my veiled chameleon henry is 6 months old. He was being handled 3 times a week for cage cleaning and he had a linear uvb bulb and a basking lamp on top of his cage, he is fed about 12 to 18 medium crickets a day, sometimes a little less.problem- he used to hold the beautiful emerald green color all day even when he was sleeping but now during the day he is a browny dark color and has dark lines all over him,, he doesn't seemed stressed until I go to handle him which I understand some don't like to be handled but as of he used to not mind it and now he will flare up and try to attack me, which is quite impressive but scary. He also went from staying in his vines and tree to now hanging from the roof upside down,and also tries to poke his head through the cage top and . Hrs hangs up there all day and now sleep on the roof of his cage, I'm worried about him so any help would be greatly appreciated
behaviour changes? Need some answers to soothe my worries.
- Thread starter Daley17
- Start date
D
DavidBuchan
Guest
How big is his cage? At that age they will usually go through a phase of being more aggressive and territorial, usually will be a darker colour most of the time as well. Hanging upside down is something they normally do more when younger though, so I'm wondering if he would just like a bit more space now he's growing up............
Lancecham
New Member
It is possible the UV bulb isn't quite as strong as it was brand new. How old is the bulb?
See if the new bulb makes a difference.
Another possible reason for him staying at the top of the cage is that since it is a large cage and it is winter time, the ambient temp in the cage may be a few degrees cooler than it was a few months ago.
See if the new bulb makes a difference.
Another possible reason for him staying at the top of the cage is that since it is a large cage and it is winter time, the ambient temp in the cage may be a few degrees cooler than it was a few months ago.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
The suggestions from others are good. It's also possible that he's feeling a little restless, just because he's reaching maturity and would start looking for girls and patrol a territory. Could you let him free rangr a little every now and then? You'd be surrised how much it chills them out to roam outside the cage for 20 minutes and stretch their legs. I have fake trees around the apartment for this reason, and mine have large cages. But it's something different and inyeresting for them to do. Just a thought!
faye
New Member
if in dout get him checked out... i have had my male vailed for about 5 yrs, I have found darker colour can meen stressed or not warm enough. they can be rather active so the dancing on the ceiling i wouldnt be too concerned about, could it be he needs a bigger home though. I have had to take my Houdini to the vets so many times because of different problems, he's a brilliant vet who knows his stuff infact i am hoping to visit tomorrow due to houdinis health at the moe, not good!! i used to really jump when houdini hissed and lunged at me, i have got used to him now, though it did take a long time. i used to handle him quite a lot, now i dont unless i have to, like giving meds or something, i learnt that they are a creature to admire rather than to handle lots... good luck with it all, Faye and Houdini
