Changing the plants in a Chameleons cage causes stress?

[kmc80]

I've had my Jackson's for almost a week and I put them in a cage that I used for a previous cham. I cleaned it first of course . Since I had the Ficus plants for a while their leaves started falling off. I decided to switch the plants out. I got a Shefferella pant, which is taller than the Ficus, and I got fake vines and leaves that I put in there as well. All the perches are still the same. Now the girl just stays on the side or top of the cage and opens her mouth. The boy clings to one vine looking scared. The girl has eaten, the boy hasn't. Will they get used to the new plant??
On a side note...since I've had them they act like I'm torturing them every time I mist the cage. I've gotten them both to drink from the spray bottle but every day they go back to being scared. Am I doing something wrong? They're only 5 months old, does that have something to do with it?

 

[Syn]

Do you have two chameleons in the same cage, or am I misreading it?

Any change in environment can cause stress.

 

[laurie]

Hello, at that age the stress could be from seeing each other. You should consider putting them in separate cages. Chameleons are usually mush happier and less stressed if they have their own "space".

Almost any changes can stress a cham for a few days. But my guess & it is only a guess, it most of the behavior you are seeing is a result of them being in one cage.

 

[susieqff]

I've had my Jackson's for almost a week and I put them in a cage that I used for a previous cham. I cleaned it first of course . Since I had the Ficus plants for a while their leaves started falling off. I decided to switch the plants out. I got a Shefferella pant, which is taller than the Ficus, and I got fake vines and leaves that I put in there as well. All the perches are still the same. Now the girl just stays on the side or top of the cage and opens her mouth. The boy clings to one vine looking scared. The girl has eaten, the boy hasn't. Will they get used to the new plant??
On a side note...since I've had them they act like I'm torturing them every time I mist the cage. I've gotten them both to drink from the spray bottle but every day they go back to being scared. Am I doing something wrong? They're only 5 months old, does that have something to do with it?

I agree with the separate cages. Make sure the girl cant see the boy. My girl Jackson was the same age and she got got freaked out when the wind blew or I just looked at her. And try warm water when you mist them. And try not to actually mist her if she moves away from it. Just mist from above really well. Don't bother her too much. Give her time to adjust.

 

[kmc80]

They were'nt acting like that untill I changed the cage around....except for the misting.
I asked the breeder if it was ok to put them in the same cage and he said it was. The cage is pretty big for their size and they have plenty of room for their own space. However, once they start getting bigger I may have to separate them.
Since writing this the girl figured out that she can hide in the new plant...so maybe I'm getting more stressed than they are lol

 

[susieqff]

I don't know how big your cage is but normally Chams do best when separated. They are still young so I'd say watch them closely. Make sure they are eating and drinking...Jackson's stress quickly so i'd be concerned about the girl. These guys just need time to get used to things. But be prepared to move her if you need to. Don't let either stay stressed.

 

[susieqff]

And good luck and enjoy them!!

 

[Olimpia]

They're only five months old right? Well, she's probably going to be old enough to start breeding in 15-30 more days and certainly WILL breed if the male is in the same cage with her (he certainly will try if given the chance!). I think that at this point in her life she is too young to be bred, and would allow her to continue to grow and develop herself before making her give birth to lots of young.

I honestly would separate them. People do keep Jackson's together in groups but I really wouldn't do that right at this moment, just for her well being.

 

[kmc80]

Thank you everyone for the advice. They're both eating and drink A lOT so I'm not concerned with that. I am considering separating them though. She doesn't seem interested in mating however she could change her mind. LOL.