Panther eating the fake vine

[Devokid]

I just got this male Nose Faly and have noticed some odd health things. First, his eyes looked a little swollen and droopy and his gums were inflamed a little. I am hoping that with the proper lights and supplements these issues will clear up. Second, I have noticed him chewing on the fake vine. He has been doing this all day. He tries to rip pieces off and eat it. Why would he do this? Is there anything specific, like fiber or a vitamin, that he is lacking in his diet (remember I just got him so I do not know what his previous diet was.)? I have a video but can't figure out how to post it. The first picture, when he is black, is right after unboxing.

 

[cambech]

my panthers used to chew at the fake bendy vines as well. I asked the same question and was told it was pretty normal. Can't remember why though.

 

[Guaca mole]

Maybe offer him some real greens to eat. He might be dehydrated and need to drink. And try misting him too, just avoid spraying him directly, especially his face. That should help with the shedding too.

 

[Devokid]

What kind of greens? Like Kale? He has live plants in the cage, but only chews on the fake. I've also been feeding him dusted horn worms to help with the hydration.

 

[ridgebax1]

Personally I would remove the fake vine. My concern is that he would bite a piece off and ingest it with a potential for becoming obstructed. One of the forum members lost his cham because of an ingested foreign body. Pothos is an acceptable safe plant that could be put in the cage. Also avoid Kale, it is goitrogenic and interferes with calcium absorption. Try collards, turnip or mustard greens.

 

[Psychobunny]

I agree, whatever fake stuff he is chewing my get injested and could cause
impaction problems.
My little panther seems to enjoy chewing a little knob growth on one of his
dogwood tree branches.
I have never seen my adult chams (1 year or over) do this, only the young
ones. I have no idea why, and have read many theories about why they do it.

I don't go with the notion it's a vitamin or mineral difficiency

 

[MelissaB]

This may be a really stupid question, but do chams teethe? I've seen Oscar chew on things, and wondered if he was cutting teeth. I had to take out a magnatural planter because he kept trying to chew on it, and I didn't want him eating polystyrene or whatever foam they're made of.

 

[Psychobunny]

Maybe so, I don't see the adults doing it, just the little ones.
There has to be a reason
Some say it means they are lacking something in their diet, maybe, but I don't
buy that answer. It doesn't explain why they seem to grow out of it.

 

[Sohmbody]

Have you had him to see a vet yet? Preferably a psychologist Vet? I have heard, although it is rare, that chameleons can have down syndrome... Does he ever look like he's trying to bite his ear?

 

[Devokid]

Haha, thanks mike. (Sohmbody), I'll be sure to get him in for a complete psych eval. He has plenty of live plants in the cage to chew on, so I'll remove the fake vines because he is trying to eat it. He tears off chunks and eats them, although he has calmed down over the week that I've owned him. Still pooping just fine, for those who were wondering.