Eating Issue

[rrvikesgirl]

I have a panther chameleon who is between 9 and 10 months old. He has always been an eating champ up until his last shed about 5 days ago. Since then his eating has gone from 15-20 medium crickets and a 1/4 leaf of collard greens per day to only 3-5 crickets the last few days. Today, he really didn't eat any crickets, but I gave him 4 wax worms today and he ate those. He drank water today and he has defecated twice (once yesterday) since his shed, and it seems normal. And he's moving around his cage as normal. His temperatures and humidity levels have been great. His color is good. His lights are still working - I use both day and a night light. It's really just his eating... is this normal? I'm likely going to call his vet tomorrow and see what she thinks, but thought I'd reach out here too.

Thoughts?

 

[kinyonga]

They can slow down on the eating as they reach full size since they don't have to grow any more.

 

[Scottsquatch]

You say you use a night light? Do you mean a ceramic heat bulb or an actual light? Chams need complete darkness at night. If it actually is a light, and you are doing it for warmth, I would switch to the ceramic heat bulb. If its just for viewing, I would change your lighting schedule so you have better viewing time and ditch that night light.

 

[Graves923]

You say you use a night light? Do you mean a ceramic heat bulb or an actual light? Chams need complete darkness at night. If it actually is a light, and you are doing it for warmth, I would switch to the ceramic heat bulb. If its just for viewing, I would change your lighting schedule so you have better viewing time and ditch that night light.

Also, a night time temp drop is healthy for some chameleons.

 

[Graves923]

Could you please fill out the Form on the first post of this link found in the health section? https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

This will help us zero in on what might be the problem.

 

[rrvikesgirl]

I use a nocturnal infrared heat lamp for him at night. Only because we keep our house cool and this helps him to regulate his heat even at night.

I'll fill out the form as well.

Thank you all for your help! I appreciate it

 

[Graves923]

FYI, infared light may not be visible to the human eye but chameleons can see infared. a Ceramic heat emitter is what you want if temps drop below 60-55*F

 

[serenaj25]

I use a nocturnal infrared heat lamp for him at night. Only because we keep our house cool and this helps him to regulate his heat even at night.

I'll fill out the form as well.

Thank you all for your help! I appreciate it

approx what temperature does your house get because chams do well when there is a temp drop at night and even if it is red colored they can still see it so it may be messing up his sleep.