Worried about Ivy's behaviour today

[Trillian]

I caught Ivy eating a leaf yesterday and she completely freaked out when I took it out of her mouth, turned black, hissed and bit really hard. I thought it might be my nail polish design.

I put her on the window screen next to her enclosure where there was a curtain between us and she calmed down while I cleaned her enclosure. I didn't use any cleaning products, just paper towels and water. I rearranged it a lot though. She was still exploring at lights-out and I'm not sure where she ended up sleeping.

This morning she was on top of a crate, under a leaf and looked unhappy. She hasn't moved in an hour since I've been up, and is looking at me when I'm close, but doesn't seem very alert other than that.

Here are pictures of the new set-up in her enclosure, and where she's laying. I'm sure the enclosure needs more work (when don't they!) but I can't imagine her reacting like this just because she doesn't have enough walkways and perches.

Help form next...

 

[laurie]

They can react like that any time you change the "home". If she was eating a "safe" leaf, just let her have it. Lots of chams seem to eat plant leaves. You & Ivy are just perfect as usual.

 

[Trillian]

Chameleon Info:
[*]Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon.

Panther female, 6 months old.

How long has it been in your care?

2 months

[*]Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?

2-3 times a week to take her outside for half an hour or so, never had an angry reaction before.

[*]Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?

8 adult crickets every-other day, gutloaded with romaine, carrots, bug burger and this week apple, which I've just read isn't recommended. In between crickets she has 3 butterworms, a few phoenix worms and dubia nymphs. Dubia on same gutload as crickets, worms not gutloaded.

[*]Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?

Calcium Plus on the crickets and dubia, once a month herptivite.

[*]Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?

MistKing 3 times a day for 3 minutes, dripper twice a day in between. I haven't seen her drink for a while.

[*]Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?

Good colour, brown fecal, pure white urates.

Cage Info:
[*]Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?

Penn Plax HD: 24x24x48, all screen with perspex door.

[*]Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?

Reptisun 5.0, household 60w incandescent. Lights on 7am-7pm.


[*]Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?

Cage floor currently 22.1c, basking spot 38.3c. Lowest overnight temp 12c. Measured with digital thermometers with probes.

[*]Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?

Currently between 68% and 54%. Mister and live plants. Digital hygrometer.

[*]Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?

One schefflera and one pothos.

[*]Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?

Corner of the dining room, no traffic right by cage, but our downstairs is open-plan, so she sees some movement. Top of cage is approximately 5.5ft off the floor.

[*]Location - Where are you geographically located?

Just North of NYC.

 

[Trillian]

They can react like that any time you change the "home". If she was eating a "safe" leaf, just let her have it. Lots of chams seem to eat plant leaves. You & Ivy are just perfect as usual.

Thank you Laurie! It wasn't a green leaf though, it was one of the many dead ones my schefflera likes to mark it's territory with.

So you think she's probably just sulking and feeling a bit insecure?

 

[kokom05lb]

I'm not sure what time it is there. But it takes Ringo an hour after feeding to start moving around in the morning. Maybe she feels like being today lol

 

[Kate]

Sorry shes in the huff. Do you realy have basking temp at 38.5c?

 

[Trillian]

That's what the probe reads on the branch about 6 inches below the light-fitting, but she's very rarely up there, so I figured she was happy pootling about and self-regulating. It's different depending on the day too, I switched out the bulb yesterday, and it's much cooler this week, it was hitting 40C a couple of weeks ago.

This is why the 'Senior Member' thing is misleading! I'm still a chamelenoob!

 

[Kate]

Just checking. Lol. Dont you miss uk summers?

 

[Trillian]

This is my first time away from it! I miss aircon more! I miss loads of stuff, but y'know, they have more flavours of Pop Tarts here.

 

[laurie]

That's what the probe reads on the branch about 6 inches below the light-fitting, but she's very rarely up there, so I figured she was happy pootling about and self-regulating. It's different depending on the day too, I switched out the bulb yesterday, and it's much cooler this week, it was hitting 40C a couple of weeks ago.

This is why the 'Senior Member' thing is misleading! I'm still a chamelenoob!

I hate to ask but what is "pootling" about? Is that a british thing and why did she have to learn it, she lives in the US.

 

[Trillian]

I hate to ask but what is "pootling" about? Is that a british thing and why did she have to learn it, she lives in the US.

Lol! She definitely pootles, the tortoises do too! None of my other guys do though, no idea why! We are off for a pootle after lunch, going to go find the huge frogs around the lake. Makes a nice change from just pootling around the house all day! Check your guys, I bet some of them pootle!

 

[shaunaroxanne]

One of mine eats the brown, crunchy leaves sometimes. I used to worry, but he has always been fine so I just let him eat them if he wants. They must be tasty!

 

[Zubi]

Yeah panthers have been know for eating dead umbrella leaves. Mine does it all the time

 

[DavidBuchan]

You didn't mention that you were literally stealing food from her mouth when she bit you! That solves the mystery for me, no wonder she's sulking
You just let her calm down and have a little pootle around the new setup and she'll be back to herself in no time.
From the Oxford English Dictionary - Definition of pootle
verb[no object, with adverbial of direction] British informal
move or travel in a leisurely manner:
they were pootling down a canal in their new boat
Origin:
1970s: blend of the verbs poodle and tootle
Also, that is a pretty ridiculous basking temp. Down to 28C is enough for her, I'm sure she's self-regulating but being that hot at the top limits her useable pootle space.

 

[Trillian]

Thank you! I'll get a 40w bulb today, and make sure I keep an eye on her temps!

Yep, I stole food from her actual mouth, and even had a food-themed manicure to add insult to injury.

She's back to normal now and pleased with herself for stressing me out as much as I stressed her out yesterday!

 

[Kate]

I hate to ask but what is "pootling" about? Is that a british thing and why did she have to learn it, she lives in the US.

Its very necessary for Ivy to learn the lingo. Im sure there will be a few more where that came from. LOL