Falling.:[

[JuAPple]

Is it bad for a chameleon to fall from the top of the cage to the bottom? my chameleon climbs all the way to the top and it gets upside down, it only fell once, so far. but i am worried he might do it again! my cage is 11 inches tall, made out of wood(the bottom), and the top is screen (aluminum screen) that is how he gets up there. anyhow will it harm him if he keep doing that? i have 3 plants but when he fell he landed on the wood, he turned brown right a way and went climbing up again, he turned back to green about 20 secs. later. what should i put on the bottom? should i put moss? soil?..

 

[jannb]

Yes, it he could get hurt. Usually nothing is used on the bottom of the cage. If he does it again I would put a towel in the bottom.

 

[Pure]

Falling can also be a sign of some serious problems like MBD. Once in a wile isn't unusual but if he keeps it up you might want to get him a check up.

 

[JuAPple]

No, he doesnt keep falling he only fell once because he was trying to get from one branch to the screen (the top part) he got on his hands on it but i guess he could not keep ip with his boddy weight for a long time and he fell.

right now he is under the light bulb (the heat bulb) he isn't moving other than his eyes is that normal?

 

[chambabysitter1]

No, he doesnt keep falling he only fell once because he was trying to get from one branch to the screen (the top part) he got on his hands on it but i guess he could not keep ip with his boddy weight for a long time and he fell.

right now he is under the light bulb (the heat bulb) he isn't moving other than his eyes is that normal?

Does he hang upside down alot? This could be a sign that his cage is too cold, or there is not enough branches up top for him to climb on and feel safe.

Isn't moving except for his eyes, can you elaborate? Alot of chameleons spend time sitting still on a basking branch. Since you are his owner, have you seen any behavior changes since the fall?

Also, you posted one thread in the right section, why do you keep posting chameleon health related questions here? The lizard lounge see's alot less action, so posting a thread here is kind of moot.

It says:
The Lizard Lounge (1 Viewing)
Introduce yourself to the community. Off topic discussion.

Where this should be posted:
Health Clinic (1 Viewing)
Chameleon health problems. Not an alternative to veterinarian care.

 

[JuAPple]

Sorry i keep getting confused .. and a lot of the topics i cannot find since i forget where they are..:[

anyhow no changes after the fall. like i said he climbed up and went under the lightbulb and he fell. then i saw him get up like if nothing happened and he went right up. now he is under the light but is sitting on a branch (i changed the lightbulb/dome light so it can be in the middle of the cage insted of the right corner) so he is in the middle of the cage sitting on a branch. very still. i did see him move around and then he went back to his spot. i thought he wanted to sleep and that is why he is sitting there still.

 

[chambabysitter1]

Well it is 730 now here in socal. When do you turn off your lights? You are probably correct, he does want to go to bed.

Sounds like you might be confused on some things, I would fill this out so people can help you with all the minor details:

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Cage Info:

* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
* Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
* Location - Where are you geographically located?


Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
* Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

----

Here is a great resource as well.
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
It is a short, but very comprehensive read. It should help you spot out any problems before you occur them.

 

[JuAPple]

thanks :] im sure he does nit hav mbd. he looks and seems very healthy:]


i am going by the breeder's light habits :] i turned the lights off at 8pm since he that and i do not want to change any habits (at 7:30 he was still active not as much but still pretty active it was around 7:50ish when he stood in one spot and changed brown with his tail coiled up and not moving).

*Lights: Repti Sun 5.0, Cylinder light witht he zoo med aquarium lid thing. heat source: Regular House Light, 65 wats, on a dome lamp from petsmart.
*Temperature: Right now it is 77 (it may get cooler though, my room gets 72 at night). when the lights were on it was 83.
*i Spray water to keep humidity.
*plants: spider plant and 2 pathos. both are live plants.
*the cage is located on top of a small book shelve, not crowded at all. the height from the cage to the bottom is 4 ft. no airvents close to the cage at all, there is a fan that is airing my saide of the room towards the cage it seems to reach the cage since i see the leaves moving by the air (the fan is about 12 feet across the cage maybe longer than that.
*locate in california. gets very hot outside this week teh highest so far is 110! and it'll get higher up to 122! (the cham is kept inside the house, in my room and will not go outside obviously )

*cham. info: He is a male, Veiled cham. iv'e only had it for about 5 hours.
* Do not handle him, other than the first time when i put him in his cage other than that no more. (i handled him for about 10 minutes took a few pics and then he went into his cage :] )
*feeding crickets i ordered. i feed the crickets fruit. put the crickets in powder of vitamins and calcium.
*Watering: Spraying and this water dropper.
*Current problem none. (solved)

Current pics: https://www.chameleonforums.com/sobe-my-new-chameleon-27007/

 

[chambabysitter1]

haha, oh 5 hours owned? If I knew that I would have probably told you he was fine earlier. You are doing what we all did the first few days of owning our first chameleon, worrying. It's perfectly normal, and if anything healthy.
You seem to be doing everything right so far, and have done your research.

8pm lights off is just fine, I was just checking, you are doing great. You'd be surprised how many people are confused by the fact that their chameleon needs lights out at night.

For future reference,
Chameleons are arboreal and will fall from a tree from time to time, they are built to take a fall or 2. At the same time though, as earlier mentioned, if your chameleon is falling alot, it is probably a sign of a health problem or enclosure problem.


Good luck, and welcome to the world of chameleon keeping. It's a good sign you are already on your toes, and being very observant.

Here are one of my favorite quick references, it is also a short quick, comprehensive read.
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

 

[JuAPple]

Thanks :] Oh trust me i did 2 weeks worth of research and even then i still feel a little nervous but i think i'll do just fine :] yeah i know people who keep their lights on for may of the reptiles that need them off. i kept telling them they need the lights off (form the research i did it compared chameleons with other lizards and reptiles) but they do not listen Geeze!

phew I am relieved I am doing a good job as of now :] I am really excited to have my first cham. I love this pet. I usually am terrified of lizards and most reptiles (especially iguanas and snakes. Can't stand them) but chameleons are way differ id how :]

 

[chambabysitter1]

I just saw your pictures, the chameleon looks very young. It might not do so well in a big 4 foot tall enclosure.

I myself have never had a chameleon that small or young, so I cannot offer you advice. I would ask somebody else.

(I'll ask a mod to move this thread for you, Lizard lounge posts don't get updated to the front page.)

Anyways, they aren't very frightening are they? Well they can be, wait till you see the rage!
The temp gets crazy hot inland, I hope your new addition has a cool retreat. Good luck!