veiled chameleons

Question
QUESTION: Hi again...
Ok, I am using a '15W, 45cm Repti Glo 5.0 Tropical Terrarium Lamp (by 'Exo-Terra', if it helps)'. And yes the Basking light is bright white, is that fine? Then regarding the eating factor, I feed her 3 times a day at the moment, I have a feeding bucket which I hang up on the tree with atleast 5 crickets per feeding session, (and I do gutload them, and sprinkle them with Calcium Supplements at the moment) and then I remove the bucket after approx. 15 - 20 minutes??? But the crickets aren't exactly pinheads all of them, some are quite a bit bigger. Then just a follow up on the handling, what is the best way to take her out of her enclosure, must I wait for her to climb on my hand and I should'nt try to pick her up or can I?? And sometimes she opens her mouth vigerously for no reason (when my hand ain't even near her cage), can that just be to cool herself off?
Thank you very much
Corneil

ANSWER: Hello Corneil,

Ok, great, that UVB light by Exo terra Reptiglo 5 should be fine.  Remember however, that after 5 months or so it will need to be replaced as the UVB does decay after several months of use.  I recommend either the Reptisun 5 or the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.   Yes, that is perfect, a bright white basking light is great.  Make sure that it is placed directly beside the UVB light, ok?
That sounds good, yes, after 15-20 minutes, to remove the feeding bucket.  Great, that way no stray crickets get in her tank.  
If you patiently wait, if you put your hand in the enclosure, she will get used to that & eventually crawl onto your hand from her branch.
Opening her mouth off & on is most likely thermoregulation yes.  They normally are not real aggressive so you shouldn't have anything to worry about as to her biting you.  That is how they cool off, yes.
Very good that you are gutloading the crickets, that is important.  

Let me know how she is doing.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi
Ok, it's great news to hear that I'm doing alright. Yes I know to replace the uv-light after 5-6months. The basking light is right beside the uv light yes, but I read someone saying it is better to use a standard tube-bulb rather than another normal roud-bulb as a basking light. Just like to know what you're opinion is on that, because that way I can run both the UV-light and the basking-light the full length of the enclosure? I've measured the temp. again just to double check and they vary from around 20C(celcius) at the bottom to around 32-34C(celcius) on the top end, at the basking spot, I'm quite sure they are measured correctly. Thats fine?? Oh, and I'm trying to make her used to me, she is been eating crickets from my hand a few times.
Thank you
Corneil

ANSWER: Hello Corneil,
Well, good you have the basking light right by the UVB light.  There is not a long tube bulb that warms up enough that you could run the length of the tank.  The regular household lightbulb is fine, or you can use a halogen light.  
Yes, that is fine, your temp variation is good.  The basking area is good & as long as the ambient temps don't exceed 82-85 she will have enough temperature gradients to thermoregulate if needed.
GREAT she is eating crickets from your hands.

I hope that she keeps on improving for you.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi
thank you again for all your help, I really used it and I think everything is going extremely well with her. Just two more questions:
1. Just for the future, what is the signs I can look out for when she is ready to lay eggs, and I can get her a proper laying area and all that?
2. What do you recommend on doing when I will go away, how long can she go without food, or must I try to take her to a petshop or something??
Thanks again, appreciate it
Corneil
p.s she climbed on my hand for the first time today, to come and fetch a cricket... (laughs)

Answer
Hello Corneil,

Great that she is starting to do so well now & even climbing on your hadn for a cricket, awesome.
Hm, as far as going without food, that can vary.  I would try to leave a dish in her tank that would at least give her a couple of meals if you are going to be gone for a couple of days.  If you are going to be gone longer than a couple of days, it would be best to get someone to come in to care for her like a friend or something or if you trust the petstore take her there while you are gone.
She should act a little restless or listless as if she is looking for a place to lay.  This should not happen for awhile though, but you should recognize that type of behavior.  She should act like she is looking for a proper nesting area.

Great job. :-))
Tracie