Stressed Female

[dmrich]

Hi All

I have just bought a young Yemen Female (about 5-6 months old), and already have a year old male. In the shop she was housed in a small flexarium, in a busy area with lots of people traffic, and I was amazed how green she was considering the amount of people walking past and pearing at her every day.

I brought her home yesterday and she is now housed in a Perfecto Chameleon viv which is mainly mesh but with two glass sides (side and front as have turned it on its side). It is situated next to the males large LLL reptile cage but as his cage is lined with bamboo panels it is unlikely they would be able to see one another. But she is very dark and spotty in colouration, and seems to be stressed when we are in the room. I just wonder if it is just the new cage that is making her stressed (it is similar in size to the shops flexarium and I have tried to lay it out in a similar way) and that she is still getting used to it? But how long will it take her to adjust do you think? Am I worrying a bit prematurely?

It also occurred to me that Chameleons may see flexariums as solid sided vivs which would explain why she did not appear concerned by the many shoppers walking past, and now with the glass front she appears exposed by her perceived lack of a barrier? Has anyone else thought this?

Perhaps I will put a screen on the front of her viv and on the side of his so that it gives her privacy for a bit and gradually remove it when settled.

Anyones thoughts on this would be appreciated ....

 

[carol5208]

I would just give her some time to get situated to her new surroundings. It is very stressful for them moving to a new place and often times you will hear from members on here who say their chams are dark in their cages when they first get them. You have only had her a short time. If you say she cannot see the male, then it most likely just the stress and nervousness from the new home. Give her atleast a week or so to adjust and then see what her coloration looks like before you make any changes again to her viv. It is possible also that she may see her reflection in the glass and feel threatened that is another chameleon. Just a thought.....

 

[dmrich]

Hi - yes was torn between making changes and making it worse or not do anything and nothing changes. I think I might make sure the glass is covered but leave everything else as is.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."she is very dark and spotty in colouration, and seems to be stressed when we are in the room"...its possible that she's non-receptive and may be working on eggs. Do you have a place for her to dig to show you when she's ready? Can you post a picture of her? Can she see the male? Has she seen the male at all?

 

[dmrich]

I think you may be right - he was pressed up against his viv pearing at her. Will have to create a visual barrier - she was lovely and green when she was held her last night so I think he might be problem!

She looks a bit small at the moment to start laying as she is only about 4-5 inches exc tail, but will have a sand bucket prepared soon. Try and get pictures of her up later.