Veiled chameleon rolling around in substrate

[Bwaddell]

Hey guys! I just recently bought a veiled chameleon. He's about 4 months old. He was doing great until he got a piece of coconut substrate stuck in his eye.. I needed up taking him to a vet and getting him some drops for it since it was irritated and swollen shut. His eye's all better now, but I caught him doing something I found rather strange just the other day. I witnessed him crawl down from his leaves and branches and burrow under his moss, turn onto his back and started to roll around in the coconut substrate. As soon as he noticed me, he stopped instantly and climbed back up into his leaves and branches as fast as he could.. Does anyone know any explanation as to why he might have done that? It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! =D

 

[Kath44]

Not sure, maybe he's getting ready to shed and is itchy? How often do you mist?
I'd get rid of the substrate, he could eat it and cause problems.
Kath.

 

[Bwaddell]

I mist three times a day, for about a minute each time. And okay! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[ridgebax1]

Definitely get rid of the substrate. It is more trouble than its worth. Omar goes down to the bottom of his cage too but I have never seen him try to roll around, I have the bottom of his cage planted and covered with river rock so even if he tried he couldn't plus I doubt it would feel very good! Are you sure you have a male and not a female who may be investigating future egg laying sites?

 

[Gibboltd]

I was thinking what Ridgebax1 said. Is it possible you have a female instead?

 

[qdude46]

That's what I think, she may have been crossing a Lay spot but hen didn't want to be disturbed by you. Post some pics so we can determine this, of not, at a young age like that, she could go egg bound.

 

[camimom]

Chameleons dont really roll around in the dirt. they dont like to be on their backs.

post photos of your chamleon. and cage.

 

[Kate]

After having had substrait in your chams eye I'm surprised you still have the stuff in there. You have it covered in moss, veileds especially may be prone to eat it. It might be better to look into something different to line the bottom of your viv. Paper towel is easy to change when it's wet. I use reptile carpet which works well for me.

 

[Bwaddell]

Yeah, I live in a small town that doesn't have any kind of pet store, so I just haven't been able to make it up to the city yet to find him anything better for him! I switched it to the paper towel last night though! Untill I can get him reptile carpet! And I'm pretty sure he's not a femal just because he's got giant heel spurs. And he wasn't digging in the coconut at all, he just rolled on the top of it. I went to the vet here in town though and they believe he was just trying to scratch! He's only ever done it that one time, so I'm not quite sure the reason ahah