Odd behavior in chameleon

[ZombieCham]

Hi, my name is Amy and i have just gotten a male Mellers chameleon. His name is Zombie and he is about 2 years old... Im new to owning chameleons, but did my research before hand. However, Zombie has been desplaying some very peculiar bahavior! Im not sure if it is a reaction to his new invironment or not.. He isnt turning any sicky colors, nor is his sleeping patterns strange. but, i bought him a Misty Palm to free range in throughout the day, and the last couple of days, he has been climbing it, turninf his sun bathing color which is a darg green/blue, puffing out his throat and then letting go of the tree and falling into the bottom of the planter... This is scaring me greatly. when i pick him up, he is agitated and hisses. He has done this three times. Once yesterday, and twice today. I generally hand feed him, as he is picky and wont eat in his tree and rarely eats in his enclosure. He gets about two hours of sunlight each day in small incraments, and his free range area is right beside a window. He has a humidity controller, and is misted three times a day. What am i doing wrong? And is Zombie's health in danger? Or is he just being a little hard headed with his new owner?

 

[Thompson]

I would read all this just incase you mist anything husbandry wise for your mellers. http://melleridiscovery.com/ Can you also fill out this https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Leedslad88]

Are you using a UVB light? Just cos you say that he gets 2 hours of daylight through the window (Which is pointless as the glass does not allow uv to filter through) Also if he hisses at a certain point when he is ont the tree/plant then i would guess thast there is something that he can see that he doesnt like (pets, inanimate objects) which is why he is puffing and hissing and ultimately falling to the ground.

I would say try not to free range him until he gets used to you (his fall could break his leg and or cause a lot of damage)

 

[ZombieCham]

by sunlight, i meant that i take him outside. And yes, i did buy a UVB light, luckily the guy at the pet store saw that i was a little on the inexperienced side... But also, i got him from someone that free ranged his all the time, so i was trying to keep him used to his normal schedule.
What else could possibly be wong? I cant imagine losing him.

 

[draetish]

Melleris are very unique and there are alot of experienced meller keepers on this forum. The best way to help you is to fill in this information and post pictures. There is no way to know what's going on without this.


How to ask for help

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Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
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?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[ZombieCham]

S.o.s.

I have no clue whats going on, but my chameleon has gone very rigid! he hasnt closed his eyes, but...I mean, you would believe that he is dead if it werent for the random moments that he will have where he begins to wander aimlessly. My veternarian office is closed for the day, and this looks BAD. I have no clue what could possibly be wrong with him! He is doing the following, but this has ONLY happened today within the last four hours:
Eating potting soil
Refusing water and food
compressing his body
Becoming very rigid
Losing grip
Displaying aggression
Hissing
Drooling eccessively
Acting disoriented
Someone, please give me some clue as to help my Cham!

 

[draetish]

i have no clue whats going on, but my chameleon has gone very rigid! He hasnt closed his eyes, but...i mean, you would believe that he is dead if it werent for the random moments that he will have where he begins to wander aimlessly. My veternarian office is closed for the day, and this looks bad. I have no clue what could possibly be wrong with him! He is doing the following, but this has only happened today within the last four hours:
Eating potting soil
refusing water and food
compressing his body
becoming very rigid
losing grip
displaying aggression
hissing
drooling eccessively
acting disoriented
someone, please give me some clue as to help my cham!

post pics of him and his enclosure. He may be so stressed he is about to die.

 

[Elizadolots]

Pictures, definitely. Of the whole area if possible. There might be something like a red couch or something that is freaking him out.

 

[draetish]

Melleri's free range has to be done right or it won't work for them. They need 12 hours of UVB, basking and dripping water "available" for them to survive in a free range, not that they will use all for the straight 12 hrs, but they need this available. Supplements are important as well as gutloaded feeders. Sounds like this guy has been lacking in some of those areas from the previous owner. You may be able to turn him around, but timing is critical.

 

[Titan]

I have no clue whats going on, but my chameleon has gone very rigid!


Eating potting soil
Refusing water and food
Drooling eccessively

Ok, These 3 thing could lead to possible intake of foreign object to wrong area within its body. (lungs ect.?) Besides the fact that some potting soils may if not organic can contain poisonous chemicals resulting in Hallucinations and such? just a guess.

 

[reptimom]

Has Zombie eaten anything since you've had him? Drank any water - Have you given him a shower? I have 3 Mellers and now have shown this type of drastic behavior - even after flying across the US. Try putting him in the shower - this usually will help hydrate him and relax him. Check the room for anything that could be bothering him. Where is his freerange located? Away from high traffic, other pets. If he has eaten, what has he eaten? Where was the food purchased or was it wild caught. Would you please submit pics or video - we may be able to help more if we can see whats going on!

 

[Carlton]

He is doing the following, but this has ONLY happened today within the last four hours:
Eating potting soil
Refusing water and food
compressing his body
Becoming very rigid
Losing grip
Displaying aggression
Hissing
Drooling eccessively
Acting disoriented
Someone, please give me some clue as to help my Cham!

OK, let's begin by looking at your list with a different perspective...might clarify something.

1. Eating potting soil: Is he REALLY trying to eat it or is he shooting at it? Sometimes chams will shoot their tongues at shiny objects thinking they are water droplets.

2. Refusing water and food: Extreme stress (such as being moved to a new home) will distract them so much they don't eat or drink. Or, you are offering water in a way he's not familiar with and doesn't recognize. See 1. above...is he trying to pick up "water" from the soil in desperation? A dehydrated cham won't eat either, but the feeders you are offering might not be what he's used to.

3. Compressing his body: Not sure what you mean, but chams will flatten themselves to appear larger (to threaten an intruder like you). Or, they will stretch themselves out along the back side of a branch to hide from view.

4. Becoming rigid: Again, not sure what you mean, but chams try to disappear from view by refusing to move...complete stillness helps them hide from threats. Holding a pose rigidly might simply be his way of hiding from you.

5. Losing grip: Is he letting himself fall from a perch deliberately? Some chams will let themselves drop to the ground to get away from a threat. If this isn't what he's doing there could well be something medically wrong.

6. Displaying aggression: Puffing up to appear larger, coiling and uncoiling his tail, gaping, lunging, hissing, are all signs of stress. He's trying to intimidate you or make you leave him alone. Very common in a newly moved cham. Some melleri are very aggressive and stressy!

7. Drooling a lot: Excess saliva can be a sign of a couple of things including extreme thirst (they produce strings of clear saliva as they are actively drinking that can even drip down from their chin). Or, a respiratory infection (as the sick cham opens its mouth to breathe you will notice a lot of sticky saliva buildup in its mouth).

8. Acting disoriented: In what way? Can't stay upright? Can't control legs or tail? Blind? What?

Maybe this will help you describe what you are seeing.