Calyptratus Mouth/Chameleons Mouth

[kirekameleon]

I have a Male Calyptratus and he gaped and hissed a little at me. When he did this and left his mouth open I noticed a hole, actually I thought I saw two before his tongue got in the way. I was wondering how the ingestion of food and water works for the chameleon. Does food and water go down the same passage? Is there one hole or two? If your Cham was dehydrated can you put water into his mouth while he is eating? Just curious about how the mouth of the Chameleon works!!!

kire

 

[Kodos2150]

Chameleons a have glottis, that is the hole you see behind the tongue on the bottom of their mouth, it is the opening to the trachea. The tissue around the glottis can open and close like a clam, and it closes when the chameleon is eating or drinking. Their esophagus is at the back of their mouth and thats where all the food and water goes

 

[kinyonga]

Be careful giving the chameleon water when drinking or if using a syringe, etc. that you don't spray it down the throat and end up with it in the lungs. Its best to ease the water in a little at a time.