Yawning

[Bernie]

Does this happen only in the morning? Or can it be seen any time during the day?

I have caught my 5month old male Panther doing it more often recently. Midday and afternoon included. I am only seeing it a few times a day.

It usually starts with the chin puffing out, then a big wide mouth stretch and a quick body twist at the end.

His eating/poo is fine. Parasite free as I did a faecal about 2 weeks ago.

URI is unlikely. His mouth has no excess saliva and no sounds from him when breathing.

His tongue is fine, eating/drinking with it daily.

I also don't think it's him thermoregulating either - this is usually a gape and the mouth stays open. Plus him temps are fine.

His basking is 82-85. Misted at least 3/4 times a day and has a dripper. Humidity is usually about 55-60. It hits about 70+ when misted and drops to around 40 when at it's dry point.

His enclousure is all screen.

Am I worrying for no reason?

 

[chino]

I think he'll be fine...

 

[icegecko]

He's just stretching. Mine does that too. They also do it when shedding to remove skin.

 

[PascalsMama]

My veiled did that too, I was wondering the same thing as you.

 

[Jamelon]

definetly getting ready for a shed, mine did that all the time just before she shed. Add a couple more mistings to help out with shedding

 

[Bernie]

definetly getting ready for a shed, mine did that all the time just before she shed. Add a couple more mistings to help out with shedding

He only shed recently though - not sure he would do this again so soon. When he is shedding I have seen him do this but a lot more aggressively. Same with my Yemen.

 

[moviemanmania]

My panthers will do the same exact behavior about 3xs a week. It is usually followed soon after by a big poop. LOL

 

[seanUTD]

To the OP it is normal for it to do that in the morning, I'm sire it is probably the SAME response that all creatures give in the morning lol... But if it is happening a lot during the day it could have something to do with temperatures as they also vent or "yawn" when it becomes too hot for them... Here in Texas its how I know my chams can't be outside any longer... They will vent the heat which shows they are OVER heating... How often is your guy doing it... If you also hear a crackling or bubbles come out, he could be gaping due to an RI... Many different reasons for the famed "yawn"

EDIT: He could really just be yawning but if your seeing it more frequently through more than just the morning I would try to keep an eye on it... How are you measuring your temps? And it also depends on not JUST how hot it is under the basking but how LONG he is staying under...

 

[icegecko]

If his mouth is just open, then he's overheating. If he's really stretching out his mouth (there's a huge visual difference), then he's just stretching out his jaw muscles. You said he does a little shake etc when yawning - that's what mine does. If your environmentals are all good and he's healthy, then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Bernie]

If his mouth is just open, then he's overheating. If he's really stretching out his mouth (there's a huge visual difference), then he's just stretching out his jaw muscles.

It is definitely not a gape.

 

[icegecko]

So it lasts for a second or two and his mouth is stretched open? Then I wouldn't worry about it. If you know what your cham looks like when he's too hot and this is not that, then don't worry.

 

[Bernie]

Thanks for all contributions.

I am pretty sure this is just a stretch and is nothing to worry about after reading the replies. My main concern was that there could be something I hadnt thought of.

Obviously if the scenario gets any worse then theres something wrong but for now i'll stop worrying.

 

[icegecko]

Sounds like a plan