Strange behaviour

[Bernie]

My male panther has been acting a little strange over the past few weeks. Most days he is completely normal, eating, drinking and climbs out of his cage for some interaction etc...

We have noticed that approximately one day per week he will sit in the same spot all day and be completely unresponsive. He stares (downwards) into space. He sometimes rocks to mimic the wind blowing him if you go near him.

You can distract him and he will move his eyes a few times, check out what's going on, then return to his blank stare.

This is him now. He has been there all morning.

Has anyone else seen their Chams do this? It's very strange.

 

[arnau666]

very nice cham you got there.mine stares like that sometimes for minutes!i thought he stare at the rocks

 

[carol5208]

Has anything in the cage changed? There may be something that is scaring him or something he does not like. I put a towel down (a light pink one) in the bottom of my chameleon's cage to soak up the water. He was afraid of it but I did not know at the time. His colors got very brilliant and he kept staring down. He was moving back and forth on the branch almost shaking. He was like this for hours and I did not know what was going on. I removed the towel and he instantly became "normal" again. He will also do this when he sees my lawnmower. He will not move and stay in the same position until I take the mower away. it is weird he only does it once a week though!

 

[Bernie]

No changes in the cage at all. It's almost as if he is a trance of some kind.

 

[Solid Snake]

Is there anything for him to hunt when he does this?

If so, does he eat?

How many/what days do you feed him?

 

[Bernie]

Is there anything for him to hunt when he does this?

If so, does he eat?

How many/what days do you feed him?

It would seem it has no connection to food at all. I tried offering a silkworm to him earlier to see of this would grab his attention but it didn't.

When he goes into his trance there is never any food on the loose.

He has food available everyday. If not then he is fed every other day.

 

[Psychobunny]

Has anything in the cage changed? There may be something that is scaring him or something he does not like. I put a towel down (a light pink one) in the bottom of my chameleon's cage to soak up the water. He was afraid of it but I did not know at the time. His colors got very brilliant and he kept staring down. He was moving back and forth on the branch almost shaking. He was like this for hours and I did not know what was going on. I removed the towel and he instantly became "normal" again. He will also do this when he sees my lawnmower. He will not move and stay in the same position until I take the mower away. it is weird he only does it once a week though!

Also, shiny stuff, or anything they can see a reflection of themselves on will
freak them out!!
I got one of those stainless steel hanging cage bowls and my veiled was terrified of it. I removed it and sanded its surface to remove the sheen and put it back.
Now he ignores it!!

 

[Solid Snake]

It would seem it has no connection to food at all. I tried offering a silkworm to him earlier to see of this would grab his attention but it didn't.

When he goes into his trance there is never any food on the loose.

He has food available everyday. If not then he is fed every other day.

Hmmm, I have my guy on a 3on, 1off schedule most of the time, and on his off days, he will sit up high, and stare down all day(looking for food).

I thought that may have been a factor.

Any other odd behavior you may have noticed?

Maybe he is becoming/getting over being sick?

Is it always the same spot?

If so, is it directly under heat/uvb/water?

I cant offer much else, other than to keep an eye on him.

He appears healthy, and not over or underfed to me.

 

[Bernie]

It's usually his sleep spot where he does it. However today he has done it in his basking spot.

I haven't noticed any other weird behaviour at all. When he snaps out of his trance he seems normal.

It's a strange one. There doesn't seem to be any pattern either.

Thanks for the input so far.

 

[xeonic]

My panther has done this before. When he does it I stick him under his basking light. It seems to recharge him and get him going again. How ever you said yours was under the basking light all day. Maybe he is getting sick. I agree with solidsnake. Keep an eye on him. And maybe fill out the how to ask for help list. I think this would be the next logial step to help the forum members diagnose any possible health issues.

 

[Bernie]

Just returned home and he was still in the exact same place. Just taken him out and given him a nice cool shower which has "brought him back to life".

I will be keeping a close eye on him and may take him to the vet for a check-up on Monday if he gets worse or begins to daydream again.

I shall fill in the "how to ask for help" when I get to my computer (currently on iPhone)

 

[Bernie]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Male panther, 15months old approx, in my care from 3months
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Most days (he is very sociable)
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? He has food available most days. Silkworms, Crickets & Locusts. I vary the amounts depending on how often I feed him. Gutloaded with fresh fruit & veg or bug burger (I vary it)
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Calcium Plus at each feeding and Dino-fuel dusting once a week.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? MistKing set for 5min periods 4 times a day. I see him drink sometimes.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Tested when he was young, nothing found. Brown solid poo with white urates
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 are the dimensions? Retibreeze XL 2x2x4ft
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Arcadia T5 12% 7am-7pm
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? Digi thermometer. 70F at the coolest point, 85F when basking
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Digi hygrometer. General humidy is around 50-60%
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Ficus/Umbrella
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? Cage is on a table and is in the corner of the room. Low-traffic area
Location - Where are you geographically located? UK


Current Problem - As already described in this thread

 

[Bernie]

Another observation is that he goes very lightly coloured. His usual colours are a vibrant green with bright blue bars.... He seems to generate lots of yellow and his green/blues go very light coloured.

 

[Brad]

How is Bernie? Is he still displaying the same behavior?