Panther Gaping at Basking Spot

[newcham123]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - 5 month old panther chameleon
• Handling - Daily to every other day
• Feeding - Dusted crickets (gutloaded; daily), superworms (1-2x/week), BSFL (daily), adult black soldier flies (only recently)
• Supplements - RepCal calcium w/out vitamin D3 daily. RepCal with vitamin D3 once weekly. RepCal multivitamin once every other week
• Watering - Automatic mister set to go off every 2 hours. Do not observe him drinking, but his urates are white.
• Fecal Description - Daily to every other day, firm/good consistency. Urates are white.
• History - Owned for 2 months.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - 18x18x36 screen cage
• Lighting - 12 hours on 12 hours off. For UVB we use a reptisun 5.0, and for heat we have a 75w basking bulb on a dimmer
• Temperature - 75-80 at basking spot, cooler lower. Measured via IR thermometer
• Humidity - Humidity 50-70. Measured with three hygrometers (2 analog, 1 digital).
• Plants - 2 pothos
• Placement - On a desk in a low traffic area
• Location - East Coast, USA

Current Problem - Panther chameleon is otherwise really healthy. Growing quickly, eats ravenously, active, etc... Recently, I've noticed that occasionally while he's in his basking spot he will just have his mouth open. I was concerned that this was related to heat, but the basking temp at the time was 72 (it drops after misting). He also has the option to move lower in the cage to cool off, but instead just sits there gaping. Thoughts?

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

It could be that she is just letting out a bit of heat, territorial defense, or it could be an upper respiratory infection. How long does he gape at a time? Is it for a few seconds, or constantly?

 

[newcham123]

Maybe a minute or so at a time, then he'll close his mouth and open it a bit later. Respiratory infection is what I was worried about. Any other indicators? He seems really healthy otherwise.

 

[Crashbandit05]

Sounds like thermoregulation. If you can, post a picture of him in the act.

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

Yes, the picture would be beneficial. I know that chameleons thermoregulate under most basking temperatures, and they do it because they want to cool off a bit. Sounds normal, but I agree that you should post a picture if you can.

 

[newcham123]

Every time I try to get close he closes his mouth! I have a (very poor quality, through the screen) picture here. I can try to get another (it's night time for him now). Thank you guys so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

 

[newcham123]

(Here's a picture of him from a few days ago, only because I can't resist showing his beautiful self off)

 

[newcham123]

If it makes a difference, it seems to only occur in the later part of the day