Not eating!!!!!!!!!

[cantwell615]

Ok, so this is my first post. I found this site while searching Google to try to solve a problem. I just got my first chameleon one week ago. He's a panther. NOT my first reptile though, I currently have an iguana who I have had for 2 years and a red tail boa I've had about the same time.

The guy I got the chameleon from is a regular at the pet store I work at. He comes in there and talks to me so he knows how well I know reptiles. He is moving in with his girlfriend who doesn't want crickets in the house so he was trying to sell him but said since he knows I can care for him the right way he would give him to me with everything he had for him. He got him from chameleonsonly.com and got the big package deal that came with everything you need.

Well I picked him up and got him home safe. Set everything up but I did change one thing. The old owner had him on a 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. cycle and I changed it to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. because that is what my other animals are on. Anyways figured I would offer him food but didn't think he would eat do to stress. Well it's been a week and he still hasn't eaten.

The good news is the old owner trained him to drink straight from the spray bottle so he is getting fluids. After I give him water he does what I can only explain as "smacking his lips" haha. after all this time of not eating I felt I had no choice but to gently set some food in his mouth as he did this. He took that fine and ate quite a few but I know this can not be good.

He gets sprayed plenty throughout the day, has pooped and even climbed onto my hand at his own freewill while I was misting his. Plus I have tried all the different ways to feed him, tongs, by hand, in a cup, and just leaving them in the cage. He seems just fine BUT WON'T EAT! And one last weird thing he does is, climbs to the ground alot. Just seems strange to me.

So please somebody help me out. Thank you very much for your time.

 

[Draco1702]

Hi! Have you tried to feed him different insects or just crickets? It is not uncommon for them to get bored if they are always fed the same prey... If you have not already done so, I would try offering him a variety of feeder insects and see if that works. When served a diversified "menu", even the pickiest chameleons generally show some interest and try something new.

Also, does he try to feed at all? Does he look at the prey but does not look interested? I think it is interesting that he accepted food when hand-fed. After observing his behavior attentively, you may want to make sure that he can see with both eyes... One of my panthers would look at the insect, but would not try to catch them... after a while I brought him to the vet and it turned out that - probably after a fall - he had lost sight in one eye and could not triangulate anymore....

Hope this helps!

 

[carol5208]

Hi! Have you tried to feed him different insects or just crickets? It is not uncommon for them to get bored if they are always fed the same prey... If you have not already done so, I would try offering him a variety of feeder insects and see if that works. When served a diversified "menu", even the pickiest chameleons generally show some interest and try something new.

Also, does he try to feed at all? Does he look at the prey but does not look interested? I think it is interesting that he accepted food when hand-fed. After observing his behavior attentively, you may want to make sure that he can see with both eyes... One of my panthers would look at the insect, but would not try to catch them... after a while I brought him to the vet and it turned out that - probably after a fall - he had lost sight in one eye and could not triangulate anymore....

Hope this helps!

he is really not hand feeding, more a force feeding! I agree with you though and the OP should try some different feeders. It would be beneficial for the new owner to fill out the ask for help form in the health clinic section. How old is the UVB that came with the set up, do you know? here is the form https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[ataraxia]

How long has he had the chameleon and did he ever change the lights?? what was he feeding him, frequency, supplements used, frequency and what was he gut loading his feeders with?

You also culture shocked him with a 5 hour lights on and off cycle. I would think by a week now he would have adjusted but you should have weaned him to your light cycles. wake yourself up 5 hour later than usual and go to sleep 5 hours later than usual...then see how well you feel.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[Elizadolots]

It isn't really unheard of for them to refuse to eat for what seem impossibly long stretches of time. I think he's going to take some time to adjust to the pretty massive changes in his life. Not only is his environment new, the sun doesn't rise and set the way it used to. (just a note for any future animals: I would suggest easing into that change an hour at a time over the course of several weeks)

If it were my animal, I would stop trying to give him food at all for the time being. I would get a dripper system going so you can hopefully switch him over to that but continue to give water daily until you know he's using the dripper. Other than that water issues I wouldn't interact with him at all for at least 3 days (maybe even 5). Then I'd re-introduce food.