Klutzy Chameleons?

[Kevy Baby]

We have what I believe are fairly decent enclosures for our Chams (Male is in a 24 x 24 x 48, female is in a 18 x 18 x 36 - similar to these; both have plants, sticks and vines). However, every once in a while, I will hear one of them climbing up the screen and then hear a "thud" and we look over to seem them lying on the floor of the enclosure.

The male does this more than the female and I may see (hear) this once or twice a week (and who knows how often during the day when I am not home).

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[hallenhe]

Depending on the size of the mesh and the size of the chameleon, it can happen. My Jackson's climbed the window screens with perfect ease, while they're not as good a fit for my panther's claws and he's been clumsier the few times he's tried. They'll also sometimes grab onto one of their own legs, feet or tail and this can make them fall.
Aluminum screens (if that's what you have) can sometimes snag and damage a claw, especially if it's not quite a perfect fit. Some people have gotten around that by putting a larger-gauge plastic mesh inside and against the walls of the cage (cham can cling to the mesh better than to the screen; screen still keeps feeders in); rearranging/adding to your decor so the cage is saturated with Things to Climb may also help.

 

[jeanjacket812]

Just curious what kind of chameleons do you have. How long have you had them? Is your supplementing routine on point?

 

[laurie]

A chameleon that falls once a week is a matter for concern. Something isn't right for your chameleon. Could you fill out the "hoe to ask for help" form and post a couple of pictures? It could just be the screen in the cage, but it is something you need to address whatever it is imo.

 

[jeanjacket812]

Laurie that is what I was thinking didn't want to raise any concerns for them though. My veiled did that as early warning signs for MBD. He always grabbed his tail or his legs and I would come home to find him on the bottom of his cage or find his legs locked together.

 

[draetish]

Ditto on the above. It would be a good time to answer the "how to ask for help" questions as Laurie suggested. Better to catch it now then deal with a problem later.

 

[AReptile]

Sounds like it has some slight MBD to me from the original post. How do your chameleons move? Do they have fluid movements in general or do they move like they have Parkinson's?