Tongue control

[Spikers]

I have a 2 month old panther. When he shoots his tongue out to catch a cricket he misses by an inch or two and can not catch them. The only way he can get them is to bite them so I feed him in a cricket keeper with nothing for them to hide in. I am thinking it is a neurological problem. I have had other babies and have never seen this before. Any ideas?

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Vit A deficiency most likely. Start there.

 

[junglefries]

Usually a vit defiency or injury. Good news is they can learn to bite their prey and live healthy lives. One my fattest and healthiest chams ever was a biter. He was hilarious. Would sprint after them when the feeders were set loose in cage. Fat little thing.

 

[Bush baby]

I have a 2 month old panther. When he shoots his tongue out to catch a cricket he misses by an inch or two and can not catch them. The only way he can get them is to bite them so I feed him in a cricket keeper with nothing for them to hide in. I am thinking it is a neurological problem. I have had other babies and have never seen this before. Any ideas?

What's your supplement dusting schedule look like?

In my experience Tongue issues are due to calcium deficiencies. The tongue is a muscle and the harppon action of a chams tongue requires a healthy amount of calcuim to be present in it's system at all times. You should be dusting with plain calcium (without d3) at every feeding.

 

[kinyonga]

Tongue issues can be due to hypertension, infection, nutrient imbalance or even dehydration but the most common cause is a calcium issue...
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Habitats-Care/Chameleon-Not-Using-Its-Tongue/