Odd Cham Behavior??

[Mariekey29]

I've notice my baby veiled yawning a lot lately. Do chams yawn? He only does it when he's sitting still, mostly when he's basking. He's just opening is mouth (sometimes leaving it open for a bit) and then kinda stretches afterward. It looks just like he's yawning. Or maybe gagging? Is it anything I should be concerned about or is it normal?

 

[Mikesyring]

I'll let others chime in but my Panther does it just before he's going to shed so than its normal chams will also do it if temps are to hot to cool down and another reason could be respitiry infection but he would do it all the time and u would hear popping noises

 

[Mariekey29]

I'll let others chime in but my Panther does it just before he's going to shed so than its normal chams will also do it if temps are to hot to cool down and another reason could be respitiry infection but he would do it all the time and u would hear popping noises

He's not doing it all the time and I don't hear any noises. I've only noticed him doing it a couple times, mostly in the mornings.

 

[Mikesyring]

I problem won't worry about it pretty normal to me

 

[brownie64]

Yes I would agree if his not doing it all the time, and the basking area isn't too hot there is nothing to worry about mine do this from time to time.

 

[alphakenc]

@Mariekey29 here is some good explanation quoted by our very own Miss Harry Potter,that will explain the "yawning" better
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/behaviour-question.146853/

 

[Mariekey29]

Ok. Thanks! His basking spot stays around 85-87 then I have a branch under it that stays around 70 and his ambient is about 66 at the bottom of the cage (which he never goes to). I've only had him 6 days and he's finally starting to get used to everything then he starts this so I wasn't sure. I'm thinking he may be getting ready to shed. He's been rubbing is eyes on his branches some and he has a white spot on his head.

 

[alphakenc]

I would suggest increase your lukewarm water misting schedule,if you see his skin turn into a pale white shedding color,that mean he is ready for his brand new coat and getting bigger

 

[Mariekey29]

I would suggest increase your lukewarm water misting schedule,if you see his skin turn into a pale white shedding color,that mean he is ready for his brand new coat and getting bigger

I have an auto misting system going for 60 sec every hour right now and I'm hand misting some. I can't seem to keep the humidity up though. It's staying around 40% and I'm afraid it's not high enough for his to shed properly.

 

[brownie64]

Does it stay right at 40% or does it jump up to 70% right after misting, and drop to 40% after drying out. because if that is the case that is close to ideal. I think with that much misting your humidity should be fine especially if you have real plants. If not you could always wrap the sides with a shower curtain.

 

[alphakenc]

@Mariekey29 Try the shower method,I do sometime take my shedding cham to shower with me before I put soap on myself and leave them back in their cage,the water usually splashed on my big back and sprinkle on them,if u are too shy to shower with him,u can try him by himself

 

[Mariekey29]

Does it stay right at 40% or does it jump up to 70% right after misting, and drop to 40% after drying out. because if that is the case that is close to ideal. I think with that much misting your humidity should be fine especially if you have real plants. If not you could always wrap the sides with a shower curtain.

It's never been that high. It just misted like 2 mins ago and it's barely at 40% right now. I have 2 large golden pothos and 2 small ones on the floor of his cage right now. The smaller ones I plan to hang. Everything else is fake until the pothos starts to take over.

 

[brownie64]

What are you using to measure the humidity, and are you sure it is correct?
If so then like I said the shower curtain would be my next recommendation.

 

[Mariekey29]

I'm using an Exo Terra dial hygrometer in the back of his cage about 6 inches down. No, I'm not 100% it's correct. It's the only thing I've had in there since I set it up. Any recommendations on something they may work better?

 

[brownie64]

If it is a analog I would definitely switch it out for a digital. And put it near the middle of the enclosure. If it is close to your basking light it will read low humidity because of the lights.

 

[alphakenc]

Try the Vivarium electronic TH-100 thermometer/hygrometer I get pretty good reading results on these

 

[brownie64]

Here is what I did to control my humidity. I bought a humidity controller, and hooked it up to a cool mist humidifier that I piped directly into the enclosure. It comes on when it drops to 65%, and goes back off at 75%. I have a Jacksons chameleon that's why my humidity is higher than what I suggested for you. Here is a pic of the controller I got it for about $20 on e-bay.

 

[alphakenc]

Mine is little sexier and thinner it comes in with 2 different colors

white or black,so u can match with the color of ur room surrounding,u can pick that up for 8.00us dollars thats less than a cup of coffee a day

 

[Mariekey29]

Awesome! Thanks guys. I'll definitely pick a digital one.

 

[alphakenc]

Awesome! Thanks guys. I'll definitely pick a digital one.

Pleasure will be all mine,I do watch alot of "price is right" and "dating game"