Why do males puff throat pouch?
- Thread starter jacksonchamnew
- Start date
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
They puff out their gular to make themselves look bigger. It's a defensive body gesture. He's saying: get back! You don't wanna mess with me!
This page is helpful for learning how to observe and interpret chameleon behavior: https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-behavior/
This page is helpful for learning how to observe and interpret chameleon behavior: https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-behavior/
jacksonchamnew
Avid Member
That is really good. Thanks
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sure thing! Bill's website has a ton of great info...the other sections and his podcast are just as great, too.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Isn't it called a gular sac or pouch? Bearded dragons have both gular fringe (beard) that they puff out (and turns black) defensively and as a mating display, and a gular pouch below that, that they seem to temporarily store bugs in before finally swallowing.
However, they can also display their beard at other inexplicable times. Ol' Stinkeye does it every morning during his morning bask & stretch. Practice?
I bring this up because I wonder if there might be similar non-threatening reasons chameleons might do it too(?)
NashansCamos
Chameleon Enthusiast
they also do it when basking. they do it when they're angry or basking
NashansCamos
Chameleon Enthusiast
yeah all three of my chams puff up they look like round solar panels lol they bask on my hand or a free range tree
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
I bet they are really content in those moments.
NashansCamos
Chameleon Enthusiast
yeah luck for me they are always content lol Whenever i see a thread "help my cham is aggresive" "help my cham bit me" I feel blessed to have 3 friendly chams lol. I have 1 veiled and apparently i'm very lucky to have a friendly veiled.
jacksonchamnew
Avid Member
Mine is getting less aggressive. Has been out of cage and climbed on arm, back and head. Still have fingers and ears.
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm happy for yah. My vieled is a grumpy tree velociraptor. He likes my boyfriend more than me (and I feed him). He recently took a hornworm from me that I held out away from myself with tongs, which is progress for us. I would love to take him outside. I'm in Florida and I know he'd love the sun and buggos that fly around out here.
Slow and steady!
NashansCamos
Chameleon Enthusiast
Taking them out for sunlight is a great way to bond. If you get him out of his cage and in to your hand I would recommend taking him outside.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Is there that much surface area, and at the right optimum angle? ?
Do they "pancake" as well, like some other lizards?
How about (puffing up) when hanging vertically or upside down?
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
Is there that much surface area, and at the right optimum angle? ?
Do they "pancake" as well, like some other lizards?
How about (puffing up) when hanging vertically or upside down?
I've definitely seen my Vieled flatten (pancake?) when basking. Not when hanging or upside down though.
Pickle-cham
Chameleon Enthusiast
The unofficial term is giving you a "Pickle-chin" ??
Dont think its just males that do it either
Dont think its just males that do it either
bbyoda
Chameleon Enthusiast
Is that somehow related to your name???
Pickle-cham
Chameleon Enthusiast
It been my knickname since childhood, but when people referred to the act of giving me a "pickle-chin" thought they was taking the Mick (British humour can be very indirect and subtle as you have discovered)
But i soon realized it is a reference to the op question what is my chameleon doing with his chin. Quite like it im always giving people the pickle chin ??
My baby female (16weeks 9 grammes)does it after swallowing locusts when i watch her, might be she feels vulnerable while trying to swallow & is threatening me. But thought it was tongue adjustment and resetting as well as getting the legs& wings from it off stuck too it possibly
