Chameleon randomly on cage floor

[chameliojacksoni]

Hi so basically I've noticed lately that Norman my Jackson has been on the bottom of his cage randomly through out the day. I have done research And from what I've read I'm beginning to understand that it's not normal behavior. I believe Norman is a boy as he has three horns so I don't think he/she is trying to lay eggs. But he also doesn't seem like he's got vertigo as he climbs around his branches fine most of the time but sometimes he does fall but from what I've read that's normal chameleon behavior could someone shed some light on this

 

[jrath]

I wouldn't worry too much about him being on the bottom of the cage from time to time. My Jackson's will go to the bottom of the cage a few times a day, mostly in the morning when he is hunting for crickets and making his rounds around the cage.
As far as the falling, I wouldn't say that is normal. Chameleons are pretty sure footed and in my experience it's pretty rare for them to fall. The only time they might fall is if a branch or vine is not sturdy enough and gives way when they put their weight on it.
Post a picture of him so we can see if there might be anything noticeable wrong.

 

[Lathis]

Jax are live bearing, so they don't lay eggs. Even if he were female, that's one less thing to worry about.

My Jax also goes to the bottom of the cage several times a day. He knows where the crickets hide... I don't feel like that is necessarily something to be concerned about unless he is sitting or laying on the bottom.

But I would be worried about the falling. My Jax has never fallen. I don't feel like that is normal behavior if it happens more than once. Keep an eye on that issue. If it continues, he might have some nutritional issues or an illness.

 

[chameliojacksoni]

That wa yesterday he doesn't fall daily but I have noticed it randomly but when he does it he just walks right back up his vines. I give him a multivitamin Dusting 2x a week and also I put a different vitamin that's a liquid in his dripper once a week. Hopefully he's not sick.

 

[chameliojacksoni]

Srry it wouldn't let me upload more than one photo

 

[FlChamMom]

From those two pics he looks healthy. You may want to check where he fell to. I had a cham who was determined to climd the two branches thay were farther apart. I had to add more pathways to prevent him from busting his little behind..

 

[chameliojacksoni]

Ok will do I have some of those magnetic branches coming from jay sick so I'll add some aide that defiantly makes sense thank you for all the input this really is such a great community

 

[Lathis]

I think your supplementation might be off. That might affect his grip strength.



He should get plain calcium (no vitamins, no phosphorus, no D3) several times a week. The multivitamin should only be given once a month. If the multivitamin has D3, then you're fine - if not, you need calcium with D3 to also give him once a month. I wouldn't put anything in his water; he doesn't need it.



Jax are sensitive to supplements and can "overdose" easily. Using the multivitamin several times a week is definitely way too much.



He's gorgeous, too. Nice looking horns! Jax are just the coolest.

 

[FlChamMom]

Lathis is absolutely right... I don't know the right supplement schedules for Jax- I have never owned one but for chameleons in general it is usually 2x a month. I know how it is though, you want to make sure they are getting everything!

 

[chameliojacksoni]

Ya the multivitamin has d3 and calcium and stuff but I'll switch my schedule then chameleons are so much different then all my other reptiles but he is defiantly my favorite out of all my cold blooded friends. I love his goofy little lips in this picture lol. Thanks for the input guys

 

[camimom]

Nobody asked this question, but what is your basking temp and how big is your cage?

 

[Lathis]

Nobody asked this question, but what is your basking temp and how big is your cage?

Those are really good questions to consider. I have found that my Jax needs A LOT of space. He is quite the wanderer and will sit at the door begging to come out in the mornings. I built him a 6ft by 3ft by 2ft cage and he seems much happier with that amount of space vs the old 4x4x2 he had.



Jax also like a little but cooler temperatures. I keep it about 73*F ambient and 85*F at the basking spot. That seems to be Ferdinand's sweet spot, temperature wise. If your little guy is too hot, he may be hanging out at the bottom to stay cool.




There is a form called "How to Ask for Help" that details out all the particulars of your husbandry. You might fill that out and we can help you work through it.



Also, we want more photos!