Strange Noise...

[Surferchick]

Hey everyone! I am new here as well as being a new chameleon owner. It has been very stressful as i am trying to gather as much information as possible. I just got my young veiled chameleon this last Sunday ( 4-23-17). His name is Cammy. He is super adorable and he has his cute moments. Of course it has been new for him adjusting to the new environment. He is better as far as getting acclimated to his surroundings but I have noticed that hes been making this strange sound. Some days he seems better than others. As being a new owner, i am really not too sure what to look out for. I have been reading and looking up some answers on this forum which have been great and very helpful. If you could please take a look at the video and tell me what you may think it is.. is it cough, hissing, or perhaps hes just very stressed out at times so he makes that sound. I am hoping that he does not have a URI as i just got him. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. Thank you so much.

 

[inkdguy35]

he's telling you to get the camera out of his face and leave him alone. on top of being afraid of everything to begin with and in a new place. they really don't like hands and cameras in their home and face.

 

[Surferchick]

@inkdguy35 I understand they do not like to be held or have any contact and just be left alone but i have seen him do this several times and hear him when im not even around the cage. Having a visual/audio is a lot better than me trying to describe and could be so many variables.

 

[BlueSky]

The hiss along with the puff sounds like he's just startled by something...not sure what it could be though. I would say to give him another week or so of adjusting to his new environment, and if it persists, he may have some physical discomfort going on.

 

[Graves923]

Could be nervous because of the new surroundings and the camera or that knock right before hand scared him enough to hiss and puff out its chin. If you are saying he is doing this when no one is near his cage there could be something more going on.

I would fill out the help form so we can make sure everything is up to par husbandry wise.

 

[Surferchick]

*Update* Hes doing much better everyone. Thank you for your input. I got him the Reptirain automatic misting system (https://www.lllreptile.com/products/21035-zoo-med-reptirain-automatic-misting-machine) and that seems to help since i don't have to keep manually spraying him. He actually enjoys it. Every time the mister comes on he runs over to it.. so cute! He is displaying green / bright colors

 

[jajeanpierre]

*Update* Hes doing much better everyone. Thank you for your input. I got him the Reptirain automatic misting system (https://www.lllreptile.com/products/21035-zoo-med-reptirain-automatic-misting-machine) and that seems to help since i don't have to keep manually spraying him. He actually enjoys it. Every time the mister comes on he runs over to it.. so cute! He is displaying green / bright colors

It sounds like you might need to increase the misting times and or frequency if he is actually seeking out the mist.

 

[Surferchick]

@jajeanpierre You are right about this. I was actually looking at his fecal matter and it was a tad yellow/orange. Now his fecal matter is white. Once i got this thing up and running and just mist a good minute or so in his cage allowing him to get to the leaves and most importantly feeling comfortable, hes able to drink. I think in combination.. new surroundings and me spraying got him stressed so he wont eat or drink. Do you have a good recommendation how many hours (intervals) and duration i should be doing for him? Also, this is very difficult to keep humidity up since i have a screen cage for him. As soon as I mist him for a good minute or so. It slowly evaporates. I live in the desert area (CA) which can be dry and hot during the day and cold at night.

 

[jajeanpierre]

@jajeanpierre You are right about this. I was actually looking at his fecal matter and it was a tad yellow/orange. Now his fecal matter is white. Once i got this thing up and running and just mist a good minute or so in his cage allowing him to get to the leaves and most importantly feeling comfortable, hes able to drink. I think in combination.. new surroundings and me spraying got him stressed so he wont eat or drink. Do you have a good recommendation how many hours (intervals) and duration i should be doing for him? Also, this is very difficult to keep humidity up since i have a screen cage for him. As soon as I mist him for a good minute or so. It slowly evaporates. I live in the desert area (CA) which can be dry and hot during the day and cold at night.

Just mist more often. Live plants. Walling in three sides to retain humidity. I live in an area that can get temps over 100F with a bone-dry wind. I sometimes will run my misters a couple of times at night. You only need to run them for 10 or 15 seconds to just dampen everything. I like three long sessions of misting plus short bursts spaced throughout the day. Most people keep their rain forest chameleons in desert conditions, partly because they will not spend the $130 for an automatic mister and partly because they just don't understand how humid these animals need it. Unless you've lived in the tropics, you likely have never experienced really humid conditions. Visiting a tropical island during the dry season is not the same.

 

[Surferchick]

Thanks for the tip. Also, is it recommended to get a fogger as well? Or will the Reptirain misting be enough? I was also thinking of getting shower curtain to put inside his cage just on a couple sides to hopefully keep the moisture in. Just want to make sure hes well hydrated and has the proper care he deserves