Chameleon Problems. PLEASE HELP! ASAP

[Spooked]

I got my chameleon about three weeks ago. He's a 3.5 month old panther chameleon. The past day or two, every time I open up the cage and mist or go to get him, he opens his mouth and I see some saliva as well as him hissing, and then he runs the opposite direction.

• I mist 2-3 times a day so he can't possibly be dehydrated.
• I feed 8-15 small crickets daily all covered in calcium supplements. D3 1 day every other week.
• His basking area reads 83-85 F
• He has plenty of hiding areas as well as a live plant.
• He is ALWAYS black during the day unless I take him out and then he gets colorful. Why?
• I give him a shower 2 times a week.
• I have a 50 watt heat bulb (83-85 F) basking.
• 5.0 UVB

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?????!?!?!?!??!
I understand chameleons are not a "cuddly" pet. I just want to make sure that he is HEALTHY and figure out why he's always black in his cage, why he opens his mouth at me when he sees me, and what sparked this change in attitude. He's never hissed or anything at me until a few days ago.





​

Thanks.​

 

[shomegirl]

Senior members will probably be able to help more. But they (and others) will want the questionnaire filled out. You may want to copy and paste with answers. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/
once you have this information it will be easier for others to help you. I am too new as well. But maybe he is too hot? What is the ambient temp.

 

[Spooked]

I answered most of the questionnaire in my question.

Thanks for responding though.

Ambient temp: low to mid 70s
Humiditiy : 50-60%+ , 90-99% when misting.

 

[savage13]

Just give him some time to get used to you. As for him being dark that's because to trying to warm up make sure that he can get a perch closer to the heat lamp that way he can regulate its body temperature..

 

[shomegirl]

well, if it is any consolation, mine stays dark a lot of the day. Basking or absorbing heat. Just recently his has gotten an attitude and puffs up at me, not hissing though. I don't get that close to him.. Once I see him start to get agitated, I just move away from the enclosure and let him be.

 

[Carlton]

I don't see much wrong. Chams will always show a little saliva when they gape, as they don't have dry mouths. What you don't want to see is a LOT of discolored mucous. When a cham is dehydrated it can produce a lot of clear saliva DURING active drinking. This will be very obvious as they drool while they are drinking and it drips off their lips. Gaping when disturbed is normal. He's probably starting to defend his new turf, and you are the intruder. Getting more colorful when picked up is normal. Firing up is a response to stress (there is good and bad stress and it happens at all levels).




WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?????!?!?!?!??!
I understand chameleons are not a "cuddly" pet. I just want to make sure that he is HEALTHY and figure out why he's always black in his cage, why he opens his mouth at me when he sees me, and what sparked this change in attitude. He's never hissed or anything at me until a few days ago.





​

Thanks.​

[/QUOTE]

 

[reptiles4evar]

I wouldnt shower it two times a week that will stress him.