Panther almost drowned :(

[RedMountainHome]

One of my younger panthers was stuck in a container of water for somewhere up to 14 hours. I found it floating, luckily still alive, this morning. It seems to not be too much the worse for wear now, but I'm still worried for the little booger. Is there anything I should look out for, health wise, to make sure it's actually ok?

For some background, the chameleon's roughly 8 - 10 months old. I purchased it back in February as a runty "probably female", and while it's stayed small it's starting to look more like a male to me. It was stuck floating in a plastic container I use to serve it crickets that was somehow pushed under a misting nozzle. It's a small container and I'm amazed the chameleon couldn't get out on its own, but I've definitely learned that all containers MUST have drainage holes!

Here are a couple pics of the floater, a few hours post-floating. Sorry for the poor quality, it's VERY skittish since I handle my chams as little as possible. The metal squares are .5 inch for size reference.

 

[JacksJill]

I would watch him very carefully for signs of a respiratory infection in case he inhaled any of the water while he was immersed.

 

[Daesie11]

Now I'm no expert, but I have a hard time believing that is 8-10 months old considering my 4 month old is about the same size

 

[nightanole]

A few years ago, a free ranger on the forum, reaaaaaally wanted to get to the plant arrangement above the commode, and almost made it. It was not happy when found a few hours later.

 

[JoXie411]

This is why you never have open water in a chameleons cage, if you must a mess screen needs to be on top of the container to prevent this exact thing from happening

 

[JacksJill]

I believe this was a feeding cup without drainage.

 

[JoXie411]

I believe this was a feeding cup without drainage.

Dam feeder cups lol

 

[JacksJill]

I'd recommend a better feeder option but with the type of screen the Op is using it wouldn't work. He would have to cover the back of the feeder with aluminum screen.

 

[RedMountainHome]

Thanks, Jacksjill. I'll keep an eye out for signs of respiratory infection.

Daesie, I purchased that cham in late February with its sister. At the time the sister was only slightly larger but she kept growing normally, while the runt / diver just recently started putting on a bit of size. Here's a picture of the sister, then their two cages side by side. They're both in the upper left corner of their cages, so you can compare sizes pretty easily.

Also, cause he's so pretty, here are some pics of my "big" boy Toby. He's actually kind of a runt as well, fully grown at 8 inches long and about 4 years old. He looks kinda scrawny ATM cause he's gone on a hunger strike since his recent move to his outdoor summer-home. I put him near the female this afternoon to hopefully spark his appetite, and he certainly got fired up.

 

[RedMountainHome]

If anyone wants to take a swing at guessing the sex of the cham in question, I'd appreciate hearing your guess.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

If anyone wants to take a swing at guessing the sex of the cham in question, I'd appreciate hearing your guess.

Male is my guess. Looks to be a bulge after the cloaca.

 

[Daesie11]

Thanks, Jacksjill. I'll keep an eye out for signs of respiratory infection.

Daesie, I purchased that cham in late February with its sister. At the time the sister was only slightly larger but she kept growing normally, while the runt / diver just recently started putting on a bit of size. Here's a picture of the sister, then their two cages side by side. They're both in the upper left corner of their cages, so you can compare sizes pretty easily.

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View attachment 238139

Also, cause he's so pretty, here are some pics of my "big" boy Toby. He's actually kind of a runt as well, fully grown at 8 inches long and about 4 years old. He looks kinda scrawny ATM cause he's gone on a hunger strike since his recent move to his outdoor summer-home. I put him near the female this afternoon to hopefully spark his appetite, and he certainly got fired up.

View attachment 238140
View attachment 238141

Oh man they are beautiful!

 

[cloverthechameleon]

What locale is he/she looks male to me as well. I used to keep falys which are notorious for slow growth, i believe some locales grow faster then others. He is definitely a runt tho!

 

[RedMountainHome]

While I was hoping it would be a female, I also think it’s looking to be a male. That tail bump is getting rather large.

Thanks for the compliments I’m rather attached to the pretty little weirdos!

Oh, and they’re all ambilobe.

 

[Ireland Martin]

Can you send me a pic of the chameleons back feet.

 

[Ireland Martin]

She is a female she has no spurs on her back feet.

 

[JoXie411]

She is a female she has no spurs on her back feet.

That’s not how you sex panthers

 

[Ireland Martin]

Oh sorry I own 2 veild chameleons and I am 11 years old

 

[Ireland Martin]

I did not know that

 

[RedMountainHome]

Thanks for giving advice, anyway