulbs will need to be replaced at 6 months/ 6% and 12% Arcadia bulbs will need to be replaced at 12 months.
- Plant root ball pruning or replanting- Plants may need to be checked if they are root bound. Large plants can be kept to size by trimming the edges of the roots (and pruning leaves) and replanted into the same pot with new soil. Smaller plants will need to be replanted into larger pots with new soil for optimal growth. (see Plant Care)