Gaping for no reason?

[Zan❤sChams]

Recently I have noticed my chameleon gaping a lot. He just sits on his branch with his mouth wide open. There isn't any prey in sight or anything that might intimidate him. (Unless he finds a plant or a chair intimidating) Is this anything to be worried about, or am I just paranoid?

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

He could be to warm what's your basking temp ?

 

[Zan❤sChams]

I'm not sure of his basking temperature. I had ruled out the possibility of him being too warm because he is usually dark brown and at the top of the enclosure. If he continues to gape, I'll get a lower wattage bulb. I'm using 75 watt now. That's probably too much, but he always looked so dark and cold.

Thanks for your help!

 

[alphakenc]

I'm not sure of his basking temperature. I had ruled out the possibility of him being too warm because he is usually dark brown and at the top of the enclosure. If he continues to gape, I'll get a lower wattage bulb. I'm using 75 watt now. That's probably too much, but he always looked so dark and cold.

Thanks for your help!

If u want u can post a pic of him gaping his mouth,as long he has no slimy saliva or red gum mouth rot,he should be fine like Kristen said ,when the cham bask ,they do turn dark(absorbing the heat) n open their mouth sometime.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I'm not sure of his basking temperature. I had ruled out the possibility of him being too warm because he is usually dark brown and at the top of the enclosure. If he continues to gape, I'll get a lower wattage bulb. I'm using 75 watt now. That's probably too much, but he always looked so dark and cold.

Thanks for your help!

There many reasons for darker colors . You defantly want to Measure Baskin temps . He likely is warm if he only gapes under basking there cooling them self by gaping . Also if he move that also leads me to believe he's to hot .

 

[alphakenc]

There many seasons for darker colors . You defantly want to Measure Baskin temps . He likely is warm if he only gapes under basking there cooling them self by gaping . Also if he move that also leads me to believe he's to hot .

I would mist the cham with some Poland spring water for him to drink n cool off

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I would mist the cham with some Poland spring water for him to drink n cool off

Hey I got some , my Mister got a kink can u advise how one can un kink .

 

[alphakenc]

Hey I got some , my Mister got a kink can u advise how one can un kink .

1800Alphaplumber.... "they take clogging very serious "

 

[Zan❤sChams]

There many seasons for darker colors . You defantly want to Measure Baskin temps . He likely is warm if he only gapes under basking there cooling them self by gaping . Also if he move that also leads me to believe he's to hot .

He only gapes under the heat bulb, so he is definitely too warm. What I don't understand is why he doesn't move from that spot, directly under the heat lamp.

 

[alphakenc]

Maybe his body say "yes" but his open mouth say "No"

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

1800Alphaplumber.... "they take clogging very serious "

I'll get on it I hope 1800Alphaplumber can lent me a hand

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

He only gapes under the heat bulb, so he is definitely too warm. What I don't understand is why he doesn't move from that spot, directly under the heat lamp.

They leave you wondering often get used to that .

 

[alphakenc]

I'll get on it I hope 1800Alphaplumber can lent me a hand

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

View attachment 174105

Another fantastic emoji I want

 

[Zan❤sChams]

Last night I replaced my chameleon's 75 watt bulb with a 60 watt one. Unfortunately, I caught him gaping again earlier today. He closes his mouth as soon as he sees me. Is he still to hot or is this something else?

 

[Joseph 1233]

Last night I replaced my chameleon's 75 watt bulb with a 60 watt one. Unfortunately, I caught him gaping again earlier today. He closes his mouth as soon as he sees me. Is he still to hot or is this something else?

You can buy a thermometer with a cord for 10 $ that will measure the temperature in basking spot the bulb doesn't matter as much as the temp it would be worth it to be sure. I have two chams that would do that as well and stopped when I lowered basking spot temp a bit bulb may be to close. I think it would be worth it to be sure

 

[Furciferocious]

Could also be a sign of a respiratory infection. They "should" get lighter colored if too hot. Mine also sometimes gape for no apparent reason. I'm trying to be less paranoid about it.

 

[Theveiled]

Definitely measure the temperature of the basking spot. What species of cham do you have?

 

[Zan❤sChams]

Definitely measure the temperature of the basking spot. What species of cham do you have?

I have a Jackson's. I know that their basking temps are supposed to be around 85 degrees. My IR temp gun should be coming soon.