Bent Casque
- Thread starter MandaRyan
- Start date
MandaRyan
New Member
Maybe he doesn't get close enough to his basking spot? omg I'm getting paranoid now lol. Ok so, Syn...you're in AZ and I'm in AZ...could it be SOMETHING to do with the weather...possibly...maybe? I'm at a loss. Like you said...my cham looks perfectly healthy as well other than this.
Ryan Jarosek
New Member
I would not think its a basking spot problem. I would say a UVB light problem if it were the lights.
MandaRyan
New Member
reptisun 5.0 we got it about 8 months ago and to our knowledge it's working fine...so I dunno... And I understand the casque could be a sign of MBD I'm not ruling it totally out I just don't get why everything else seems ok. Please don't get me wrong in my typing Ryan, I REALLY appreciate all your feedback and questions.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Maybe this older thread will help
https://www.chameleonforums.com/male-veiled-casque-deformities-23597/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/male-veiled-casque-deformities-23597/
MandaRyan
New Member
Ryan Jarosek
New Member
Yes, I beleive it can ... It has to start somewhere. I am in no way saying its MBD I just don't want to rule it out, but I think it is possible. The casque is a bone. I am sure other things can cause it ... but a bent bone can be a sign of MBD
8 months is a little old but still may be fine. I replace mine every 6 months. It may be a good place to start. more of a CYA thing.
I completely understand where you are coming from. What I have learned is you just can rule anything out. I have seen seemingly perfectly healthy animals take a turn for the worse. I am just being cautious
I have no idea what it could be just doing a little detective work to see. I really don't know what the problem is I am just
jojackson
New Member
I wouldnt like to Guess, certainly not without a clear photo and lots of background info, But I imagine Most folks first thoughts would be possible MBD.
That said, I do have a theory/question of my own about veiled casques.
We know the casque is a bony part of the skull, but how much is known about bone developement (skull in particular) in young chams?
With some animals, bones of the skull dont develope as fast as the rest of the skeleton,
as the animal grows toward adulthood, the skull bones become more solid/dense/strong.
By adulthood, the skull is pretty much solid.
Consider the skull of a baby Human, there is a soft spot that strengthens and hardens as the baby grows.
My theory is that even in a healthy young chameleon with no MBD or other deficiency,
The casque part of the skull may still be undeveloped, that is, its there, but not as strong and solid as other bones.
Over time, perhaps from normal pressures (ie dont they love to push their way through dense branches (and under them) may exert forces on the developing casque, causing it to grow deformed. ?
Note: The shells of freshwater turtles exibit these same characteristics. Tiny turtles held incorrectly (by the edges of the shell) sometimes end up with a wonkly shell around the edge . (carapace).
Just a few thoughts! I have recently moved mine to a new cage, much less densly planted (branches) than the last. In his last he was always pushing between branches with his casque and I was concerned about damage.
Best wishes with your cham.
That said, I do have a theory/question of my own about veiled casques.
We know the casque is a bony part of the skull, but how much is known about bone developement (skull in particular) in young chams?
With some animals, bones of the skull dont develope as fast as the rest of the skeleton,
as the animal grows toward adulthood, the skull bones become more solid/dense/strong.
By adulthood, the skull is pretty much solid.
Consider the skull of a baby Human, there is a soft spot that strengthens and hardens as the baby grows.
My theory is that even in a healthy young chameleon with no MBD or other deficiency,
The casque part of the skull may still be undeveloped, that is, its there, but not as strong and solid as other bones.
Over time, perhaps from normal pressures (ie dont they love to push their way through dense branches (and under them) may exert forces on the developing casque, causing it to grow deformed. ?
Note: The shells of freshwater turtles exibit these same characteristics. Tiny turtles held incorrectly (by the edges of the shell) sometimes end up with a wonkly shell around the edge . (carapace).
Just a few thoughts! I have recently moved mine to a new cage, much less densly planted (branches) than the last. In his last he was always pushing between branches with his casque and I was concerned about damage.
Best wishes with your cham.
Titan
New Member
Ok, I'm gonna go out there on possibilities as JoJackson has.? Good possibility of pushing against things and possibly deforming a growing casque?? Very plausible considering we have been told the Cham appears in excellent health otherwise.?
Lastly, and this has possibly nothing to do with this, but it may realate? For Americans that have seen Shamoo the Killer Whale, why is his dorsal fin bent???? I have seen true Great Killer Whales while living in Alaska, and never seen a wild one with a bent fin???
So a Cham pushing against the screen top of a cage or such trying to get nearer its light could make some sence?
Lastly, and this has possibly nothing to do with this, but it may realate? For Americans that have seen Shamoo the Killer Whale, why is his dorsal fin bent???? I have seen true Great Killer Whales while living in Alaska, and never seen a wild one with a bent fin???
So a Cham pushing against the screen top of a cage or such trying to get nearer its light could make some sence?
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chameleon guy
New Member
He's beautiful. The casque doesn't look that bad but you might want a visit to the vet.
SYeretzian
New Member
after looking at the pictures it looks normal to me. My veiled has a bend almost exaxtly like this one. He was found wild outside in CA and before that im sure he had a owner. So I didnt see him grow with his bent casque, but as far as health he is healthy as can be. I think your guy looks great.
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