Missing 'Spikes' On Panther?

[bloftis1]

So, I just looked closely at my little guy and noticed some of his spikes are missing on his spine. Which worried me a lot thinking I caused it, so I went back to the pictures the day I got him and they were still there. So I don't know if the breeder let him get burned, maybe a birth defect? I also noticed his other male cham had a few missing as well. Could anybody point me into the right direction of what this could be? I'll show the picture of when I first got him, go ahead and zoom in on his back towards the beginning of his spine. Anything will help thank you.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

That is usually a indication of having gotten hurt as a baby or having lived in non optimal conditions as a youngster with inadequate suplimentation. Sometimes when a heat lamp is touching the top screen of the cage and when the top branch that is placed right under the heat source for basking is too close to the heat source the chameleon can bump the screen with it's backand burn off them little spikes. Inbreeding (extensive line breeding) done could also have skin changes as a consequence.

 

[bloftis1]

That is usually a indication of having gotten hurt as a baby or having lived in non optimal conditions as a youngster with inadequate suplimentation. Sometimes when a heat lamp is touching the top screen of the cage and when the top branch that is placed right under the heat source for basking is too close to the heat source the chameleon can bump the screen with it's backand burn off them little spikes. Inbreeding (extensive line breeding) done could also have skin changes as a consequence.

Thank you so much! The breeder we bought from had like 15 breeders at that time. Could it of been that? And also could it cause any health problems in the future for him since he's missing some?

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Not knowing the cause, it would be impossible for me to predict the future. For instance if it was due to a burn at the breeder and your setup is such that he is safe from future burns then he might be ok. If it is caused in part by being malnourished then there might be some other long lasting problems to come.

 

[bloftis1]

Not knowing the cause, it would be impossible for me to predict the future. For instance if it was due to a burn at the breeder and your setup is such that he is safe from future burns then he might be ok. If it is caused in part by being malnourished then there might be some other long lasting problems to come.

I've made sure his basking spot is the perfect temperature all day, and also making sure his branch or him wont accidentally bump onto the screen. It could of been a previous burn? The breeder kept them in the sun here in Florida all day until night time :/ , my cham is eating very well and hydrated. Supplements, calcium w/o D3 6 days a week, and multivitamins twice a month, same with calcium w/ D3 twice a month. He eats crickets medium sized, superworms, and also silkies.