Why shooting tongue at glass doors?

[Davey2coops]

Hi all noticed yesterday that my 9 month old panther shot his at his glass door, there is nothing on the glass, no bugs and no marks or stains. I'm pretty sure there was no bugs in the enclosure at the time either so couldn't have been a reflection of a feeder in there! Anyone had this before and got any info on it cheers? I've done a search but not found anything.

 

[EvilLost]

generally, you should not be using glass enclosures.

some chameleons see their own reflection, believe it to be another chameleon in their environment (they don't recognize themselves) and then feel threatened that another chameleon has entered their zone and get defensive

 

[Solid Snake]

If your "glass" enclosure provides ventilation, its fine.
Chams will shoot their tongue for two reasons.
To get food.
To get water.
He most likely thought he saw some food, and went for it.
Reflection can be an issue, but glass doesnt create a reflection unless there is a dark background behind it.
If he is seeing something reflected and shooting at it, only to hit glass, this can injure the tongue.
If it happens again, look at the area around the enclosure. You may need to move dark things away. Covering the sides with foliage would also be a good idea, to cut down on reflections/seeing things on the glass he thinks he can eat.

 

[coldbloodedAL]

^^^ exactly. There is usually a reason behind it that is fixable. This is just another one of those things that gives glass a bad name here

 

[DekuScrub]

sounds like a simple mis identification. im assuming he with saw a part of his own anatomy moving and assumed it was a feeder. either that or some reflected light seemed similar to the refraction of light you see in a water droplet. so what it comes down to is he was probably just hungry or thirsty. if he keeps doing it... could be a problem. just keep an eye on him

 

[sdheli420]

basically glass sucks for chams over the "baby" age (ofcourse all IMHO) only beacuase i know some of you like glass, i find it pointless past 3 months and more of a pain anyway.. most likly seeing reflections and "testing it" to see if its food and or water, maybe even another cham..

 

[EvilLost]

Some climates have extreme enough weather to warrant using glass for temperature/humidity reasons, but I'd also PREFER screen for reasons like this. It won't kill them, but it will be a little added stress.