Chameleon laying flat on the bottom of the enclosure

[reannelyn]

Hey guys! I'm a first time owner of a nosy be Panther chameleon. I just actually got him today and I guess I'm just nervous about him. I turned the lights off from his enclosure a couple hours ago. I think around 8pm and I just turned my laundry room light on real quick to see if he was okay(me being parnoid) before I went to bed and he is laying flat on the plastic ground of his enclosure. Is that normal? I just want to be able to sleep peacefully tonight knowing he is okay lol thank you guys

 

[Alexander1]

Any pics?

 

[reannelyn]

Any pics?

I don't really want to turn the light on again and disturb him but if you need a pic I can try and get one!

 

[Alexander1]

Well it is a little odd for your Cham to laying flat on the bottom of the floor, chameleons are tree dwelling reptiles they rarely come down let alone lay on the bottom of the cage. I would post a pic

 

[reannelyn]

Well it is a little odd for your Cham to laying flat on the bottom of the floor, chameleons are tree dwelling reptiles they rarely come down let alone lay on the bottom of the cage. I would post a pic

 

[Chamifornia]

I don't really want to turn the light on again and disturb him but if you need a pic I can try and get one!

Post a pic. He may have been down there roaming and the lights went out or he coukd have fallen and just stayed.

 

[Chamifornia]

He looks ok, does he have any branches to nake his way back up? Him being so small he could climb the screen if he wanted. I wouldn't be too worried about him though

 

[reannelyn]

Pics are posted. He def didn't fall. I went out and came home earlier(went his lights were still on) and I was looking around for him in his enclosure up high and he was actually down below just sitting still on a really low branch toward the bottom. Here is my enclosure

 

[reannelyn]

He looks ok, does he have any branches to nake his way back up? Him being so small he could climb the screen if he wanted. I wouldn't be too worried about him though

Yeah he has braches and vines to make his way back up if he wanted too but thank you. I'm just so nervous

 

[Chamifornia]

Its definitely unusual for them to be down there. I would try and pick him up and put on a branch

 

[reannelyn]

Its definitely unusual for them to be down there. I would try and pick him up and put on a branch

Do you think it's just bc he was really hot? I just got him today and he has been shy and scared. He ate crickets today and licked some water droplets. He was shipped from fl chams

 

[Theveiled]

Yeah he has braches and vines to make his way back up if he wanted too but thank you. I'm just so nervous

I know just how stressful and nerve racking it can be! When I first got Stark I was so nervous and stressed about his health. I think though it can make you a better chameleon owner because you are paying close attention and asking more questions to find out!

 

[reannelyn]

I know just how stressful and nerve racking it can be! When I first got Stark I was so nervous and stressed about his health. I think though it can make you a better chameleon owner because you are paying close attention and asking more questions to find out!

Yeah that's how I am and I just want him to be okay! And thanks! I've researched everything there is to know but there is always more things to learn

 

[Theveiled]

Yeah that's how I am and I just want him to be okay! And thanks! I've researched everything there is to know but there is always more things to learn

That is very true! I'm on chameleon forums frequently and seem to learn something new or interesting each time! The people here are just so helpful and full of knowledge about chameleons. I hope to be like them some day!

 

[jajeanpierre]

He might be hot or he might have ended up on the floor and not know how to get up. in the morning put more branches and things leading up to a plant. Just pick him up and put him in the middle of one of your plants.

 

[reannelyn]

That is very true! I'm on chameleon forums frequently and seem to learn something new or interesting each time! The people here are just so helpful and full of knowledge about chameleons. I hope to be like them some day!

Yes I agree with you!!!!

 

[reannelyn]

He might be hot or he might have ended up on the floor and not know how to get up. in the morning put more branches and things leading up to a plant. Just pick him up and put him in the middle of one of your plants.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Chamifornia]

Do you think it's just bc he was really hot? I just got him today and he has been shy and scared. He ate crickets today and licked some water droplets. He was shipped from fl chams

I doubt its a temp issue. What is the temp in the enclosure? I just got another baby ambanja 3 weeks ago and hes walked on the bottom maybe once. He probably fell after the lights went off and decided to chill. Either way personally id help him back up and evaluate him tomorrow. Good luck, cute little guy too

 

[guanagator]

I agree with Janet and Chamifornia, would put him back in a plant for the night and reassess tomorrow. Probably just confused in his new home but typically not a good sign when they are laying on the bottom. Hopefully you just surprised him down there and he was too spooked to climb back up in the dark. If you continue to find him in that position then maybe an issue.

 

[JGuinan007]

What are the temps at the top of the cage when lights have been on for an hour or so?