Grabbing his own feet, dangerous.

StreetMoggy

StreetMoggy

New Member
Hi guys, I've seen Mr. Peabody do this a couple times, where he has grabbed his own foot instead of the branch, once he almost fell, and today i just held my hand under him and kinda nudged him along to correct himself.

In his enclosure I'm not overly worried, but today it was out in his mini free range and I fear that he could take quite the fall.

My question is, do they grow out of these mistakes?? he's around 7 months, and he is usually only in this part of the house when I'm cleaning his cage, or if I'm in the room with him. Maybe twice a week.
IMG_3073.jpg
 
Commah does the same thing sometimes.
He is 10 months old, a vield just like your little guy.
He more frequently does it when he is scared or moving quickly- sometimes he even gets startled and wraps his own tail around one of his back legs... THEN he *really* panicks! Haha.

As to if they will grow out of it, im not sure. The only real concern is falling. Vields, in my opinion, are quirkly little guys to begin off with- they always make me laugh!

Atleast you know your not alone! :)
 
Im sorry to say that chameleons that do this frequently usually have a nutritional deficiency, from what I understand.

I encourage you to provide your answers to the "how to ask for help" sticky, so that we can help you verify your husbandry, just to be safe
 
I agree with Sandra that it is not normal behavior for a chameleon to grab his front legs with his back.
 
I really don't think that this behavior has anything to do with his health. The first time I saw him do it was back in Jan., when I brought him home, and he was new to his cage,
This time, I added an umbrella tree to the little free range area. Someone mentioned above that if they are frightened this can happen, that's basically what I was thinking, new surrounding, plus human interaction. After an exploration of the umbrella tree he settled on the highest branch.

for anyone who has a cham in a 'part time' free range area, do they get used to this area? do you think they remember it? or do they even have that memory capacity?
 
Unfortunately grabbing the legs can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Most commonly metabolic bone disease, which is caused by calcium deficiency and/or lack of UVB.
 
Ditto what Sandra and Ferret said.

For example, calcium is not just a mineral that makes the bones strong, your nerves use calcium every single time they send a message to the muscles, so if you don't have enough calcium in your system your muscle function will start to be all over the place.

If mine are reaching for a branch and get their own leg by accident they realize their mistake instantaneously and keep feeling, they never keep holding on to themselves like in the photo.

It's never a bad idea to double check your husbandry, just in case.
 
I have only seen my veiled do this once. It was while exploring in his enclosure and he got into a situation where he couldn't find anything solid to reach out and grab. He did find his own leg, but quickly decided that it didn't help! :p In a case like that, I wouldn't be too concerned, except maybe to move a vine to avoid those types of trouble spots. I am a little concerned that it has occurred a couple of times. I'd fill out the form just for a few opinions! ;) Can't hurt to be as careful as can be, and you could avoid long term damage. :)
 
Ok here it is,

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - Male, Veiled, just hit 7months old. I've had Him since lateJan. 2013
Handling - about every other day
Feeding -He has a varity of feeders: phoenix worms (large) medium crickets, silk worms. The odd wax and butter worm (about 5 worms total/week these are what I call "snacks" ) until 2 weeks ago he was fed daily: cricket day about 12, phoenix day about 25 ( or what he can eat in about 20 min), silk day 7 med-large silk worms.
dusted with exo calcium ( I have not been dusting phoenix worms, but Maybe I should start?)
Every friday I use either repti cal with D3 or multi-vit
flukers brand alternating each week. crickets get a mix of calcium food I get from my pet store, a store bought gutload, and fresh collard greens (changed daily) and carrots.
As of 2 weeks ago I started him on an every other day, feedings with phoenix worm snacks on the off days, just to work him into the change.
Water: misting 4x daily, dripper every other day is on, I've only ever seen him drink once.
Fecal- stool comes out proper brown and white uriate. Has never been tested, but his parents had a vet check up last year and they were good. He will have first standard vet visit when the weather warms up.

Cage Info:

Cage Type - Exotara 18x18x24 Terrarium with glass and vents (adult home being built, should be done by his 8 month birthday)
Lighting - basking 75w halogen, about 10 inches above the top of screen, 10.0 florescent bulb, bulb sits on screen. Lights are on a timer: 12/12
Temperature - basking spot ranges from 77-88 temp probe stationed in basking area. around the tank taken with temp gun it ranges from 80 around the top, and 73 around the bottom. Overnight it drops to about 67 give or take a couple degrees depending on the weather
Humidity - morning it's around 30 misting durring the day keeps it up between 40-80 and night it drops to 20 or high teens. I have a duel probe for temp and humidity.
Plants - hibiscus, fictus and pathos
Placement - In the kitchen on the counter, so he's eye level with you.
Location - Canada, southern Ontario

I have a mini free range area in my spare room, I've added a couple uvb bulbs over the plants (they usually don't need any extra light, but I think they like it). I haven't made a basking area yet, so he only go's in this area for no more than an hour at a time. He gets to use this area 2 times a week

Current Problem second time grabbing his foot by mistake. He was placed on a new umbrella tree. Frist time was back in January. I think he is just startled. But I am open to suggestions on my care!!


If this is an indication of MBD should I dust his phoenix worms? Also, I went out and got a new uvb bulb today, as it should still have another full month on it, but just in case I did it anyways.
 
I dust all my food but that is just me. Not saying it is right or wrong.
what is the store bought gutload? What is in it? What is calcium food? Flukers?
 
carol5208 said:
I dust all my food but that is just me. Not saying it is right or wrong.
what is the store bought gutload? What is in it? What is calcium food? Flukers?
Click to expand...

The calcium food is almost like little pellets? The pet store just makes up little plastic containers of it. So there is a sprinkle of that, a sprinkle of zoo med natural cricket care, and the veggies.

I'm just going to dust the phoenix worms from now on as well.
 
sandrachameleon said:
Im sorry to say that chameleons that do this frequently usually have a nutritional deficiency, from what I understand.

I encourage you to provide your answers to the "how to ask for help" sticky, so that we can help you verify your husbandry, just to be safe
Click to expand...

thank you sandracham,
after reading your post i made a vet appointment, i had seen minion grab himself a couple times recently.
went with all my supplements and husbandry, dr. bjornebo liked everything i was doing but i just had a feeling, so we did an xray and saw that he had 1 fracture that was healing and his bones don't have the right density. so a new calcium powder and calcium glubionate for 3 months.

thanks sandra
 
My female Cham did this a lot as she got older took a few good falls too as she got older her grip wasn't quiet as it use to be she is actually on a flat surface now and doesn't climb at all now she's just surrounded by bushes & plants... My female veiled Cham is pushin 5 years now :)
No mbd ever she's gone for regular X-rays and her bone density is great
:) don't kno how old ur Cham is but just a sign of old age fort girl...
 
dom1959 said:
thank you sandracham,
after reading your post i made a vet appointment, i had seen minion grab himself a couple times recently.
went with all my supplements and husbandry, dr. bjornebo liked everything i was doing but i just had a feeling, so we did an xray and saw that he had 1 fracture that was healing and his bones don't have the right density. so a new calcium powder and calcium glubionate for 3 months.

thanks sandra
Click to expand...

this is why i love this forum. Senior members are knowledgeable, and newer members actually heed the advice.

props to you for taking action.
 
When I first joined the forums I read an article just like this. I bought my veiled through a petshop that actually is known for taking relatively good care of their reptiles, however the clutch of veiled's didn't have a proper supplementation schedule. For the first week or so I noticed my little Gizmo would go to reach for a branch but end up grabbing his own foot or leg. Yet as my supplementation schedule kicked in he gradually stopped, and I have not seen him do it since. I was very glad that I had read in advance that the problem could be related to MBD and an increase in calcium supplementation would be of much benefit. Though Gizmo showed no *physical* signs of MBD like crooked limbs, he did show a slight behavioural signs (limb grabbing). Don't look at just the physique of your chameleon, pay attention to their behaviour as well!
Really like seeing senior members share such knowledgable information because it is exactly how I solved a problem, listening to all of you!
Cheers guys.
 
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