A slight little problem...

[angus310]

Alright, need some advice or encouraging words. Today, I was cleaning the enclosure (waste daily remove paper towels every other day). I rearranged two vines. Elvis got pretty stressed out and was stuck in one position without moving his eyes for over an hour like he was playing dead. He only moved when the auto mister went off. At that point he went to another spot and played dead. When I went to feed him, he ran to his sleeping/safe spot and has been frozen in that position for hours.

Does this seem at all normal if a cham gets totally spooked I turned off all lights and am staying out of the room for the rest of the night.

 

[westcoastchameleons]

I have never seen this. Keep an eye on him tomorow, and hopefully it will be a fluke. Maybe another member can contribute some info to this if they have experienced it.

Jake

 

[Brad]

Elvis got pretty stressed out and was stuck in one position without moving his eyes for over an hour like he was playing dead. He only moved when the auto mister went off. At that point he went to another spot and played dead. When I went to feed him, he ran to his sleeping/safe spot and has been frozen in that position for hours.

Are you saying that he is staring in one direction for long periods of time? How long have you observed this behavior? I have heard of similar behavior that did turn out to be a problem.

 

[angus310]

He is just seemingly stuck in place. once in a while sways like a leaf. Literally, just happened today since I rearranged some of the stuff in his cage. He won't look around (or at least I haven't caught him). Who knows what happens when I leave the room but when I come back he is in the same spot. His eyes will move once in a while just not him.

He has been really healthy with a great appetite, ideal waste matter, perfect reactions but since this morning and not before he is totally frozen. Like I said, once in a while, he will sway. I

 

[EricandCandace]

Sounds like he is displaying a defensive posture.. Is there anything in the room he could percieve as a predator? ... Keep in mind the Chameleons natural predators.. Veiled chameleons are slow moving . Survival in the wild depends on their ability to conceal themselves from predators. They flatten their bodies to look more like a leaf in appearance. When the chameleon moves they will rock their bodies from side to side and this gives the appearance of a leaf swaying .

Questions
#1 Is there anyway he could possibly be seeing a reflection?
#2 Is there anything in the room higher than him that he could see as a predator? ...

Keep in mind I am a Newb and I am only using my best guess here... I hope this situation figures itself out for you...Please keep us updated...

 

[angus310]

I had put a pretty substantial new piece of large driftwood that I had set up among the vines. I removed that and he seems to have livened up. Still cautious but back to hunting for his food.