Missing spikes on Dorsal crest?

[JayDee]

Hello, I purchased an Ambilobe Panther Chameleon from FL chams (Flynn Bloodline) last week (1/26/18) and he has been doing great in his new enclosure so far. The other day when examining a photo of him up close I noticed that he has a spot that is missing spikes on his dorsal crest. I assume that it's a birth defect or maybe an old wound at the breeders while he was growing up? Just wanted some other opinions, thanks.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Ambilobe Panther Chameleon, male, 3-4 months, 8 days.
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Twice so far after I let him adjust for a week.
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Mainly half sized Crickets so far (8-12 every day), 1-2 super worms cut in half for a treat every other day, carrots/apples.
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  Zoo Med Reptile Calcium with D3, dusting 8 crickets 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? Mister, four times a day for one minute. Yes I do.
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Normal darkbrown/black with white urate.
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Purchased from FL chams, (Flynn bloodline)

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Screen, 18x18x36.
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Zoomed tropical UVB and heat lamp combo,Daylight blue reptile bulb 60 watt, Repti Sun 5.0 mini compact fluorescent lamp 13 watts
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? basking area 86-90, shaded spots 75-80, temp gauge, night low 72.
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? No humidity gauge at the moment, misting often/live plant.
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Umbrella plant, some fake vines and walking sticks.
• 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? Spare room, all vents close, 2 1/2 feet off the round, top of cage is 5 1/2 feet.
• Location - Where are you geographically located? Southwestern US

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Hello, I purchased an Ambilobe Panther Chameleon from FL chams (Flynn Bloodline) last week (1/26/18) and he has been doing great in his new enclosure so far. The other day when examining a photo of him up close I noticed that he has a spot that is missing spikes on his dorsal crest. I assume that it's a birth defect or maybe an old wound at the breeders while he was growing up? Just wanted some other opinions, thanks.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Ambilobe Panther Chameleon, male, 3-4 months, 8 days.
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Twice so far after I let him adjust for a week.
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Mainly half sized Crickets so far (8-12 every day), 1-2 super worms cut in half for a treat every other day, carrots/apples.
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
  Zoo Med Reptile Calcium with D3, dusting 8 crickets 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? Mister, four times a day for one minute. Yes I do.
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Normal darkbrown/black with white urate.
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Purchased from FL chams, (Flynn bloodline)

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Screen, 18x18x36.
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Zoomed tropical UVB and heat lamp combo,Daylight blue reptile bulb 60 watt, Repti Sun 5.0 mini compact fluorescent lamp 13 watts
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? basking area 86-90, shaded spots 75-80, temp gauge, night low 72.
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? No humidity gauge at the moment, misting often/live plant.
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Umbrella plant, some fake vines and walking sticks.
• 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? Spare room, all vents close, 2 1/2 feet off the round, top of cage is 5 1/2 feet.
• Location - Where are you geographically located? Southwestern US

Make sure to supplement with phosphorus-free calcium w/o d3 every feeding, and supplement phosphorus-free calcium w/ d3 and multivitamin every 2 weeks. Try to gutload with more variety. It is recommended to have a linear UVB, and you can use just a normal household white incandescent bulb. Please get a humidity gauge. What do you mean be a walking stick? Try to lower the basking spot to between 83-85, and the ambient temp at the bottom to be around the lower 70's (Fahrenheit). Feel free to ask questions, and please post pictures of the enclosure, and supplies. Happy Chameleon Keeping!

 

[JayDee]

Make sure to supplement with phosphorus-free calcium w/o d3 every feeding, and supplement phosphorus-free calcium w/ d3 and multivitamin every 2 weeks. Try to gutload with more variety. It is recommended to have a linear UVB, and you can use just a normal household white incandescent bulb. Please get a humidity gauge. What do you mean be a walking stick? Try to lower the basking spot to between 83-85, and the ambient temp at the bottom to be around the lower 70's (Fahrenheit). Feel free to ask questions, and please post pictures of the enclosure, and supplies. Happy Chameleon Keeping!

Okay I ordered a humidity gauge and Rep-Cal Calcium - Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 Free. I'll definitely be buying a linear uvb soon as well when I have more funds since everybody highly recommends them. I moved his vine down and his basking temps are more appropriate now.

So is it okay for him to be missing a few spikes at this age? Will they grow back/fill in as he gets older?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Not sure about the spikes. Please take out the carpet, it can get nasty.