Veiled shooing tongue at substrate on floor.

My veiled Cham I just got (female, 4 months old) just today started shooting her tongue at the substrate on the floor,
Have any of yours ever done this?
 
None of my chams have done that. Are there bugs running around inside or are you cup feeding?
 
When you saw them go for the substrate was there a bug on it?

Ingesting substrate is a very serious concern that can lead to impaction and ultimately, death.

The general recommendation is to keep the bottom bare with just potted plants or go fully bioactive.

Can you post pics of the whole enclosure top to bottom?
 
When you saw them go for the substrate was there a bug on it?

Ingesting substrate is a very serious concern that can lead to impaction and ultimately, death.

The general recommendation is to keep the bottom bare with just potted plants or go fully bioactive.

Can you post pics of the whole enclosure top to bottom?

It’s the expanding when wet substrate, eco earth I believe it’s called. I’ve heard that it’s one of the safer ones as there are only very small participles of substrate but I’m still a bit concerned. And no there was no bug, just the substrate. I’ve heard that this is a common issue with veilds, eating substrate, can you confirm this?
I can send a pic of her enclosure tomorrow if it’s still neccessary, it’s 11pm here and she’s sleeping.
Thanks for the help!
And I will take the substrate away tomorrow and change it for just kitchen towel I think.
 
Sorry but ginger is wrong, this is normal behavior. Parsonii do it as well. How much is he eating? If it is smooth particles and not excessive amounts he should be able to pass it without problem given proper hydration.

This also seems to be more common with young chameleons for whatever reason. I've witnessed my guy(parsons) do this as well though and never had any problems arise.
 
Hey I learned something new :)

I've only heard of branches being chewed on. What's the thought process behind this behavior?

Honestly, Idt anyone knows for sure. Maybe it is like a source of fiber for them? Heck, maybe it's not normal, but in captivity it seems to happen fairly frequent.
 
Hmmm interesting... Sounds like another mystery of chameleon husbandry. Especially interesting if there is a higher likelihood of it happening with gravid chams. I should probably just go to Madagascar so I can investigate.
 
Hmmm interesting... Sounds like another mystery of chameleon husbandry. Especially interesting if there is a higher likelihood of it happening with gravid chams. I should probably just go to Madagascar so I can investigate.

That would make for quite the YouTube video too! Haha
 
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