that old chameleon

[Pumpkinface]

First off, hi everyone! I'm new to the forums, but I've owned veileds for years now. which brings me to my question, i can't find anything on the net about old age in chams. I want to know the usually symptoms of old age veileds begin to show. my 5 year old male seems to be slowing down, except when his new-but-still-too-young girlfriend is in eyeshot, the old guy gets a nice shot of vitality!

 

[laurie]

I have known of a veiled who lived 12 years. Funny because my sis called him old man from the day she got him. It is late and my brain isn't working but I will drag out a couple of books and get an answer for you tomorrow. That is unless someone gets info for you prior to me coming back to life.

Oh, welcome to the forum.

 

[Vampire.queen]

My book says that the symptoms are almost human- their joints can't move that much so they time to time can fall from the branch, their eyes can't see that well so some of them need to be hand-fed, they get pissed off from no reason as they want to be more alone thatn before etc.
5 years is quite a lot to get some of those symptoms

 

[Pumpkinface]

thanks for the info, i've been really curious about that. Orbit (5 year old male) had a respitory infection during the really bad winter we had. He just never seemed to get all his strength back. Our reptile vet did a follow up on him and he checked out. I just can't beleive thats the only problem because when i bought him, the breeder told me the males live 5 years. If her chams only live that long, i guess he's showing signs of old age. His grip is a lot weaker now, he's more stubborn, and his tongue doesnt shoot out too far. Oh and he's been on a cricket and veggie strike for many months. I gutload his king mealworms, but that's kinda like stuffing twinkies full of fruits ad veggies. And i give him veggies when he hisses at me ok, yea his diet sucks, but he's such a great mellow veiled, and I spoil him.

 

[jannb]

Maybe this old thread will help you:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/any-advice-old-veil-11367/

 

[Pumpkinface]

aw cool, thanks! that story hit home, because i can see Orbit have that same look of frustration when he can't climb stuff. He's free range when he wants to be, and it sucks seeing a cham stuck as a ground dweller. He's been eating more lately and he's been using things laying around near couches as ramps. And he actually curled his tail half way to avoid the water when i misted his cage yesterday. I've been giving him more real sunlight, letting him spy on the neighbors (TV for chams) and putting fruits and veggies in his mouth when he hisses when its time to go back inside. do i think that's helping? yea, a bit, but what is REALLY helping, is our new female cham, Cleopatra that likes looking at him, but is still too young to meet him. old letch.

 

[Pumpkinface]

here's a pic of the old man, and some of his kids.

after i took that last pic, i knew it was time to add more climbing sticks...

 

[jannb]

Wow! Your guy is gorgeous! Cute babies too!!!!

 

[Pumpkinface]

Thanks! I love his colorations and the shape of his casque. Alas, the turquise king Orbit doesn't always look so gorgeous...

he's not fat... he's just big boned... in the stomach...