behaviour question

[MoyaChan]

Why do chams do the thing when they like push the skin that's under their chin forward with their tongue, and sometimes even open their mouth?
Or am I the only one experiencing this?
My cham doesn't change colors while doing this and it's definitely not aimed at me (she can't even see me right now). I'm guessing that this has something to do with the shedding but I'm not sure... Any ideas?

 

[Damicofam6]

i think its a way they stretch their tongue.. im not sure though my panther does it too

 

[MoyaChan]

i think its a way they stretch their tongue.. im not sure though my panther does it too

At least I'm not the only one, thanks for the reply

 

[alphakenc]

Maybe it feel thirsty or reposition its long tongue...."Now let me clear my throat"

 

[MoyaChan]

Maybe it feel thirsty or reposition its long tongue...."Now let me clear my throat"

I just gave him water in case that was the problem. Thanks

 

[alphakenc]

No worries, I was just singing that hip hop song that all , great job

 

[Trace]

I don’t think chameleons have to stretch their tongues.

The skin under their chin is called the gular area. The line of scales in the middle of the chin is called the gular crest. When this expands, they are not actually using their tongue but muscles that are attached to something called the hyolingual apparatus.

That clarification out of the way, if this random open mouth was accompanied by a twist of the body and/or a shudder/spasm then it’s nothing to worry about. I'm not sure if there is a technical term for it but I call it the morning stretch; they seem do it shortly after waking and warming up. I don't know if there is a physiological reason for it but it's something chameleons do.

Sometimes they will stretch their gular area to stretch or break the skin when they are shedding.

 

[alphakenc]

@MoyaChan,Ha we both learning something here,I feel bad to give u some wrong opinion....at least there is always someone like a Harry Potter to lead us in the right direction especially that magic wand

 

[jajeanpierre]

I don’t think chameleons have to stretch their tongues.

The skin under their chin is called the gular area. The line of scales in the middle of the chin is called the gular crest. When this expands, they are not actually using their tongue but muscles that are attached to something called the hyolingual apparatus.

That clarification out of the way, if this random open mouth was accompanied by a twist of the body and/or a shudder/spasm then it’s nothing to worry about. I'm not sure if there is a technical term for it but I call it the morning stretch; they seem do it shortly after waking and warming up. I don't know if there is a physiological reason for it but it's something chameleons do.

Sometimes they will stretch their gular area to stretch or break the skin when they are shedding.

Watching my chameleons expand their throat area, I have always gotten the impression that sometimes they need to sort out their tongue and all the bones, muscles and ligaments that are attached to it.

On a funny note, one of my little babies was very excited when I put crickets in for the first time the other day. He's just an itty bitty little thing, maybe 2 grams. He misjudged the reach of his tongue. He shot it out a good four or five inches--it seemed like even longer--and missed the cricket. His tongue fell, swinging in the air suspended by the bone inside his tongue. It took him a bit to pull it back in. I hope he didn't hurt it and can still eat, but I'll tell you, it was the funniest, most pathetic thing I've seen with my babies.

 

[MoyaChan]

Thanks @Trace for the scientific part I'm always really interested in those (no kidding, I'm learning to be a biologist)!

I've seen her doing this a few times, it just never occurred to me to ask what it was.
Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[alphakenc]

Im sure,she is very happy now