Chameleon Behavior

[flaminglazer72]

So I've had my male Veiled cham for about a month now. He's my first and I just want to know if I'm doing the right things. I feel like I've stressed him a little too much recently. I've been able to handle him every now and then, but he is sometimes hard to get out of his enclosure. I usually get him out by sliding my hand under the branch he's on and just lift him up from it. He seems like a very cautious of me. When i go to feed him or mist the enclosure he sometimes darkens in color or puffs up a bit. Recently ive moved him into my room, which is a bit warmer than where we had him before. He seems to be healthy and has no problems eating or drinking. What can i do to help him feel more at ease and comfortable?

 

[jpowell86]

TIME! A month with your chameleon is not long enough for him to tolerate you. I use the word tolerate, because this is the first step in the process. Eventually he will understand that your hand equals food and water, so he will not be as defensive and show these displays of aggression and fear. Keep in mind that every chameleon has their own personality. It may be that this particular chameleon may never want to be in contact with you....it happens. Even my chameleons that tolerate handling don't get handled much. So, give him space and time...and hopefully he will come around.

 

[flaminglazer72]

TIME! A month with your chameleon is not long enough for him to tolerate you. I use the word tolerate, because this is the first step in the process. Eventually he will understand that your hand equals food and water, so he will not be as defensive and show these displays of aggression and fear. Keep in mind that every chameleon has their own personality. It may be that this particular chameleon may never want to be in contact with you....it happens. Even my chameleons that tolerate handling don't get handled much. So, give him space and time...and hopefully he will come around.

Thanks! Also he seems to like to hang upside down on the ceiling of the enclosure. Is this normal for juveniles to do?

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Thanks! Also he seems to like to hang upside down on the ceiling of the enclosure. Is this normal for juveniles to do?

It's normal for the youngins to crawl around everywhere like that. My chameleon still climbs on the side of the cage pretty regularly. I'm going to add more branches to give my guy more options. Beware though: I have heard that chameleons can lose their nails if they get stuck in the mesh of the cage as they get older. This is obviously a problem since they need them for grip.

 

[jpowell86]

Thanks! Also he seems to like to hang upside down on the ceiling of the enclosure. Is this normal for juveniles to do?

It is completely normal when they are young to explore. The only reason it would be bad to see your chameleon hanging upside down, is if your husbandry is incorrect. He may be searching for warmer temps. Also, certain times when chameleons have Metabolic Bone Disease, dehydration or emaciation their behavior may be odd(e.g. hanging upside down). This is because they may not have the physical ability to hold themselves upright. So, as long as you are running the appropriate UVB lighting, temps and your supplementation schedule is correct, you should be worry free on this front!

 

[flaminglazer72]

It's normal for the youngins to crawl around everywhere like that. My chameleon still climbs on the side of the cage pretty regularly. I'm going to add more branches to give my guy more options. Beware though: I have heard that chameleons can lose their nails if they get stuck in the mesh of the cage as they get older. This is obviously a problem since they need them for grip.

I'll keep a lookout thanks!

 

[flaminglazer72]

It is completely normal when they are young to explore. The only reason it would be bad to see your chameleon hanging upside down, is if your husbandry is incorrect. He may be searching for warmer temps. Also, certain times when chameleons have Metabolic Bone Disease, dehydration or emaciation their behavior may be odd(e.g. hanging upside down). This is because they may not have the physical ability to hold themselves upright. So, as long as you are running the appropriate UVB lighting, temps and your supplementation schedule is correct, you should be worry free on this front!

I've noticed whenever he hangs upside down hes always under the UVB light. I tried moving branches closer to the light so he doesn't have to hang to be close but he still does it anyways.

 

[flaminglazer72]

It is completely normal when they are young to explore. The only reason it would be bad to see your chameleon hanging upside down, is if your husbandry is incorrect. He may be searching for warmer temps. Also, certain times when chameleons have Metabolic Bone Disease, dehydration or emaciation their behavior may be odd(e.g. hanging upside down). This is because they may not have the physical ability to hold themselves upright. So, as long as you are running the appropriate UVB lighting, temps and your supplementation schedule is correct, you should be worry free on this front!

Here's a pic of him n my shoulder

 

[jpowell86]

What kind of UVB are you running and how long has it been in use?

 

[flaminglazer72]

What kind of UVB are you running and how long has it been in use?

a standard 15 watt UVB and its been in use for one month as of yesterday.

 

[jpowell86]

He looks fine from what I can tell. The UVB should still be emitting properly after only one month. Would you be opposed to posting a picture of the enclosure?

 

[flaminglazer72]

He looks fine from what I can tell. The UVB should still be emitting properly after only one month. Would you be opposed to posting a picture of the enclosure?

not at all!!

 

[flaminglazer72]

not at all!!

its a 24"x24"x48" enclosure

 

[flaminglazer72]

its a 24"x24"x48" enclosure

Also, occasionally I run a humidifier next to the enclosure that will just give off some steam and add moisture and humidity to the room aside from just spraying the enclosure.

 

[jpowell86]

Okay...this make more sense. This is going to be an easy solution for you....ditch the red light. Get a regular 60 watt bulb for basking and a 5.0 UVB. I would suggest stuffing the enclosure with live plants(e.g. pothos, ficus, schefflera aboricola). With this you will want a grow bulb to keep the plants going strong(e.g. fluorescent light). The red light can be killer on their eyes.

 

[flaminglazer72]

Okay...this make more sense. This is going to be an easy solution for you....ditch the red light. Get a regular 60 watt bulb for basking and a 5.0 UVB. I would suggest stuffing the enclosure with live plants(e.g. pothos, ficus, schefflera aboricola). With this you will want a grow bulb to keep the plants going strong(e.g. fluorescent light). The red light can be killer on their eyes.

The red light is the heat lamp. Its infrared they said at the pet shop they cant see infrared light

 

[flaminglazer72]

The red light is the heat lamp. Its infrared they said at the pet shop they cant see infrared light

and Ive been planning on getting a live plant like a ficus tree or something like that

 

[NickyChameleon]

The red light is the heat lamp. Its infrared they said at the pet shop they cant see infrared light

Uhh hey so can you send a pic of his hind feet? Cuz he looks an awful lot like my baby girl.

 

[flaminglazer72]

Okay...this make more sense. This is going to be an easy solution for you....ditch the red light. Get a regular 60 watt bulb for basking and a 5.0 UVB. I would suggest stuffing the enclosure with live plants(e.g. pothos, ficus, schefflera aboricola). With this you will want a grow bulb to keep the plants going strong(e.g. fluorescent light). The red light can be killer on their eyes.

I just have the UVB off at the moment

Uhh hey so can you send a pic of his hind feet? Cuz he looks an awful lot like my baby girl.

Not really able to at the moment. but he's got spurs on his legs so i know hes a male

 

[jpowell86]

Here's the issue. They may not be able to perceive infrared, so there is no visual aid that suggests heat source. They can however see UVB. Is it a visible spectrum of light. In the wild, they get their heat and UVB from the same source...the sun. The best way to keep your chameleon healthy is to provide it with the elements that he would find naturally in the wild. When a chameleon basks each day he isn't searching for a dark area that he finds warm, he is search for visible sunlight to enter. Sunlight equals heat. So, when I setup an enclosure, I have a definitive space that the chameleon can see and understand is a "basking area". This way he can enter and exit as he will. This is imperative for thermoregulation. He will not search the cage for two fixtures that will provide two different things. So, your UVB is what he is seeing and going towards for heat. This is why the red bulb is not a good choice. I don't want to sound ugly, but most pet stores are completely unaware of what's needed for chameleons. They think of reptiles as a broad class of animals that require all the same elements. This is not true.