Fell 5+ times!

[Wolfepack]

This hasn't been an issue for a few months now (there was a period of time when he was a baby that he couldn't hold the branches in his small cage) but it has been terrible today!! It is like he can't get a grip on the siding of the cage (it's the metal meshy stuff) He fell over 5 times today. I kept checking on him and nothing seemed visibly wrong. I took him out a couple times to make sure he was moving around okay and he was. Climbed and gripped my clothes fine and climbed around a small metal pen that he loves to be on. He also ventured on other things and didn't have a problem. But when I put him back in the cage he would slip and sometimes catch himself with his tail if a branch was close but he just kept falling.
I moved him into the 2x2x4 cage a couple weeks ago and he hasn't had any issues until now. I am really worried he is going to get hurt badly from falling from so high.
Debating on putting him back in the small cage?
Please, any insight would be appreciated. I don't know what to do!
BTW- he is eating fine and otherwise healthy. He will be 1 year old this thursday. I thought as he would mature he wouldn't have this problem. =/ Please, help.

 

[Chameleonmaster]

What is your supplement schedule and do you have any photos you could post?

 

[Wolfepack]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Designer Cross Panther Chameleon. Male. Almost 12 months old. Arrived on April 20, 2012.


Handling – Practically daily. Begs to come out almost every day.

Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Feeding 5-6 medium crickets every other day. Gut load with assorted fruits and veggies and repashy bug burger..

Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Dusted with Repashy Calcium Plus daily. Dusted with Rep-Cal Calcium with VitD 2x month. Dusted with Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamin once a week.

Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Automatic misting system goes for 30 seconds every 3 hours. Plus occasional manual mistings.

Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Feces are mostly brown with a bit of white. Solid. Never been tested in my care.

History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Very active, loves coming out of the cage and playing on our Chihuahua’s playpen. Will not poop in cage anymore.

Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
ReptiBreeze aluminum screen cage.. 24x24x48.

Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Fluker's basking lamp with 60 watt daylight bulb, Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb. Schedule is from 6 am-6 pm.
(Side note-since upgrading to bigger cage it doesn’t seem as if there is enough light)

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Digital thermometer located about 2-3 inches from top corner. Temperature basking is about 85 degrees. He usually stays around the middle branch. Temperature in area is never below 72 degrees (a bit cold blooded myself!)


Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Humidity guage for ambient humidity. Usually stays around 65%.



Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
2 Double dipped Devil’s Ivy/Pothos, Strawberry and Cream Ruby Rubber Tree Plant, Victorian Parlor Palm (bella plant?), Hibiscus Rose Queen plant (no flowers yet).

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?
Cage is located in a corner, not really a high traffic area. Closest vent is about 6 feet away. (Best location in relation to vents,doors,traffic area). Cabinet is from Exoterra. Top is about 7 feet from the ground.

Location - Where are you geographically located?
Located in Jacksonville, NC

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Fell multiple times while climbing on the mesh of the cage (sides).

 

[Kate]

I'm wondering about your supplements. I used to use repeshay calcium plus daily but have changed it to twice a week and plain calcium without d3 every feed in between.you are using another one with d3 and a multivit as well. I'm thinking. This is too much. When using Repeshey calcium plus you don't need anything else I believe.

 

[Wolfepack]

Would the supplements reduce his ability to grip the mesh?
How do I upload a photo from my phone on here? So frustrated!

 

[camimom]

Hes only falling from the mesh???

IF so, its probably because his nails/feet are too big to cilmb it now.

 

[Lancecham]

Hes only falling from the mesh???

IF so, its probably because his nails/feet are too big to cilmb it now.

This could be a possible reason.
Also,
How is his grip? Does he have his toe nails. Without toe nails, it is very difficult to climb the mesh.

 

[Wolfepack]

Yes, he is only falling from the mesh. What is a solution here? He is still pretty small compared to other adults I've seen so he should still be growing.

 

[camimom]

There is no solution.

Hes simply too big to climb the mesh.

Provide more climbing objects for him, branches, vines, etc.

 

[Wolfepack]

His grip is great, he climbs on other objects just fine. He is very active and loves to move around and be out of the cage. He has all of his toe nails. They don't seem to be too long either. I thought maybe that was causing him to slip but when I looked at them they seemed fine. I will make some more vines and stuff. Hopefully that helps.

Does he look too small for being a year old? Other panthers look huge compared to him. Or does it take longer than a year to be full grown?
Sorry for all the questions. Just want to be sure my baby is okay.

 

[camimom]

can you post photos of him on your hand so we can see how big he really is?

also, panthers keep growing untilthey are 2 years old.

 

[Solid Snake]

Would the supplements reduce his ability to grip the mesh?

Hello!

Yes, it could(even if its not exactly the issue in this case).

D3 over-supplementation will cause this issue(falling, in general) and many others.


You want them to make as much of their own D3 as possible from diet and lighting. The supplement should just be added in, only to make for sure, they are getting what they need, and not looked at as their sole source, or the best source of D3. They will store D3 until it is used, before creating more. They can not overdose on sun, but they very much so can on the supplements you give them. Even a little too much over months and months could cause damage. I myself would likely stop all D3 supplementation for 3-4 weeks, and go over what you supplement with, how much, and why. There are many different approaches, and while I tend to think variety is best, you just may have a little too much variety at once.

Just my opinion.