Veiled Chameleon appears to have no tongue

[Cyrix]

My girlfriend just picked up a veiled Chameleon on sale at Petsmart. It appears that what the ****ers didn't tell her was he was on sale because he has no tongue; however, we have never owned a Chameleon before and don't know how to check this out easily.

We just got him a few days ago and she is handling him a bit too much so he does a lot of opening his mouth and hissing; when his mouth is open no tongue is visible. We've never seen him actively try to eat something and just now observed a cricket crawling over him while he ignored it.

My girlfriend noticed he wasn't eating and has been trying to hand feed him; what that essentially amounts to is dropping a superworm in his mouth when he's hissing. Sometimes he drops them, but sometimes he slowly chews and swallows them.

Does it sound likely he doesn't have a tongue? Would it be very obvious if he did? Could new owners with no reptile experience whatsoever realistically raise a veiled chameleon with no tongue or does he need expert care from a veteran owner?

I want to return him; I'm pissed at the Petsmart ******* and don't think we could safely raise such a chameleon; additionally the GF is having trouble giving him space as it is and there's really no way to avoid stressing him out if we have to jam food in his mouth.

Feel free to tell me one or both of us is an idiot and we're doing it all wrong, I just want to know whether the guy is actually maimed and how to get him the care he needs.

 

[kinyonga]

They can appear to have no tongue when you look in the mouth because it's stored in the gular pouch area. However that being said...he should be able to shoot it out to catch insects if he does have one....unless he has a problem with the tongue.

Problems with the tongue can include but are not limited to incorrect nutrient balance, infection, dehydration, etc.

 

[Chiichan]

Considering you JUST bought him, he probably won't eat anything YET.

All chams introduced to a new and unfamiliar place will be a bit stressed and will need some time to settle in.

Give him a couple days before you start freaking out about his tongue. Just make sure you mist, feed (and supplement), and provide water for him.

You also should fill out the "how to ask for help" form to provide as much detail as you can for other more experienced members to help.

Good luck.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Yeah, I would not hold him for 3-4 weeks. It can really stress them out and they will not eat. He needs time to settle in. I would just put the feeders in there and leave him alone. He may have a tongue, he is just too scared to use it.

 

[Ocelot357]

make sure she is t hadling him any more. Dont worry about him eating, they can go a whole week without eating. he will eat when he wants . Just make sure u got the dripper on all day, dripping on leafs where he can see it dripping. And the correct lighting,

 

[kinyonga]

Don't drop food in his mouth when he's hissing. He needs to bite it/chews it. Give him a chance to eat on his own. Leave a couple of insects in the cage for him to eat and see what happens.

 

[Psychobunny]

What is the store's return policy?

If they said he has no tongue, I would take them at their word.

Already been said, but all cham are very easily stressed, and this can be bad
for their general health as it compromises their immune system.

Don't handle him at all for a few weeks, he needs to slowly get used to you.

Watch him close though, you should see his tongue, if not, take him back
before its too late.

Can you post some pics of him with him mouth open?

 

[inlinefourpower]

When my guy opens his mouth to hiss I can't see his tongue. I'm with all the others, wait and see. Petsmart has a 14 day return policy and will accept this chameleon back if you don't think he's okay. In addition, they take all of their small animals and reptiles to the vet if they are sick.

 

[Psychobunny]

I suggest you just take him back to the store, get your money back, then buy a cham from one of our reputible sponsors.

If he is missing his tongue, it stands to reason he has other problems as well.

 

[waynek]

how old is this lizard ? what cage setup do you have ? these among other things are important and the correct set up for the lizard can help alleviate any stress he feels . a stressed chameleon likes to feel safe . having enough cover can help the animal through the acclimation to his new home .

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Any updates?