sambava eating bark?

[Ryans reptile room]

my sambava male was just seen ripping at the bark of one of his branches he is munching on the bark and tearing at it is this normal and could it harm him??

 

[CBPanther]

Can you post a picture of your enclosure?

 

[kinyonga]

A lot of panther chameleons do this. It could be a problem if it ingests a piece big enough that it won't pass through him.

 

[carol5208]

I would shave the bark off so he cannot do that! All of the branches I use are very smooth with no bark that is removable.

 

[imcurt]

Wow that new male of yours is realy sending you to school!! I have read that some chams eat bark for the minrals. Hard to say why they do this. I to would remove the bark or get a diffrent plant if needed .

 

[CBPanther]

Agreed, shave the bark down. It does not have to be bare, but no larger pieces should be showing. The mineral thing sounds legit. Perhaps he is low on vitamins? Let us know!

 

[Ryans reptile room]

il try and post a pic in soon and i get what your saying but its not large pieces on the branch and its not easy to get off its like he knew he wanted bark lol and went for it and he wasnt getting a whole lot off of it but just the action itself was weird to be he seems to be looking alot better with the throat swelling so maby he is his own doctor lol i will take make sure to watch him for anything els weird and yes curt he is def taking me to school lol oh and they love that mist king

 

[carol5208]

yeah they drive us crazy these guys now don't they! I just figure the less things we remove from their reach that pose a health hazard the better!!!