new and not sure whats wrong

[rydawg0014]

Hey everyone I'm new and wanted to give everyone a hello here on the Cham forums!

For the last 2 and a half weeks my chameleon has been acting a little strange so I figured that coming here would probably help answer my question

My problem is: Back in May, I ordered my male sambava chameleon (named Ellis) from "Chameleonsonly" online and havent had anything but great things to say about it. He was hatched in March so he is about 5 months old. This is my first chameleon so I did a lot of reading to make sure that I could take care of him to my fullest extent. He has been great for the few months i have had him but as of lately, he seems to be acting strange. Lately he has become more aggressive if I try to handle him and also he seems to walk / pace around the bottom of the cage. I did some reading and found out that female chameleons will do this when they need to lay eggs...

Could this be the reason why my chameleon has been acting different lately? Do they become more aggressive if they need to lay eggs?

Also what would you recommend I do? I specifically asked for a male for the brighter color/ longer life and they seem to know their stuff about chameleons but perhaps they made a mistake.

Thank you for any advice!

-Ryan

oh yeah here is a recent picture i took of Ellis the other day when I tried to take him out and he got upset with me : /

 

[ShortStack]

It is a reason why chameleons will pace the cage, but it is not your issue as you have a male chameleon...

Chameleons also aren't the type of pet to be handled all the time. So try to take that into cOnsideration.

Trying using food as a way to have him enjoy your presence a little more.

 

[heartben]

your best bet is going to be to fill out the "How to ask for help" form so everyone can know what your setup and schedule is like.

 

[rydawg0014]

It is a reason why chameleons will pace the cage, but it is not your issue as you have a male chameleon...

Chameleons also aren't the type of pet to be handled all the time. So try to take that into cOnsideration.

Trying using food as a way to have him enjoy your presence a little more.

Well I was told that I ordered a sambava male.. but not sure if it is a male or if it could be a mistake.

also ill go fill out the questions of everything I have

 

[Symbiot]

According to that picture you definitely have a male sambava there. If he was female you wouldn't see such coloring, just a peachy color. Around that age chameleons can sometimes get aggressive. Not all chameleons are ok with the idea of being handled. Just give him time. Looks very healthy.

 

[skittles22]

Male

That cham is definatley a male, he has amazing color for his age and appears pretty healthy from the pic. I have an ambilobe male who has some attitude also. I just keep reminding myself that these chams dont always like to be handled and are solitary animals (Cant blame them for that). Just enjoy and appreciate it.

 

[rydawg0014]

No clue why my chameleon is acting this way

Chameleon Info:
Chameleon -Male? Sambava Panther Cham. named Ellis

Handling - Maybe once every few days or so. I dont want to stress him.

Feeding - Gut loaded crickets powdered in supplements. About 10-14 crickets a day. I powder them every few days
Supplements - I powder them every few days. I use Calcium w/ D3, Herptivite with Beta Carontene

Watering - I spray him 4-6 times a day to keep the humidity up. I spray for about 8 seconds each time and sometimes i see him drink and other times I do not. Depends if he is thirsty

Fecal Description - Dark colored poop with white tips on the end usually. Sometimes he does not have the white tip on the end of it. No he has not been tested for parasites.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen enclosure about 24x20x12 (rough estimate)

Lighting - Has 2 lights on, a UV reptisun i believe and another light for heating. (cant remember info off the top of my head)

Temperature - Cage floor is about 73 degrees and highest is about 94. Lowest overnight temp is about 72 degrees. I measure the temps with two thermometers in the enclosure.

Humidity - about 54 to 70-75. I create this by manually misting his cage when I give him water. I have a humidity thing in my enclosure to measure it.

Plants - I am using mostly fake foliage but i do have one plant in there that I checked out online to make sure it was safe for him.

Placement - Cage is located in my computer room where there isnt much traffic. He is about 3ft off the ground and not near any vents or windows.

Location - South Florida

My problem is: Back in May, I ordered my male sambava chameleon (named Ellis) from "Chameleonsonly" online and havent had anything but great things to say about it. He was hatched in March so he is about 5 months old. This is my first chameleon so I did a lot of reading to make sure that I could take care of him to my fullest extent. He has been great for the few months i have had him but as of lately, he seems to be acting strange. Lately he has become more aggressive if I try to handle him and also he seems to walk / pace around the bottom of the cage. I did some reading and found out that female chameleons will do this when they need to lay eggs...

Could this be the reason why my chameleon has been acting different lately? Do they become more aggressive if they need to lay eggs?

Also what would you recommend I do? I specifically asked for a male for the brighter color/ longer life and they seem to know their stuff about chameleons but perhaps they made a mistake.

Thank you for any advice!


Edit- i posted a picture in the general and people are saying he is in fact a male and looks very healty.

if you would like to offer any tips though or imput on anything, i would still greatly appreciate it!

 

[ShortStack]

I answered this in the other thread... In order for your chameleon to lay eggs.. it would have to be female.. yours, is not.

Also, chameleons dont really like to be handled (most of them anyway)... So it is not uncommon for a chameleon to become a little agressive with its owner.

 

[ShortStack]

Also, turn those temps down a little. Closer to the 85 mark.

 

[rydawg0014]

According to that picture you definitely have a male sambava there. If he was female you wouldn't see such coloring, just a peachy color. Around that age chameleons can sometimes get aggressive. Not all chameleons are ok with the idea of being handled. Just give him time. Looks very healthy.

Ah awesome and thank you!

Im glad you guys can tell because i was worried that he may have eggs due to accidently getting a female and i got worried because i read if they dont release the eggs, they die.

as far as handling them, i try not to hold him because i know he doesnt like it. but perhaps i can start to changed that slowly if i hand feed him some worms.

thank you again for the help!

 

[melvbrooke]

My panther is the same way. At around 5 months you would think my hands were acid. He would try to bite and scrambled anytime I tired to get him out for cleaning.

He's since calmed down a bit. Doesn't act like I'm killing him haha.

 

[rydawg0014]

My panther is the same way. At around 5 months you would think my hands were acid. He would try to bite and scrambled anytime I tired to get him out for cleaning.

He's since calmed down a bit. Doesn't act like I'm killing him haha.

lol thats exactly how mine is.

when i do take him out, you would think i was beating him or something and he tries to flee from me.

im glad to know that there is a chance that he could calm down.

 

[DavidBuchan]

My male Veiled went through a more aggressive phase too......it's part of growing up
Some worms is a good idea, but I gave mine too many waxworms, and he refused his crickets.........just one or two a day maximum is best.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Your vitamin schedule is unusual, most people on the forum will use a calcium powder with no d3 every day, a d3 powder twice a month, and a multivit once or twice a month. Depends on the brands you are using, so check up on the concentrations if you are not sure. Also, do turn the temps down, he doesn't need to bask higher than 85, and he might be trying to escape because he's too warm. 70F at the very floor is enough.
And welcome to the forum, too