Crawling on the ground...

[dennislentz32]

My cham has been crawling on the bottom of his cage off and on for a couple of hours. I have taken him outside the last few days so I feel like that could have caused the change in his behavior. He NEVER goes near the ground unless he is eating. Maybe he is hungry? I don't know, if anyone has some answers please help!

 

[alexbrock]

fill this out so we can better assist you.

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?

 

[krknieriem]

Are you sure your "he" is not a "she"?

 

[dennislentz32]

Your Chameleon - Veiled, male, my guess is 3-5 months and I've had him for about 1
Handling - Usually about every other day for 5 minutes, I have taken him outdoors the last 3 days
Feeding - I am feeding him about 10 crickets per day. I have used tomatoes, strawberries, bell pepper, carrots, blueberries for gut-loading.
Supplements - I have yet to find the correct supplements at my local Petsmart. I plan on getting them this week.
Watering - I mist consistently throughout the day. About 5 times a day. I check the humidity level and base it off of that. I also have a drip system I use about every other day.
Fecal Description - They appear to normal. Brown with the yellow/white tip. Never been tested for parasites.
History - I've been taking him outside lately because before it was too hot out there. I haven't yet fed him today because I'm out of crickets. I will feed him today though. Also, he doesn't like to be held. So when I do hold him I make it brief


Cage Info:

Cage Type - I have a screen cage. It is 16"x16"x20" I believe.
Lighting - I have the stand and correct lights. I don't remember the brand names or anything but from previous posts and research I know they are correct. I turn them on and off for 12 hours at a time.
Temperature - The temperature stays at about 80 degrees mid-cage level. Night drops to mid 70's.
Humidity - Humidity stays around 50-60 percent. I use misting to maintain it.
Plants - I have a shefflera plant and a few false plants.
Placement - My cage is in my bedroom where there isn't much action throughout the day. The cage is about four feet high.
Location - Sacramento, California. Temperatures have dropped to the 80s from the 100s this week.

 

[dennislentz32]

Are you sure your "he" is not a "she"?

I am pretty sure. In a previous thread that is what others told me. Plus I recognized the spurs on his hind legs.

 

[alexbrock]

let him eat as much as he wants. offer more food. i cannot remember exactly where I read this but, tomatoes should not be used for your gutloading. Get supplements ASAP and dust lightly. i will try and find more info on this.

 

[alexbrock]

let him eat as much as he wants. offer more food. i cannot remember exactly where I read this but, tomatoes should not be used for your gutloading. Get supplements ASAP and dust lightly. i will try and find more info on this.

i now remember reading about tomatoes blocking the absorption of calcium

 

[seanUTD]

i now remember reading about tomatoes blocking the absorption of calcium

I actually heard it was an unhealthy level of vitamin A but I think the general consensus is that no tomatoes haha!

 

[alexbrock]

I actually heard it was an unhealthy level of vitamin A but I think the general consensus is that no tomatoes haha!

yeah im not 100% on my info, but yes we can agree no tomatoes!

 

[Thompson]

Add variety of gutloading to his feeders and also a variety of feeders too. Kale, butternut squash, yams, greens, mustard greens, dandelion leaves are a great addition to a gutload. Give him some silkies, hornworms, superworms, and roaches.

 

[kirekameleon]

My Calyptratus is only on the ground when he is looking for an escape route. I take him outside and when done he walks around the bottom. Plus he got out once so I am sure he enjoyed the freedom. I forgot to zip up the bottom, good thing I was home. Has he ever successfully escaped his cage?

kire

 

[dennislentz32]

He has never escaped before. I am pretty good at making sure his cage is completely closed before I walk away.

I fed him a few hours ago and he seems to be acting normal now. He is starting to mature really fast! I can see his stripes coming in.

I have watermelon, banana, and bell pepper as gut-load food now.

Friday is payday and it's looking like I'll have to do some shopping for my little guy!