Chameleon change in behaviour

[milliemayooo]

Hi , my female veiled chameleon is about 1 year old we think and has stated to not eat much at all she’s only eating a couple of medium sized locusts a day if that . Also she has been walking around on the floor a lot and tapping at the glass as if she wants to come out but when we go over and see if she wants to come out she darkens in colour and backs off . She hasn’t shed since beginning of June we think . Also when we open the vivarium it smells in there could this be a problem ? She hasn’t layed any eggs as of yet so could she be getting ready to lay eggs do u think ? She seems like she’s always on the move in the vivarium and don’t seem to settle much .

I don’t know if any of this information helps but just wanted to know if anyone else’s has acted in this way ?

 

[JoXie411]

Do you have a laying bin? If not get one now, it sounds like she’s looking to lay

 

[Beman]

What do you mean it smells? Like what kind of smell? Typically you do not want an odor coming from their viv. Maybe post a pic of the entire viv lights down. Are you running a totally bioactive set up?

 

[AnamCara]

Hi , my female veiled chameleon is about 1 year old we think and has stated to not eat much at all she’s only eating a couple of medium sized locusts a day if that . Also she has been walking around on the floor a lot and tapping at the glass as if she wants to come out but when we go over and see if she wants to come out she darkens in colour and backs off . She hasn’t shed since beginning of June we think . Also when we open the vivarium it smells in there could this be a problem ? She hasn’t layed any eggs as of yet so could she be getting ready to lay eggs do u think ? She seems like she’s always on the move in the vivarium and don’t seem to settle much .

I don’t know if any of this information helps but just wanted to know if anyone else’s has acted in this way ?

A vivarium should not smell like anything but maybe dirt and foliage. Like outside on a fresh day. Are you removing poop as you see it? How many live plants are in there? Is it bioactive? -- Could you please fill out the health form below.

I agree with Joxie it sounds like she is searching for a place to lay. My guess is she is looking for a way out of the enclosure either because A.) she is searching for a place to dig and lay or B.) she dislikes something about her enclosure. Lay bin info : https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video.77225/ Some keepers believe chameleons are not looking for depth so much as a hard "thing" to lay eggs up against -- so it may be worth putting a rock or a plant in the lay bin as long as there is ample room to dig. Make sure the bin substrate can hold a hole.

Would you please post photos of your enclosure and your chameleon. Again -- I would also highly suggest you fill out the below form.

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[AnamCara]

I just peeked through your recent posts. Have you added a lay bin since May? Please, fill out the help form.

 

[milliemayooo]

I just peeked through your recent posts. Have you added a lay bin since May? Please, fill out the help form.

Yes I do have a lay bin it’s been in there about 2 weeks

 

[Beman]

Yes I do have a lay bin it’s been in there about 2 weeks

It looks like we have asked for you to fill out the form and post pics a few times to try to assist you. I am afraid at this point you really need to do this so we can help you. Otherwise you will not get the feedback you need.

 

[milliemayooo]

What do you mean it smells? Like what kind of smell? Typically you do not want an odor coming from their viv. Maybe post a pic of the entire viv lights down. Are you running a totally bioactive set up?

 

[AnamCara]

Yes I do have a lay bin it’s been in there about 2 weeks

We need the help form.

@Beman @jannb @Brodybreaux25 Eyes?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

.

 

[JoXie411]

What are you supplementing with? She looks to have eye problems

 

[Brodybreaux25]

We need the help form.

@Beman @jannb @Brodybreaux25 Eyes?

Yes her eyes are both definitely inflamed. Cant tell you why without the help form. The smell is probably mildew, the viv is poorly set up.

 

[Tony_S]

Is the enclosure sides totally solid (any screen sections)? Looks like even the top is wood?

 

[Beman]

There is a lot wrong just in the images....

1. how is she getting any uvb with the light positioned in the front like that and is it even a UVB bulb?
2. ALL fake plants and vines.
3. top of the cage is solid... limited airflow.
4. where is the heat lamp or is it the one that is placed in the cage?
5. why is there a plastic bag in the lay bin?

These are just the visual things that I can see right off the bat.

So again help form would be beneficial here... Guessing this is not a bio active setup since it would appear that ALL plants are fake. So the smell is probably coming from the lay bin or if there is substrate being used in the bottom and then getting moist and molding.