Spending a lot of time on the floor

[Cowboy232350]

I have a one year old male Panther chameleon and he has been spending a lot of time on the ground of his enclosure. It is 48 inches tall and 24 by 24 on the bottom. I am knew to keeping these guys and want to make sure this isn't anything serious. There are plenty of branches for him to climb on.

 

[jannb]

He could be exploring or he could have a health issue. Please post a few pictures of him and his enclosure and it would be very helpful if you would fill out the ask for help forum so we can see if there might be something in the way you are keeping him that could be making him stay low in the enclosure.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Cowboy232350]

Here is some pictures

 

[carol5208]

You need to make some changes! You need plants, either live or fake for cover. You need to get branches up near the top. He is hanging out at the bottom because he has nowhere else to go. The top 1/2 of the cage is way to bare. You need to get a branch and position it horizontally beneath his basking light so he can warm up and bask comfortably. About 7 inches down or so below the light. Please search our enclosure threads and it will give you some ideas on how to set up a cage properly. His eyes are sunk in and he does not look good. He is dehydrated.

 

[carol5208]

And are his eyes closed? If so, and it is daytime you have a problem. Please fill out the form as requested by JannB

 

[Cowboy232350]

He closes his eye anytime I walk up on him. I believe it is behavior not medical

 

[carol5208]

Hi eyes look sunken in. You have to change the cage. You should not have a light shining on the side. Two lights on the top, one uvb, one uva for basking. Plants, lots of them and branches so he can walk back and forth horizontally. Attach them with tacks or push pins on the outside of the screen. How are you providing water?? Like I said, please fill out the form.

 

[carol5208]

He looks very thin also. Can you post some more pictures that are brighter and clearer?

 

[Cowboy232350]

You know I asked for help, not for someone to jump down my throat.

 

[Cowboy232350]

How is having a third light a bad thing? Gives him an extra basking spot

 

[carol5208]

You know I asked for help, not for someone to jump down my throat.

I am trying to help you. You asked why he was hanging at the bottom and I gave you the answer why: because you do not have anywhere else for him to go at the top. If is eyes are sunken in, like I suspect, your chameleon is in trouble. He can go down hill very fast, believe me. How long has he been in your care??

 

[Action Jackson]

If you want your chameleon to live, follow the guidelines set forth in the Care Resources, including how to properly set up this cage.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[carol5208]

How is having a third light a bad thing? Gives him an extra basking spot

Well it is not natural for them to bask sideways. They bask from the sun up above and he might be able to get to close to it from what I can see and get burned. You can have an extra basking spot, but you should have it in a corner at the top shining down. I am just telling how most of us do with great success.

 

[Scoobthenoob]

And we are trying to help..

Which would you prefer, the realists approach dealing in the harsh confines of reality, and telling you exactly what is wrong..

Or the disillusion fluffy namby pamby approach?

It is in my opinion, and yet you should take from Jannb who is an "expert" with a blog https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/325-info-new-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html, and experience.

The enclosure needs higher perches, one perch about 7"/17.5cm from the UVB source, another about 12"/30cm from the UVB source, and a basking area within easy reach of the UVB source.


An example

Notice anything different?


Also you should inmho have live "safe" plants including climbers/vines I can provide a list of known safe plants on request.

But the experts need more information hence asking you to fill in https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/ and posting here.

Or copy this to notepad

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.

And post it all back to this thread



And if you want more examples instead of people jumping down your throat have a good look here.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/official-enclosure-picture-thread-2-post-your-pics-94781/

Nobody wants to upset you, all we want is what is absolutely critical to your chameleon.

 

[xraygirl]

No one is trying to jump down your throat, we love chameleons and get extremely concerned when something is going on with one that could end up killing them. Chameleons are our babies We only want whats best for them, the folks here will give you advice and follow it closely.... the senior folks (saying that as the folks who have been breeding/raising chams for many many years now) will never lead you wrong.