How often do chameleons typically shed?

[A1ycia]

I've had my jackson chameleon, Loki, for a little over a month now.
He has not shed yet in my possession but he started acting a little funny yesterday.

He was doing this thing where he would pop his eyes out and rub it in branches (and I researched and saw that was a sign of shedding/itching due to shedding).
Today he is a little more grey in color than he normally is. His appetite has been decreased (normally eating 10 crickets, the last few days maybe 3-5 daily).

Today he is also exceedingly clingy.
Loki normally comes to me when I open the cage and I handle him once a day (he is EXTREMELY social); today he was literally flailing his front legs trying to get out... And when I put him back in his cage he puffed up and got angry and kept reaching for me.
(Way to go and make me feel guilty!)

Anyways... How often does shedding occur and how many days does it take for a chameleon to finish shedding? Because he is acting like a terrible 2 year old throwing a tantrum whenever I walk by his cage.

 

[carol5208]

It depends on how old he is. Babies can shed every couple of weeks and then when they become juveniles maybe every 4 weeks or so. When they reach adulthood which is at about a year and thereafter they will shed every 3 or 4 months or so. They will not do as many full body sheds as when they were younger, so you may see them just shedding in parts like their head, tail, feet etc. Chameleons all grow at different rates, so some may shed more than others. They will look kind of dry and chalky looking when they are getting ready to shed. Full body sheds can take a matter of minutes, to hours, it just depends on your chameleon. Some will still eat while shedding and others will not. Again, it is an individual thing. If he does not shed soon, and he keeps rubbing his eyes, then there might be something else going on with eyes.

 

[repdog]

I have had mine for just one month and he just shed in care. So maybe just very soon. Thanks for the info carol5208. I didn't even get a chance to see mine shed as he did it while I was at work and I only worked a half day.

 

[A1ycia]

Thanks so much. I honestly don't know how old he is. I posted a picture a month ago and someone thought he was 6 months but a friend of mine has one that he knows is 6 months and it's not even half his size. The people at petco were clueless about him when I purchased him.
He does look a bit chalky/dry along his back. I increased his humidity to 75 so hopefully it's over soon. Typically I keep it at ~70.
I observed him a lot today, I did not see him rub his eyes at all or do the bulge thing.

I'm just a bit nervous since I don't know what to expect.

 

[repdog]

I was getting a bit nervous as well. Then I came home and saw all this white stuff on the plants. At closer look it was so cool, it was his shed. I grabbed some of it out of the cage and put it in a photo pocket to save it. I couldn't believe how clear and white it was if that makes any sense. I'm use to bearded dragon and a frilly shedding you can see the scales. His next shed should be large enough for me to make his charm and add that to my necklace.

Don't forget you might have a runt so maybe that's why its smaller. Or being in the pet store it just didn't get the food or to stressed out.

 

[A1ycia]

Mine is quite a bit larger than my friends.

Here is a picture of Loki today. Even more pale white he is moving a bit slower. He ate 5 crickets this morning.
I put some trash bags around the outside of the cage to help keep humidity up for him I also bought a ficus plant for him, I don't know if I should put it in the cage today or wait till the shed is over to decrease stress and help with the transition:

If he looks abnormal/if this is not typical for shedding please let me know.

 

[repdog]

Well to keep this thread going is it normal after the shed to hide out more? Mine seems to be staying to the bottom of the cage. He didn't move much today. If not then I can post my own or give it a few days and take him to the vet for check up. He needs to be seen just for a wellness exam waiting for him to really settle in and grow.

 

[carol5208]

Well to keep this thread going is it normal after the shed to hide out more? Mine seems to be staying to the bottom of the cage. He didn't move much today. If not then I can post my own or give it a few days and take him to the vet for check up. He needs to be seen just for a wellness exam waiting for him to really settle in and grow.

No not really. Can you post a few pics of him??

 

[repdog]

Sure let me see what I can get tomorrow. Lights are now off.

 

[A1ycia]

Out of curiosity does Loki look like he is shedding...?

I just want to make sure its that and not another Problem... Since if I need to take him into a vet I would prefer to do it ASAP...

 

[repdog]

Sorry A1ycia I can't tell but mine is much better today. Normal color and at the top of the cage cruising all over.

 

[Danielsk217]

I've had my jackson chameleon, Loki, for a little over a month now.
He has not shed yet in my possession but he started acting a little funny yesterday.

He was doing this thing where he would pop his eyes out and rub it in branches (and I researched and saw that was a sign of shedding/itching due to shedding).
Today he is a little more grey in color than he normally is. His appetite has been decreased (normally eating 10 crickets, the last few days maybe 3-5 daily).

Today he is also exceedingly clingy.
Loki normally comes to me when I open the cage and I handle him once a day (he is EXTREMELY social); today he was literally flailing his front legs trying to get out... And when I put him back in his cage he puffed up and got angry and kept reaching for me.
(Way to go and make me feel guilty!)

Anyways... How often does shedding occur and how many days does it take for a chameleon to finish shedding? Because he is acting like a terrible 2 year old throwing a tantrum whenever I walk by his cage.

thats awesome i wish mine was social. Only had him 2 weeks so im working on it but he definitely does not like when i open the door lol