Cham not eating.. PLZ HELP

[kianna2118]

I have noticed that my chameleon hasn’t been eating good lately. We have been seeing a decrease in his eating habits for over two weeks now. He is only eating one cricket, every other three days. I also give him worms such as; super worms, and mealworms, but he is never interested in them. Any ideas of what might be wrong with him?. He is a graceful male chameleon around 9 months.

I have also noticed recently that he has been rubbing his private part area on us. I don’t know if this could be interfering with his eating habits or not. But, any ideas would be helpful. He has never breed with another female, and he is now at the age where he can breed. Does anyone think that this may be causing him to not eat?

 

[ken2414]

do you have him near any other cages with reptiles in them eg chameleons

 

[kianna2118]

No i do not have him near any other cages..

 

[Lancecham]

fill out the "how to ask for help" form, then we can begin to help.

 

[panthercrazy]

What are you gutloading crickets/worms with? You should offer more variety such as silkworms, hornworms, butterworms & wax as treats. Mealworms are not worth feeding.

What type of UVB bulb do you have on his cage? When was this purchased?

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

The form Lancecham was referring to.

 

[kianna2118]

Cage Info:
• Cage Type – screen mesh cage all 4 sides, 16” X 36”?
• Lighting - Basking light 75W exo terra, and UVB bulb, (not tube) All bulbs on for 12- 14 hours a day. These bulb were purchase about a month ago
• Temperature - How do you measure these temps? Basking temp 90, cage temp 75- 85. Night temps 65, I use a fluckers temp and humidity digital gauge.
• Humidity – 55%, I mist cage 3 times a day.
• Plants –Live Ficus tree in middle of cage, some fake foliage, and a couple of bendable jungle vines, with no substrate.
• Placement – Dresser, not near vent. Traffic volume low to high. Im always in the room with him. But, I don’t have people walking in and out of my room.
• Location – Im located in California.

Chameleon Info:
• Your Chameleon - Graceful, MALE, 9 months. In my care for over three months
• Handling – Frequently, daily basis.
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Right now onlt when he eats one cricket every three days. I give him worms too. I gut lon with oats and carrots, total bites. Ect.
• Supplements - I use zoomed Calcium with D3 once a week and zoomed repti-vitamins without D3 once a week.
• Watering - Do you see your chameleon drinking? Misting and dropper system a couple time out of the day.
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Never been tested for parasites, his fecal matter is solid brown with white/yellow in urate.
• History – He is still currently very active. Always on the go and has a strong grip and can climb anything he can reach.
• Current Problem – Not eating on a regular basis.

 

[SliK JiM]

When you say UVB bulb, do you mean compact bulb? If so, either ditch it and get a tube, or make sure it is suspended at least 8" above the top of your mesh (as these things kick out a nasty amount of UV at close proximity) for now until you check the make and model and see what sort of UV it throws out by checking on www.uvguide.co.uk

If his urate is yellow, then he needs more water. Try misting for longer sessions to really give him a good soaking and just leave the dripper going all day if possible.

I don't know much about the heat requirements of gracefuls, but make sure it gets cold enough at night otherwise they won't be able to digest food properly (your temps may be spot on but I have no clue in that area), so this may be a reason for him to not be eating as much.

It's not uncommon for chams to refuse food for a while. Try not offering any for a day, maybe 2 and see how he reacts when you offer it again. Also, try things with wings if possible. Flies, moths, butterflies etc really stimulate a cham to eat.

And the rubbing his private bits all over the place is common for a sexually mature chameleon.

 

[panthercrazy]

Cage Info:

Lighting - Basking light 75W exo terra, and UVB bulb, (not tube) All bulbs on for 12- 14 hours a day. These bulb were purchase about a month ago

As mentioned already remove compact bulb this will cause issues with eyes quickly - check out link already provided.

Handling – Frequently, daily basis.

You should reduce the handling - chams really don't appreciate it at the best of times.

Supplements - I use zoomed Calcium with D3 once a week and zoomed repti-vitamins without D3 once a week.

You need to add in Calcium without D3 Great information here https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html EDIT: Should use Calcium w/ D3, Calcium wo D3, and a Multi-Vitamin

 

[dondeb562]

As far as I understand about gracefuls is they require very high humidity and lower temps. A 90 watt bulb would be WAY too hot for him. You will probably only need a 40-50 watt for him. Humidity should be around 90% for them as far as I have ever read about them. The husbandry you are giving is off which may explain slow declining health.....

 

[dondeb562]

Also, most gracefuls are wc. You may want a fecal done to see if there are any parasites. odds are he has them if he is indeed wc and that can cause decline in health and feeding.