Gaping?

[KobaOregonherper]

I've caught him doing it while I'm at work on the camera. Lots of gaping. I've tried looking but I dont see any mucus and my temps aren't too high. I'm not sure if it's just a normal thing for a young panther, or if I need to schedule a vet visit.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

What is the temperature he's running specifically? How old is he?

 

[KobaOregonherper]

What is the temperature he's running specifically? How old is he?

Hes 6ish months. His personal temp or the cage and basking temp? His cage temp is 70 lower and 85 higher. His basking temp is 90. Humidity is between 60-80, fluctuating with spraying and a bit higher at night.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Hes 6ish months. His personal temp or the cage and basking temp? His cage temp is 70 lower and 85 higher. His basking temp is 90. Humidity is between 60-80, fluctuating with spraying and a bit higher at night.

I meant his temps. I use a infrared temp gun to monitor my chams temps. Try dropping him to 85* since he still isn't considered an adult quite yet.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

You can either swap out the bulb, raise the bulb, or lower his basking branch to achieve this. Temp gun I bought at Harbor Freight for $15

 

[KobaOregonherper]

You can either swap out the bulb, raise the bulb, or lower his basking branch to achieve this. Temp gun I bought at Harbor Freight for $15

Thanks, I own a temp gun. I'm going to swap out for a lower wattage, see if getting to 85 helps. He noticeably doesnt gape unless hes under the basking bulb. He doesnt gape at night at all either.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Thanks, I own a temp gun. I'm going to swap out for a lower wattage, see if getting to 85 helps. He noticeably doesnt gape unless hes under the basking bulb. He doesnt gape at night at all either.

Well he shouldn't be gaping at night. Are you using night heat for him too?

 

[Chameleomom]

My guy looks like he is gaping sometimes, in fact he is loosening a shed coming on.Just a thought to what might be happening

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Care sheet for Panthers under 9months says basking at 82*. Adult males 85-90*

 

[KobaOregonherper]

Well he shouldn't be gaping at night. Are you using night heat for him too?

Nope. But the room temp stays at 73 all night so there's no a massive temp drop at night.

Care sheet for Panthers under 9months says basking at 82*. Adult males 85-90*

Everything I'd read and the research I'd done up until this point said hed move to a basking spot that wasnt to hot if he needed too. The beam is large enough and the branch is at an angle so he can move on it if needed. Hes decided to use a vine at the same height as the top of the branch... hes got basking height options. Again the temp ranges because of these factors. I'll swap out the bulb to see what happens.

 

[Beman]

So typically they will not move out of the heat they will sit there and gape. Especially if they feel more comfortable or safe in that spot. @CamoChameleonsHuman is right though. With the gun get a temp reading on your chams highest point of his body... If it is above an 83 then this is where the issue is. Just because the basking branch is 82 your cham sits higher in the heat. Also if you are using a bulb that is the spot light rather then just a bulb that heats the area it is going to be more focused heat. It will be more intense for him.

 

[Daesie11]

Caught my guy gaping just now. Literally as soon as I adjusted the heat lamp he settled down and was happy as a clam.

 

[KobaOregonherper]

So typically they will not move out of the heat they will sit there and gape. Especially if they feel more comfortable or safe in that spot. @CamoChameleonsHuman is right though. With the gun get a temp reading on your chams highest point of his body... If it is above an 83 then this is where the issue is. Just because the basking branch is 82 your cham sits higher in the heat. Also if you are using a bulb that is the spot light rather then just a bulb that heats the area it is going to be more focused heat. It will be more intense for him.

Oooooohhhhh okay, for what ever reason that wasnt making any sense to me, derp. I'll do that.

 

[KobaOregonherper]

@CamoChameleonsHuman @Beman his temp was fluctuating between 81 and 90. Based on how dark he was getting while basking. If he saw me he went more blue and got cooler. So I'm probably going to hit the pet store on the way home from work or on lunch and drop the wattage on my bulb. Thanks for the help guys. I'll post again here if things dont get better, or do either way I'll probably leave another comment.

 

[Beman]

Oooooohhhhh okay, for what ever reason that wasnt making any sense to me, derp. I'll do that.

I use these. They have them in multiple wattages. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...heating-lighting/exo-terra-daytime-heat-lamp#
I stopped using the flood light spot ones because the area of focused heat is really strong.

 

[KobaOregonherper]

I use these. They have them in multiple wattages. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...heating-lighting/exo-terra-daytime-heat-lamp#
I stopped using the flood light spot ones because the area of focused heat is really strong.

This is what I'm using currently. I'll see if I can find what you're using and try that at a lower wattage.

 

[Beman]

This is what I'm using currently. I'll see if I can find what you're using and try that at a lower wattage.
View attachment 229701

ohhhh yeah 100 watt way too much.. Try a 60 or 75 if they have it.

 

[Kaizen]

So typically they will not move out of the heat they will sit there and gape. Especially if they feel more comfortable or safe in that spot. @CamoChameleonsHuman is right though. With the gun get a temp reading on your chams highest point of his body... If it is above an 83 then this is where the issue is. Just because the basking branch is 82 your cham sits higher in the heat. Also if you are using a bulb that is the spot light rather then just a bulb that heats the area it is going to be more focused heat. It will be more intense for him.

Just to add to what Beman’s said here: Young chams are especially poor at leaving the hot zone when it’s too warm. Every baby I’ve ever had will sit and gape if it’s to warm. It’s as if they don’t figure out that moving will help until they hit the year and a half mark.