Chameleon Walking On Floor

[morganeoreilly]

So my chameleon(I think it’s a sub adult male veiled translucent chameleon) is spending a lot more time on the bottom of its cage and I’m curious if that is
normal or concerning behavior. He also hasn’t eaten the past few days

Including photos I took yesterday including photos of the back feet

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. That is a female and judging by her coloring, I’d guess she’s looking for a lay bin. You need to set one up asap. Use a plastic bin that is at least 12” long and wide and fill to about 5-6” deep with washed play sand that is moist enough to hold a tunnel without collapsing. Set it in there and she’ll find it. More to come in a bit.

 

[Bazelthechameleon]

So my chameleon(I think it’s a sub adult male veiled translucent chameleon) is spending a lot more time on the bottom of its cage and I’m curious if that is
normal or concerning behavior. He also hasn’t eaten the past few days

Including photos I took yesterday including photos of the back feet

Lay bin asap! That’s one beautiful girlie that’s ready to pop!

 

[MissSkittles]

So glad that we reviewed your husbandry previously and hope you made the changes suggested. Looking back I see we had a difficult time to determine gender. Well, now there’s no doubt about it. I did give my whole laying 101 spiel in that post and am going to spare my fingers with giving you the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/cage-review.188919/page-2

 

[elizaann2]

Let us know how it goes! She is beautiful btw!

 

[morganeoreilly]

 

[morganeoreilly]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/09c5z50kxD72VkikfrMFwEgzA

video trying to show consistency of sand/soil mix.
the tub is 13”x8”x5”

 

[MissSkittles]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/09c5z50kxD72VkikfrMFwEgzA

video trying to show consistency of sand/soil mix.
the tub is 13”x8”x5”

I can’t see the video, but from the pics your bin looks good. Cover just the lower half of your enclosure so that when she does go down and starts digging, she won’t be able to see anyone. Hopefully you’re just in time and she’ll get down to business right away.

 

[kinyonga]

Don’t let her see you looking at her when she’s digging.

If you have plastic plants in the cage I would recommend replacing them with real nontoxic, well washed both sides of the leaves, plants.

 

[MissSkittles]

Just wondering how things are going. Has your pretty girl started digging?

 

[morganeoreilly]

Just wondering how things are going. Has your pretty girl started digging?

Hey I was actually tuning in to check in with you. So i’ve been at work but i’ve asked my SO and she said that she hasn’t gone into the bin at all….

 

[MzLaurie11]

My panther laid her first clutch behind the bin on the floor over a three day period. Whatever she does, leave her be because any stress at this point could cause her to become egg bound. Covering the cage for privacy is important. Also if you have a potted plant set it in front of the laybin and hopefully she will go behind it into the lay bin she might try to dig in your plants too. Oh that fake vine with the leaves is very dangerous. There is many sharp points from where leaves should be. she might try to nibble on a leaf too. Or get a puncture wound. Best to toss it. Flukerfarms makes good vines that are pretty safe. No leaves though. My fingers crossed that your first clutch goes smoothly. once she is all done, she will be really hungry. I love her pokkadots. Do they get dark when shes mad?

 

[MissSkittles]

Hey I was actually tuning in to check in with you. So i’ve been at work but i’ve asked my SO and she said that she hasn’t gone into the bin at all….

Is she still going down to the bottom of her enclosure? Is she eating any? Has she been restless at all? Do you know how long ago she started going to the bottom? They have only a certain amount of time that they have the urge to dig/lay their eggs and then they become eggbound. I’ve no idea what that time frame is though. I know it took one of my girls not quite a week until I figured out that she wanted her old lay bin and nothing else would do. @kinyonga is the expert and knows so much more than me.

 

[morganeoreilly]

Is she still going down to the bottom of her enclosure? Is she eating any? Has she been restless at all? Do you know how long ago she started going to the bottom? They have only a certain amount of time that they have the urge to dig/lay their eggs and then they become eggbound. I’ve no idea what that time frame is though. I know it took one of my girls not quite a week until I figured out that she wanted her old lay bin and nothing else would do. @kinyonga is the expert and knows so much more than me.

since i added the tub she has stopped being restless. I just offered her a cricket on a whim which she actually showed interest in and ate. I had been observing her walking around like that for a few days before putting my post in.

 

[morganeoreilly]

since i added the tub she has stopped being restless. I just offered her a cricket on a whim which she actually showed interest in and ate. I had been observing her walking around like that for a few days before putting my post in.

and hasn’t gone to the bottom of the cage

 

[MissSkittles]

Ok. Hopefully all has been caught on time and when she’s ready, she knows the bin is there. Do watch for any signs of possible distress though - not eating, not basking, lethargy, staying on the bottom of the enclosure (not digging or moving much), eyes closed during the day, ‘dropping’ eggs at random thru her enclosure and just go by your gut feeling if she doesn’t seem to be her usual self. Do you have a good exotics vet near you who has experience with chameleons? If not, there is a list of vets here https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/area-by-area-country-vet-list.32880/ and you can check here too http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 Not all exotics vets have solid experience with chameleons, so if those two resources don’t help, let us know your general location and perhaps another member can help.

 

[morganeoreilly]

here she is today. still not eating really and hasn’t gone down to the bottom much. drank water today when I sprayed her cage. moving quickly when being handled

 

[kinyonga]

You’re not handling her unless absolutely necessary these days are you?

 

[morganeoreilly]

You’re not handling her unless absolutely necessary these days are you?

Yes that is correct.

At what point in this process should I become really concerned or are we already passed that point?

 

[kinyonga]

Do you know when she first started showing the yellow and turquoise spots?