Panther gnawing on schefflera

[kpritch17]

I just got my panther-6 month old ambilobe-on wednesday and my schefflera arbicola is starting to die, so it has no leaves on it, just the sturdy stalks that grows out of the soil. I have witnessed my chameleon gnawing at the short stalks 3 different times. I know it is fine for them to eat the leaves as long as its not too many, but should I stop him from gnawing on the stalks?

 

[Warrix642]

If he is chewing on stalks then your cham is prolly hungry or thirsty. Is the soil too wet or too dry? Does the plant get enough or too much light? I have 5 scheffelera plants and they are very hardy and easy to take care of. I did buy one that was bad from the beggining and I had to replace it.

 

[kpritch17]

Well, I just bought it during the winter so maybe it was too cold from the beginning, I think I'm going to go get another. And the past two days he has eaten 9-10 crickets each day-I was actually surprised he was eating so much so soon after I got him. I have big river rocks on top of the soil, watered it well last week when I repotted it and have just been spraying it down everyday when I mist his cage.

 

[HairyScaryMark]

Do you have a dripper set up? Eating leaves is often a way of getting hydration and a lot of chams will only drink from moving water. They eat plant matter in the wild so I wouldn't worry about it, unless he eats huge quantities of it.

 

[Warrix642]

Well, I just bought it during the winter so maybe it was too cold from the beginning, I think I'm going to go get another. And the past two days he has eaten 9-10 crickets each day-I was actually surprised he was eating so much so soon after I got him. I have big river rocks on top of the soil, watered it well last week when I repotted it and have just been spraying it down everyday when I mist his cage.

Get a new plant and don't water it. Those plants dont need much water, you shouldn't have to give it extra water. Spraying and dripping your chams dripper in the plant everyday is perfect! I have a young male panther that is pigging out too, tryin to eat all his plants everyday... I just feed him a few more crix/water him...that is what he would do in the wild. I hate seeing him hungry, he is FAT and is gonna have to slow down soon!

 

[kpritch17]

Yes, I have a little dripper set up, but I think he's still not sure exactly how to get the water. lol I will go out and see what I can find today. Also, is it normal for chameleons to hang on to vines sideways? Right now he is basking but instead of being on top of the vine he is on, he is completely sideways on it. Does that make sense??

 

[pssh]

My female panther goes side ways when she sees me coming into the room. It's really hard to find her when she goes brown

 

[jeanjacket812]

Yah my little guy goes sideways if he sees me or to catch rays on one side he will flatten out and tilt to the side

 

[kpritch17]

Ok, good to hear. It looked so awkward but i guess his side was just a little chilly. Oh and good news...I went to pick up another schefflera today and the nursury had a perfect one-maybe a little too full actually-and it was half off!! $6!

 

[Warrix642]

Thats a good deal!! Post some pics of the new set up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kpritch17]

set up with new schefflera

Here is Kamish's new set up with the schefflera that actually looks like a schefflera


http://s769.photobucket.com/albums/xx338/kpritch17/?action=view&current=DSCN0137.jpg