Started shedding, quit eating?

Myerz77

Myerz77

New Member
My chameleon started shedding 3 days ago and hasn't ate in two days, i wonder if this is normal as to he is bothered by the loose skin, and uses his back legs to try to remove loose skin on his back, and rubs loose skin off his face area on branches. Just wondering, and thanks for any information.

Chris
 
Has he been shedding for 3 days? That's not good, increase the humidity in your terrarium by a lot. I reccomend misting him down heavily for 5 mins, 3 times a day. If the skin isn't off by tomorrow night then gently take a damp (warm) cloth and remove the skin. It is normal for them to sometimes not eat while/before/after shedding. But a 3 day shed indicated a hydration problem. Which can also account for his lack of eating. The others on this forum will be able to give a more detailed answer, you might want to fill out one of those request for help forms.
 
Yes, many reptiles go off food for a little while sloughing. Must be quite uncomfortable, Imagine having your whole body peel at once, remember how itchy it gets!
Dont panic this is quite normal.
You might like to give an extra misting now and then until its done. :)

Edit, Defishy, lets not jump to conclusions, It IS normal, many people on this forum report their cham takes several days to a week to shed. It dosent automatically indicate anything is wrong with humidity. Mine takes days aswell and I know its not a humidity issue.
This is common and particular to chameleons.

Do not go trying to remove skin, if its not ready you will cause damage. Leaving it wont harm the cham, it will will come off in its own time, or at the next slough.

So many alarmist's here! :)
 
jojackson said:
Yes, many reptiles go off food for a little while sloughing. Must be quite uncomfortable, Imagine having your whole body peel at once, remember how itchy it gets!
Dont panic this is quite normal.
You might like to give an extra misting now and then until its done. :)

Edit, Defishy, lets not jump to conclusions, It IS normal, many people on this forum report their cham takes several days to a week to shed. It dosent automatically indicate anything is wrong with humidity. Mine takes days aswell and I know its not a humidity issue.
This is common and particular to chameleons.

Do not go trying to remove skin, if its not ready you will cause damage. Leaving it wont harm the cham, it will will come off in its own time, or at the next slough.

So many alarmist's here! :)
Click to expand...

Younger chameleons generally shed faster than older ones. The only time you need to worry about a shed taking a long time is when it is cutting off circulation (ex. toes, tail...)

And yes DO NOT remove the skin. If its not ready to come off and you pull it off...well... it would be like either of us picking a scab.
 
thanks jojackson, i wasn't alarmed, i was trying to stay one step ahead, he is good on humidity, and ate very well till now, i bet he'll eat good tomorrow or the next day :)
 
Alright, I didn't know that. Both of my chams (one is 8 months, and the other is 5) both shed within 6-8 hours. I should clairfy that yes, not to rubb off the skin that is still on the body, but the stuff that is already off but still clinging there.
 
I didn't want to pull it off or help it off, i figured it'd work that out on it's own, i was worried about the lack of food mainly, the shedding on his eyes was bothering him this morning, but when i came home at noon it had shed and he was seeing well again, i was just worried about his appetite.
 
Some even shed in wacky stages, like my female veild. Her legs and feet shed perfectly from the knee joint down last week. This week she looked fine and no signs of a shed, untill 2 days ago. She now looks like shes wearing white shorts and a white t-shirt...with her green legs showing...:D I keep my humidity steady at 65%. The 2 panthers will shed completly within 4-8 hrs, the vield is usually about the same, except this time. Give them time to do thier thing and it will come off, just don't pull it off.;) If I catch you pulling it off I might just stop by and help you shed.....:cool::p

-Jay
 
Lol i didnt know they shed like that, that's great. They sure are interesting to own, and have tons of character :)
 
The more you watch them, and the more you wonder about them, the more questions arise! Sends me nuts sometimes but I love it! Im so glad I got the opportunity to own one! :)
 
I read your last post Jo and then about an hour later a truly wonderful thing happened :). I picked up his cricket container and grabbed a cricket, and i went for it! I held the cricket up tall and proud and looked down and away from said,Melleri. And then he shot it out of my hand, and 5 more after that, the shedding/fasting 3 or 4 day event has come to an end , and i am again developing trust, and friendship. God has shined down on us today, and i am one happy camper :)
 
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