Gaping mouth

[wprazak]

My Cham has done this several different times, opens her mouth like she yawning throat puffed out and like twitches. Her butt end twitches and mouth opens wider. Does this only a few seconds What’s wrong with her?

 

[Edmar1023]

Maybe over heating

 

[GrayMadder]

Does she do it when you are approaching her? Or when you are trying trying grab her?

She could just be defensive towards you.

 

[wprazak]

When I walk up towards her she does it

 

[GrayMadder]

My guess is it's:
1. Either too hot in her enclosure, I would take a look at her basking area and check the temps in her enclosure. If you know her temps are good then possibly number 2.
2. She is frightened by you, getting defensive and is warning you to stay back or to get away from her.

 

[wprazak]

Basking temp is 80. She was drinking when I approached her she flared up and did the twitch

 

[GrayMadder]

Is it similar to these behaviors ?

 

[JacksJill]

Mine do that a day or two before a shed. If she starts to shed you are fine otherwise look at the possible causes listed above.

 

[GrayMadder]

She sounds like she just needs some space.

You might be stressing her out or handling her too much. She could be stressed out if you are constantly holding her or if her enclosure is in a high traffic area.

I would just keep monitoring her for any other symptoms, while giving her some space.

 

[wprazak]

Not to mention that I keep fixing her greenery up. Redecorating so say

 

[Mendez]

It sounds like she is just getting defensive. My male jacksons xantholophus does this--especially when I start rearranging his cage. They do the twitching/jolting movements to show their annoyance at you.

However, if your female is getting too hot and is gaping for long periods of time, you may notice that she has lighter colors as well, trying to cool off. In this case, lower the temps. If she is only gaping when you approach the cage, then I wouldn't lower the temp at all--and you are keeping it at 80F so that's good.

I would try to leave her cage alone as much as possible. If you need to redecorate, do it all at once and then leave the cage alone. Once you leave her cage alone for a while (a week or two or three), and only approach to feed her, she will stop gaping and twitching at you.

 

[Pearl Fields]

It sounds like she is just getting defensive. My male jacksons xantholophus does this--especially when I start rearranging his cage. They do the twitching/jolting movements to show their annoyance at you.

However, if your female is getting too hot and is gaping for long periods of time, you may notice that she has lighter colors as well, trying to cool off. In this case, lower the temps. If she is only gaping when you approach the cage, then I wouldn't lower the temp at all--and you are keeping it at 80F so that's good.

I would try to leave her cage alone as much as possible. If you need to redecorate, do it all at once and then leave the cage alone. Once you leave her cage alone for a while (a week or two or three), and only approach to feed her, she will stop gaping and twitching at you.

i second this

 

[wprazak]

Noted. Thank you for all y’all’s help.