Chameleon shoots at food but no suction, knocks food instead

[FortheloveofPepe]

Please help, our 1 1/2 year old ambilobe panther chameleon has suddenly (last three days) developed a strange eating problem where he can shoot at his food successfully, but not latch on. Instead he just manages to knock it away. Otherwise he is behaving as normal, and taking water as usual - we first assumed he might be dehydrated, but that doesn't seem to be it.

I was wondering if anybody has any ideas as to what might cause this? Thank you.

 

[djfishygillz]

Fill out a "how to ask for help". It will help everyone determine what is going on easier. It's posted above the health clinic listing.

 

[nightanole]

This can some times be a vit B deficiency(weak end tongue muscle), or trauma to the tongue from a strain or miss. Normally its not dehydration, and its not soft bones if they are hitting the target (if the tongue bone gets soft it will pull to one side).

I would try screen feeding, so he has a backing to braise the tongue hit. It might give them enough time to pull the tongue tip muscle enough latch on. A cham tongue is not really sticky, its more of a bag that wraps around the food, and then they use a small muscle in the tip to pull the bag into its self. Kinda like when you fall into a swimming pool with the cover still on.

 

[Olimpia]

I have to ask an obvious question, so forgive me. But you're sure that your insects aren't so thickly dusted with supplements that the tongue can't get a good grasp?

 

[djfishygillz]

I have to ask an obvious question, so forgive me. But you're sure that your insects aren't so thickly dusted with supplements that the tongue can't get a good grasp?

It happens to ly chameleons when i dust