chameleon walking backwards?

[kamilthechameleon]

hello. i have a veiled chameleon about 3 to 4 months old. hes been doing fine but there is something realy wierd about him. whenever he walks on my hand he likes to move backwards.this doesnt happen normaly but just sometimes. he only does it for a minute and then walks normaly again. i was just wondering if this is normal. he is a male. thanks.

 

[Vmag86]

It's possible that he is getting nervous and is the reason why he walks backwards. Does he do it in his cage when he is by himself?

 

[kamilthechameleon]

no hes normal in his cage

 

[Olimpia]

Is he sort of rocking back and forth? If so this is called the "leaf walk" and is something that young chameleons do to avoid being detected. It would work wonders outside in a gentle breeze but in an indoor cage it just looks kind of obvious.

 

[Decadancin]

I would also suggest something may have him uncomfortable. My boy will do this when he doesn't want to come out, but not at other times. He may be unsure of the situation and then decides its O.K.

 

[patrickfraser]

Mine backed up right into the sleeve of my bathrobe.

 

[Ferrah88]

Mine backed up right into the sleeve of my bathrobe.

Just like a car parking backwards into a garage





My chameleons also sometimes walk backwards, but only when out of their cages. And usually when I accidentally "startle" them, or do something they're not 100% sure on. Shouldn't be anything to worry about though

 

[Sinfulintent]

Mine does it when I'm trying to feed him.. his eyes aren't open as result of a problem, so I have to poke him with it so he knows it's food time.. takes a few tries and he usually walks backwards a bit. Probably just trying to get away from sometyhing