Scratching at cage at night

[supergnome]

For the last couple days I have noticed my Chameleon up at night and walking around the bottom trying to walk up the side of her tank. She usually only does it on one side of the tank. I store the crickets on that side and I'm not sure if she can see the crickets and is just hungry and is trying to get them. From what I've read it seems like I've been feeding her enough though. I can't think of what else would cause her to do this. (Especially at night when her lights are off.) I don't really notice her doing this during the day (though I'm usually at work) but sometimes she'll be walking around the bottom right when the lights come on. Any idea of what her problem could be? I don't think she's ready to lay eggs since she's pretty young, still eating and she's not scratching at the bottom like she's trying to dig.

Her tank is usually around 80-90 degrees during the day. Humidity between 40-50. I've been giving her around 17 crickets with supplements a day. She eats them all. She has light for heat and a UVB bulb. Her tank has some plants and a log thats tilted to allow her to sit under the heat if she wants (she seems to enjoy that spot.) When I got her I was just told she was a "few months old" so she's probably around 4 months now?

 

[chameleonkev]

It's hard to say, she might just be exploring her tank, your feeding her well but I'd probly put a couple extra in if she eating them all, chams eat a lot while there young it slows down as they get older.how cool is your viv towards the bottom? Is there a temp drop? Just have a look at her make sure she is well hydrated and I wouldn't worrie so much about it

 

[carol5208]

I find it odd that she would be up during the night hours at all especially if your lights are off in the cage. Usually once they are asleep, that is it for the night and they pretty much dont move. My question is, is there lights on in the room like a tv, computer, or any thing else that could be disrupting her sleep?

 

[supergnome]

Yeah I was thinking about that this morning. I have been up late the last 2 nights working on the computer. She's in my room with me so the lights have been on.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Females will dig and lay eggs during night. Does she have a place to dig? I have had female panthers lay eggs at 4 months old.

 

[Flapenn]

My female dug her holes at night also.

 

[reptilover]

Digging Is possible.. also u shoukd remove crickets at night for good practice. If they escape the cup they may chew on her.
Also I noticed u said her tank is 80-90? For a youngin her hot spot should be 83 ish and down to 70 at the bottom.. she could be to hot thus going to the bottom. U could even lower her temp to try and see if she goes up top to bask.

 

[reptilover]

Also welcome to the forum
COPING THIS FORM AND FILLING IT OUT WITH PICTURES WILL ALSO HELP US HELP U.


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 vitamoin 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 arethedimensions?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? Howareyou creating and maintaining theselevels? What do you useto 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 trafficareas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?Location - Where are you geographicallylocated?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[supergnome]

Species: Veiled
Sex: F
Age: about 4 months
Handling: Seldom
Tested for parasites: No

I've had it for about a month and a half. I feed it 17+ crickets every day dusted with RepCal. Twice a week I dust with Herptivite. I feed her every morning before I go to work. I have two jobs so it's not always at a consistent time. I spray her tank in the morning before I feed her and again when I get home from work (around 4 or 5pm) so that there is droplets running from the leaves. I've never seen her drink before. Her fecal matter is usually brown. (It always looks the same to me.)

As for the cage, its a glass tank. I have one UVB light (I don't know what brand) and one regular lightbulb for heat. I have temperature and humidity gauges towards the top of the tank. Usually humidity is around 40-50 and the temp is around 80-90. I only have plastic plants in the tank and a wooden log. The tank is in my bedroom on a table close to my window. (Shades are always closed. I don't know if leaving them open is good for her.) I'm actually going to be upgrading her to a bigger glass tank this weekend.

Hopefully that helps.

 

[Elizadolots]

Hi. "Glass Tank" is sort of a scary term, but there are some glass enclosures that work very well with chameleons. Can you describe yours? How tall is it? How wide, how deep? Does it have ventilation holes near the bottom? Is the top screen?

Can you take some pictures of the enclosure and the lights? It's really important to know what UVB bulb you have (not all are created equal).

As noted, your temps are high. If it were my chameleon, I would want the temperature 6 inches under the basking bulb to be around 83...no more than 85. The temperature at the bottom of the cage should be substantially cooler, essentially "room temperature".

Open the shades. She'll probably enjoy that.

As noted, the lights at night might have bothered her. The simple answer is to put a sheet or something over/around the enclosure so she gets a dark night.

However, as also noted, eggs are a possibility and you really need to be ready with a laying bin. If the bin cannot be in her enclosure, you'll need to put something in for her to let you know when it's time to move her to the laying bin.