Hunting with mouth open?

GIN

New Member
Just a Newby question, do chameleons hunt with their mouths open? My little guy seems to do just this mostly in the morning, after I put crickets in with him. He is also getting his daily dose of sun during this time, I take him out in his tank but open it up...guess I want to double check and make sure he is not getting too hot or something.
 
Hopefully this pic isn't too bad, you should see him doing it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1858.jpg
    IMG_1858.jpg
    207.6 KB · Views: 225
I hope you are not keeping him in a glass enclosure outside
glass can overheat very quickly and reatains the heat as well

if he is in a glass tank you have to get him out of there asap
 
opening his mouth in braod terms means he is venting (releasing hot air) to cool down thus suggesting that he is too hot.

If you have him in a glas tank then remove him at once!!! :)
 
Also if you have a glass enclosure and take it out side
uvb doesnt pass thru glass so hes barely getting any with just the top opened up unless the sun is directly above the enclosure
 
I live in TX and have been taking him out at 10-11 am, yes he has a front and top vented glass enclosure but i open the front and top and he will hang out outside of it... I should probably let him out earlier in the morning it has been getting to the 100s lately!
 
Under no circumstances should you put an animal outside in the sun in a glass enclosure. You are going to cook him. Do you like sitting in a car outside on a warm day with nothing more than a window open? Stop taking him outside in a glass enclosure.

Chris
 
It's too hot for him outside in that glass enclosure. It multiplies the heat. You should get a screen cage for him outside if you plan on continuing to leave him outside. That or you can free range him on a small plant or tree you are able to keep track of him in.
 
Like I said before, two sides open and he usually climbs out and adventures to the airplane plant that is on the table beside it. Either way, I have to decided to change the routine and take him out a couple of hours earlier and just put him on the airplane plant. I have also noticed on the other mornings when I have him inside under the uva uvb bulb (which does not emit much heat) he still will hang around right after I feed him with his mouth open, sometimes hanging upside down. Some of you could pay a little more attention to detail and not be so quick to judge, I have only had him for 4 days and have done tons of research!! I am here because I am reaching out for help though and that should go to prove how much I care! Thank-you to all of you for even taking the time to read my posts and answer my questions!
 
I honestly couldnt think of why he would be doing that.
Unless he was too hot
How hot is it in his cage (inside)
How do you measure the temps in his cage?
Also, dont be alarmed but my little fuego opens her mouth alot because shes currently battling a nasty URI (that I did not give her i assure you). She always has her head held up high with her mouth open because she breathes better that way.
Does your chams breathing sound weird?Like crackly?Even just sometimes?
How are you supplementing? Do you dust heavy with calcium?
 
It doesn't sound like you have done "tons of research". Having your cham in a glass cage outside and all. Build him this cheap little outdoor cage and put a plant in it and mist him while he's in the sun every now and then. I and probably most people on this site recognized your problem in seconds due to the glass glare in your pic and the symptoms. You should fill out the form on how to ask for help so you wont end up killing your cham.

Here's the link:
http://www.reptilechannel.com/lizards/lizard-care/building-lizard-cage.aspx
 
He dosen't do it alot only after being fed inside and out. Day temp inside is 80-85 and night is 70-75... and i still have not had him outside ever for more than 10 min or so because I haven't had much time and I am paranoid about all of the bugs out here in the country (most of which are way too big for him)! Never heard him make noise when breathing although he has Hissed/squeaked at me once when I got my phone too close to take a pic! LOL Yes dusting with calcium everyday Flukers brand and giving him reptivite vitaman dust once a week...(Mind you I have only owned him for 4 days!) Guess I still need time to learn his personality!
 
It doesn't sound like you have done "tons of research". Having your cham in a glass cage outside and all. Build him this cheap little outdoor cage and put a plant in it and mist him while he's in the sun every now and then. I and probably most people on this site recognized your problem in seconds due to the glass glare in your pic and the symptoms. You should fill out the form on how to ask for help so you wont end up killing your cham.

You totally come across as being rude and condesending!!! If you would look at the pics it is a front and top vented enclosure which i take the screen off of the top and open the front glass door.....ect which I have already posted!He is very small and I didn't have a better idea...my next move is to build my own screen Enclosure and I will have that done in the next couple of months.
 
It doesn't sound like you have done "tons of research". Having your cham in a glass cage outside and all. Build him this cheap little outdoor cage and put a plant in it and mist him while he's in the sun every now and then. I and probably most people on this site recognized your problem in seconds due to the glass glare in your pic and the symptoms. You should fill out the form on how to ask for help so you wont end up killing your cham.

Here's the link:
http://www.reptilechannel.com/lizards/lizard-care/building-lizard-cage.aspx

Good advice, I do not think he was being rude at all. You should follow the advice given by the others or get rid of your cham. It is very easy to properly care for a cham and we are only trying to get you on the right path.
 
Hmmm thats odd the temps are fine.
How are you montering the temps?
Do you use a digital themometer or a standard one thats made of plastic with a little dial?

Oh and normally I don't step into these "arguments" BUT I feel that we have ALL acknowledged his mistake (him included im sure), Seriously five people have pointed out only one really needed to, and we should all just TALK, not argue, on how he should fix it and dont say rude things or put him down.
We dont need to attack people on here

Hes already made DIY screen eclosure threads so obviously he is concerned and going to fix it so enough with the criticizing guys.
 
I just don't feel as if people are getting the details i have provided and actually hearing me out!! I have followed the advice given and am here for it! READ ALL THAT I HAVE POSTED!
 
Back
Top Bottom