What does this mean?

[Bossk the Furcifer]

I have a one and a half year old male panther names bossk. Lately every time I open his cage he rushes to my hand and crawls up my arm. His enclosure is decently sized. Basking log, two ficus trees, other small plants. He's been living his wax worms and crickets. But this just seems odd to me. Like he's eager to escape. When I try and put him back inside after letting him out, he will run up my arm to avoid me placing him back inside. Does he hate his home? Or maybe just like being held? I dont get it

 

[jannb]

He probably just enjoys not being caged.

Also your cage needs some decorating for when he has to be in there. What size is the cage?

 

[Remkon]

Your lights in the cage and your cham at risk if getting some nasty burns.

It's also better to put basking and uvb bulb close together since in nature they will also get their UVB when they bask so separating them just doesn't make sense.

 

[Bossk the Furcifer]

Should my light be outside the cage? This is news to me. And he's in the cage all day. I try not to handle,him unless I have to. Everywhere said I should avoid handling when possible. But my cage is 3'x3'x4'

 

[Bossk the Furcifer]

After thinking about what you guys had to say I will be removing the heat lamp from the cage and covered all the walls with ivy. Any other suggestions would be extremely welcomed

 

[Peachypink]

After thinking about what you guys had to say I will be removing the heat lamp from the cage and covered all the walls with ivy. Any other suggestions would be extremely welcomed

When you say removed it, you didn't take it away completely, right? He still needs a heat lamp and a UVB but placed on top of the screen not in it. With it inside they can get too close and get burned.

 

[Bossk the Furcifer]

No of course not. I understand now why it needs to be on the top of the cage instead of inside. Any other helpful advice?

 

[jpdorsey4]

Nice set up. he probably just likes being held. some Chameleons are like that

 

[jpdorsey4]

And ya don't put the lights in the cage he will get Bad burns.

 

[Remkon]

Nice set up. he probably just likes being held. some Chameleons are like that

Yea... that would actually be the last option I would consider.

Here's some reasons:
- Not enough paths so cham is bored and looks for new things to explore
- Not enough coverage so cham goes searching for a safer spot
- Cage to small (not the case here) so cham goes look for a bigger territory
- Maybe the UVB light hurts his eyes, he is in a spot that disturbs him for some other reason.
- Maybe the temperature is incorrect or it's not humid enough and forced to look for a better place that suit his needs.
- Even a mirror in your room could cause him to see himself which can cause him to want to abandon territory from the 'competition' and that would be a more likely cause than 'he just likes to be held'

 

[Bossk the Furcifer]

Thank you For that list! I'm going to work on giving him more paths. I think that's probably the case. Adding some ivy to the walls and some extra vines and hopefully that makes him happier.

 

[jpdorsey4]

these are some good ideas for what to get. pothos and Schefflera

 

[jpdorsey4]

Chams love them

 

[Peachypink]

No of course not. I understand now why it needs to be on the top of the cage instead of inside. Any other helpful advice?

I didn't really figure you took it away completely but honestly sometimes on here there would be the odd duck that would have and I had to check.

If you haven't already, Please look at and read through the care sheets under the resources tab. There is a ton of misinformation floating around out there. It would be best to double check what you are doing, these care sheets are the most accurate information you will find anywhere.