Peculiar behavior

[OwenPowell]

So I recently had to move, and since getting settled into the new place about a week ago, my panther chameleon has started to spend most of his time climbing the screen walls of his enclosure and trying to push his way through it with his head.
The set up inside his cage has stayed the same, but obviously the surroundings are different. Another big difference is now he's in front of a window. The window facing side of his cage is the side he seems most adamant about getting through.
He's doesn't seem to pay as much attention to the feeders in his dish as he did before, but still does eat them all eventually, as well as becoming a bit easier to hand feed and eating new feeders he had been refusing before.
His colors also look good and calm while he's pace and pushing.

Aside from this new habit of his, his behavior seems normal.

I'm just wondering if this is something I should concern myself about such as a sign of stress, or something he'll eventually get over.
If it is something he's doing because he's stressed, should I try moving the cage away from the window, or just let things settle down for a while.


On a side note, he didn't start doing this right away. At first he was acting absolutely normal. This is something that has started within the last 3 or 4 days.

 

[oblgobl]

Alot of peoples males have been acting restless recently it could be the good weather triggering him to want to find a mate.
Incorrect husbandry often makes the cham do this as they're trying to leave the enviroment but if he was fine before and nothings changed it's unlikely that.
You could try and cover or move the cage so he can't see the window him being able to see outside might be triggering him to do it.

 

[OwenPowell]

It kind of feels like that's all it is. Him wanting to go outside.
He isn't doing it constantly, and still spends a good bit of time basking and roaming around the vines and plants in his cage.
I don't think it's a husbandry issue (I'm always willing to review my husbandry if that does seem like it could be a contributing factor, though) considering his care is absolutely by the books, and again, his colors seem calm and normal while he's searching for a way out. He doesn't act like he's in a panic to leave or upset with the conditions, and looks very healthy with a healthy appetite.
I think he just wants outside and is looking for a way to get there.

So I guess my question would be, has anyone had a similar issue? Did they eventually stop climbing on the cage walls and such, or did you have to move them to another area?
I'd like to keep him by the window for the benefit of natural sun light, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with his fixation on getting out and through that window.

 

[oblgobl]

We had quite good weather here a few weeks back and one of my males became very restless we're back to normal UK weather for now though and he does seem to have calmed down. He was not near a window though he just seemed fixated on trying to get out.

I would try and move him personally just to see if he stops. UVB light doesn't penetrate glass so he's not benefiting from the sunlight in that way. Some chams do seem to enjoy looking out of the window but in your case it might be beneficial for him to be moved away. You could always try it if it doesn't work put him back if it does stop the behaviour you could try and move him back there later in the year.

Maybe just spending some time out of the enclouser will help, especially some time outside in the sun if it's possible for you to do that. Although if he enjoys it he might start 'asking' to come out by clawing the door.

 

[OwenPowell]

I have been taking him out a bit more often recently. Maybe that has something to do with it. Got a taste of the outdoors and likes it haha.

I may give him a few more days where he is just to see if he calms down on his own and gets used to having a better view than before, but if his behavior doesn't change, i'll move him away and see what that does.

I didn't realize glass cuts out all UVB exposure. The sun is able to shine through the screen portion of the sliding glass window at certain times of the day, and while I know screens can cut back the UVB a great deal and obviously nothing compares to time outside, do you think it's worth having him there for that exposure?

 

[Carlton]

I have been taking him out a bit more often recently. Maybe that has something to do with it. Got a taste of the outdoors and likes it haha.

I may give him a few more days where he is just to see if he calms down on his own and gets used to having a better view than before, but if his behavior doesn't change, i'll move him away and see what that does.

I didn't realize glass cuts out all UVB exposure. The sun is able to shine through the screen portion of the sliding glass window at certain times of the day, and while I know screens can cut back the UVB a great deal and obviously nothing compares to time outside, do you think it's worth having him there for that exposure?

The general light level (from that broad wide window exposure) could affect his activity level even if he's got the same cage light setup. I have noticed that some chams are preoccupied or agitated by the view out a window. They may see unexplored habitat they can't ever reach such as large trees and bushes outdoors. Their indoor cages maybe can't compete. They may also feed too exposed to view but they can't retreat enough in their cages.