What is he doing this for?

[SaintJimmy]

I have asked this before, but got no responses. I find it very weird.
First pic is before, second pic is after.

He will sit and bask for about 5 minutes and then climb down the ficus tree down to the very bottom of the cage, and then he will look out the front of the cage, walk behind the pot, around the sticks at the bottom, and then back up.

Is he looking for a female? Or is he wanting more space? Are these his receptive colors?

http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/media/IMG_0572_zps5c86f679.jpg.html

http://s993.beta.photobucket.com/user/aurawave/media/IMG_0591_zpsf38de44e.jpg.html

 

[Ladybones]

He could be hunting and cooling down from basking at the same time

 

[SaintJimmy]

He could be hunting and cooling down from basking at the same time

Normally when he cools down, he will just move a little lower though. Plausible though!

 

[lovepicasso]

Don't know just what yours is doing that for, but Picasso will do something similar to that and I think it is just a routine they do to get a little exercise, because when he isn't basking he is on the move almost constantly.

 

[dlegare]

Sounds like he's just roaming around. My Cham goes up and down his Ficus tree constantly. He'll run around the rim of the pot, run around the base of the pot, up the side of his cage, and then do it all over again 2 or 3 times/day. Just being an active cham.

 

[camimom]

How big is the cage?

 

[SaintJimmy]

Don't know just what yours is doing that for, but Picasso will do something similar to that and I think it is just a routine they do to get a little exercise, because when he isn't basking he is on the move almost constantly.

Ah okay. It's cute when they do it, but I was concerned and wondering why, because he has never done it before prior to his last 2 sheds.

Sounds like he's just roaming around. My Cham goes up and down his Ficus tree constantly. He'll run around the rim of the pot, run around the base of the pot, up the side of his cage, and then do it all over again 2 or 3 times/day. Just being an active cham.

That sounds adorable. I guess he is just lookin around.

How big is the cage?

16x16x20.

He is around 6 months old (had him for about 3 months i think) so we are going to build a 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 5' cage soon.

 

[camimom]

The size of your cage could also explain his behavior.

He could be getting to big for it.

When my male was that age, i had to upgrade to an adult cage as he was always trying to get out.

 

[reptilover]

16x16x20 is definatly a small cage for a cham getting into adulthood. definatly time for a new enclouser! glad to see you have plans to build a bigger one and its definatly time to put that into effect!........ definatly lol.

 

[SaintJimmy]

The size of your cage could also explain his behavior.

He could be getting to big for it.

When my male was that age, i had to upgrade to an adult cage as he was always trying to get out.

16x16x20 is definatly a small cage for a cham getting into adulthood. definatly time for a new enclouser! glad to see you have plans to build a bigger one and its definatly time to put that into effect!........ definatly lol.

Yeah I was also thinking it was too small. Don't worry though, I am for sure going to build a new one soon.

Don't want him cramped up. Now let's just see if I can convince dad to go to home depot today..

 

[ChameleonMom]

I was just checking out your photo's and while the suggestions of a bigger cage are certainly viable solutions to your problem, I would suggest that you add about 2 - 3 more (taller) plants as it is pretty bare inside the cage you are currently using. Chams prefer an environment that has more foliage so that he can hide if he's uncomfortable being seen or, if he needs relief from the heat he can hide in the leaves and shade that they provide. I also noted only one light is on in your pics...there should be two on during your 12 hours of 'lights on'. One for basking (60w household should be fine for the current cage you are using) and a UVB bulb for converting calcium in the body. Without the UVB your guy will develop MBD and that NEVER ends well for your cham.

 

[SaintJimmy]

I was just checking out your photo's and while the suggestions of a bigger cage are certainly viable solutions to your problem, I would suggest that you add about 2 - 3 more (taller) plants as it is pretty bare inside the cage you are currently using. Chams prefer an environment that has more foliage so that he can hide if he's uncomfortable being seen or, if he needs relief from the heat he can hide in the leaves and shade that they provide. I also noted only one light is on in your pics...there should be two on during your 12 hours of 'lights on'. One for basking (60w household should be fine for the current cage you are using) and a UVB bulb for converting calcium in the body. Without the UVB your guy will develop MBD and that NEVER ends well for your cham.

Good news! I have a basking bulb and a UVB. Nothing to worry about.

Also thanks for the advice. My mom is letting me take her pothos plant but there is no way I could fit it in that tiny cage.

I guess home depot contains our main quest for today!

 

[ChameleonMom]

Ohhhh good! Glad to hear you have the required lighting for your cham...and Home Depot is always a good source for new plants. Good luck and keep up the good work!

 

[SaintJimmy]

Ohhhh good! Glad to hear you have the required lighting for your cham...and Home Depot is always a good source for new plants. Good luck and keep up the good work!

I should be fine on plants once I get that pothos (I may pick up a wandering jew or a bamboo too) but home depot is for the wood for the new cage we are going to be building soon.