Senegal

[Gardener]

Hello all.

Senegal chameleon acquired in January. He is young. Unsure age. Glass screen combo tank. His eating has been ok. Drinking. Fecal seems fine. Humidity and temp good. Hum 70%. Temp 80. Question is does anyone have any idea if Senegals have a period when they late and may be wildly active trying to escape the enclosure. This behavior began 2 days ago. He settled in the evening but during the day he is up and down in the enclosure and is black and seemingly distressed. I asked the group about this behavior yesterday also. At the time we thought it was too high wattage basking bulb but it doesn't seem to have changed the daytime behavior.

Thanks.

 

[carol5208]

Post a pic of your set up so we can see if there is something awry. Is there anything in the overall room that could be stressing him out? A dog, cat, etc.? Does he have adequate hiding spots??

 

[Gardener]

Hi Carol..

The set up pic is attached. There is really plenty of space to hide and nothing has changed other than what we believe the problem to be his hormones spiking as a young fellow. We're doing all we can to make things right for him.

 

[carol5208]

Honestly, I am not really sure if they get restless to mate. I know turtles will and that is why there are so many of them dead down here on the roads in Florida because they are seeking out a mate and get hit. It is awful! I am always removing them off the road when I can and putting them back in their ponds or canals! I know Senegals don't get huge, but you might want to consider getting him a bigger cage at some point so he does have more room to move around. The only other thing I was thinking is you have a female and it is looking for a place to lay eggs. Are you sure you have a male and appoximately how old? Chameleons can lay eggs as early as 5 months or so without ever being mated incase you were not aware.

 

[Gardener]

Based on photos I've posted members tell me male but I'm just not sure. Got whatever reason he/she seemed done yesterday. Perhaps a bit dark in color but on his normal roost and all seemed well. It's all a learning curve for us. Trying our best.

 

[Angelwolf]

Hi Carol..

The set up pic is attached. There is really plenty of space to hide and nothing has changed other than what we believe the problem to be his hormones spiking as a young fellow. We're doing all we can to make things right for him.

That's not a "combo". It's a glass cage, and it can be entirely possible that he is seeing his reflection in the glass, causing him to stress. I would ditch it and get him screen. They need more fresh air than those exo terras can provide, too. They are ok as a temporary enclosure, but are nowhere big enough for a grown cham.

 

[Gardener]

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback. Not willing to ditch it. I'll make it work and adjust other elements of it to make it even better. The past 3 days has everything perfect and he seems very comfortable and eating heavily. Perhaps just a phase but well make it through. Appreciate the opinions offered and insight. Everything looks good. Thanks to all.