Panther hiding

[Bernie]

Hi all.

Recently my Panther has been hiding out in a little spot under the leaves of his plant.

He is 6months old and I have had him since he was 3 months old. He has always been very active during the day. But in recent weeks he has been retiring in the afternoon to his sleeping spot. He never sleeps during the day though.

He is still eating/drinking/poo'ing regularly.

He also recently started going down to the bottom of his plant and biting the big pebbles (which I recently started a thread on) - this has become a morning ritual. I have also noticed that he has just started to leave little sperm trails on the vines.

Since "lights on" this morning he hasnt moved from his little hide out once. His lights come on at 7.30 am and it is now 12:21 pm UK time.

I really have no idea whats wrong with him and I am starting to worry a little.

The only changes I have made to his viv recently are 1) putting an extra towl up to block his view from my other Cham as they were starting to view each other. And 2) I moved a couple of vines yesterday evening, but he hasnt yet even seen this change yet due to being below the plant leaves.

Here is a pic (not good quality due to phone). Any ideas?

I will fill in a "how to ask for help" form in my next post....

 

[Bernie]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Panther, Male, 6months. In my care for 3 months
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? A couple of times a week usually
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Medium sized brown crickets, he'll usually eat 6-8 a day normally, gotloading with fresh fruit&veg (will provide ingredients if necessary). Just started him on locusts & supers
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Plain calcium daily, Ca+D3 twice a month, multivitamins twice a month. Exoterra is the brand
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? I do see him drinking. he gets misted at least 3 times a day and has a dripper running at 2 periods during the day
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Recently tested for parasites - negative. Brown formed poo's and usually a white urate with a tad of yellow
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. Shedding/gorwing fine so far


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Reptibreeze XL (only using the top half, soon to extend the height with more vines etc)
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Zoo med reptisun tube 5.0, 12 on 12 off with basking lamp. UV tube with reflector
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Digi thermometer to measure temps. 82-84F in basking spot. 71F at the bottom, gradually getting warmer towards the basking spot
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? about 55% between mistings. 65-70% just after mistings. Measured with exo terra analogue gauge
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? One corn plant (at the moment)
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? Located in the living room. Quiet during most days. Cage raised by about 65cm from ground
Location - Where are you geographically located? UK


Current Problem - See above

 

[Audiboi08]

my boy does that all the time i think its normal animal behavior when youre hot and want to get out of the sun you go into the shade as well they arent going to bask all day and overheat. Maybe he just wants to hide LOL no real worries unless his eyes are sunken his colors arent coming out

 

[Bernie]

my boy does that all the time i think its normal animal behavior when youre hot and want to get out of the sun you go into the shade as well they arent going to bask all day and overheat. Maybe he just wants to hide LOL no real worries unless his eyes are sunken his colors arent coming out

Exactly my initial thoughts. He hasnt basked since yesterday morning though. Perhaps he is just being anti-social. Food and water on offer too, his loss.

 

[Audiboi08]

i started feeding mine every other day so hed stop being picky about it... Hes looking for food right now but the pet store isnt open yet.. but when i open the cage and put fresh bugs in he rushes towards them and will eat like 25 at once

 

[Audiboi08]

hows the weather in the UK right now are you experiencing a change in climate if its your firsat winter with a reptile you might have to monitor the temp a bit more perhaps a higher wattage basking light may be needed