My First Chameleon Gave Me a Scare! Is This Normal?

[sweetmisery]

First thing in the morning earlier, I was feeding it with roaches and superworms, it eats A LOT. I misted him and the plants... next thing I know, the other eye is shut(last night, it was ok)!!! I was nervous and read some articles.

I went back and its open again. He gave me a Hell of a scare. Is this normal that they close their eyes while moving? The closed eye seems to move still... but after like 5 mins. it was ok again.

Was he just screwing with me?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Cameron B]

Some may do this during misting to prevent water getting into their eyes. It's quite normal and nothing to be in fear of.

 

[summoner12]

It sounds like he was cleaning his eye. When being misted they will bulge out the eye and clean. It used to freak me out when I had my first cham. It is normal if it isn't going on all the time (when not misting). But during misting, its ok, just cleaning.

 

[mika]

Yup mine does that all the time when I mist it and it kinda rolls the eyes going in to clean it I guess...

 

[sweetmisery]

Whew. That was my first thought, that some water went to his eye. Almost gave me a heart attack! Good thing he didnt do it just to mess with my head OR ELSE!!! lol

THANKS GUYS!

 

[sweetmisery]

Anyway guys, while he did it again this morning right after misting, when she opens her eyes, it is not "fully" opened. Its still 20% shut. Is this normal or should I be alarmed?

 

[mika]

After misting, how long does it take before he fully opens his eyes?

 

[sweetmisery]

5-10 mins. more or less. I see his closed eyes bulging and going round and round.

 

[mika]

If it's goin round and round then I would say he's cleaning his eyes out.

Are you sure he keeps it that way for 5 to 10 mins?

 

[summoner12]

My Female used to do this for a little bit. It used to freak me out. Don't worry about it too much. If you see crusty eyes and weird stuff like that, then be alarmed. My boys don't bulge and do the wierd swirling stuff. Just my female.

 

[sweetmisery]

If it's goin round and round then I would say he's cleaning his eyes out.

Are you sure he keeps it that way for 5 to 10 mins?

Well its closed for that time, but Im not sure if he swirls it that long. Ill check again next time.

But when they open it, should it be fully open? His is not fully.

 

[mary prefontaine]

mine does this too

mine also does this eye closing thing mostly when i mist him he seems to keep his eye closed to avoid getting water in it i guess, cause he always opens it after a while. i bought some special eye antibiotics from the feed store just in case but i havnt had to use it as he does eventually open his eye back up like yours does.