Just arrived- does he look too skinny?

[Chamcrazy67]

Hi! First time poster here. My Jackson just got dropped off by ups. He is not happy but he has eaten a few crickets and drank some water. His legs appear a bit skinny to me. What are your thoughts? I had a Jackson a few years ago and when he arrived he was about this size but he had nice plump arms and legs. He also was not black at all.

 

[Syreptyon]

They don't look exceptionally thin to me. Where did you purchase him from?

 

[Chamcrazy67]

They don't look exceptionally thin to me. Where did you purchase him from?

Underground reptiles.

 

[Syreptyon]

So he's a wild caught, then. Make sure to quarantine him if you have other reptiles and take him to the vet. Very likely has parasites

 

[Crashbandit05]

Maybe (hopefully) it's just me but his lip looks swollen..?

 

[Kristen99]

Maybe (hopefully) it's just me but his lip looks swollen..?

I noticed this as well like as if it is about to peal over I have seen this in other wild caught jacksons.

 

[Syreptyon]

Ya, I also thought the mouth looked a little off.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

It seems like a swelling of the lower jaw, maybe the start of mouth rot, or something like infection in the mouth where it is swelling inside.

 

[Chamcrazy67]

Here are more pictures. His lips are yellow and the rest is dark so I’m not sure if that’s causing an illusion of them being swollen. Please let me know what you think of these pictures. Thanks!

 

[CJ's Exotics]

View attachment 201779 View attachment 201780 View attachment 201777 View attachment 201778 Here are more pictures. His lips are yellow and the rest is dark so I’m not sure if that’s causing an illusion of them being swollen. Please let me know what you think of these pictures. Thanks!

Most of the pictures you posted were blurry and of the wrong side.

 

[Chamcrazy67]

These better?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

You can't see the swelling? It does look like it is in the mouth.

 

[Chamcrazy67]

You can't see the swelling? It does look like it is in the mouth.

I don’t see it. Do you mean the lining of his mouth or where specifically?

 

[Chamcrazy67]

The yellow part around his lips? I thought that was his jawline. Since he is a little thin.

 

[Syreptyon]

I do think that the color of his lips makes it kind of hard to tell! The first picture I saw it, then I found it more difficult to notice in your later pics. Just be sure to keep an eye on it, just in case!

 

[CJ's Exotics]

See how much bigger his lower lip is compared to his upper lip? And in the second picture, his mouth lining is exposed, and his lip is pushing out?

 

[Chamcrazy67]

I think I see it now. Looking at pictures of other chameleons online it looks like the lip area is usually flat and doesn’t stick out at all. Is that right?

 

[Chamcrazy67]

I’ve messaged underground reptiles but I’m not sure what I should do about it. I don’t want a possibly sick chameleon. What if they just say he looks normal?

 

[Syreptyon]

Correct, their lips should lie flush with the rest of the face. Protruding can be a sign of some sort of ailment. Honestly, I don't think you will get help from Underground Reptiles. Their reptiles are wild caught, so you go into that purchase knowing you may receive a sick, old, or just generally less than healthy animal. It is a definite risk.

Consider purchasing from a captive breeding program next time to avoid the many many problems which come along with wild caughts.

 

[Chamcrazy67]

Ok. Thanks for all the information! I was really excited to get him but now im pretty bummed out.