Posted by:
twinoats
at Tue Dec 21 10:35:31 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by twinoats ]
Because there is lack of scientific evidence, this can only be pure speculation from anecdotal oberservations of long-term keepers. I would say pining over a lost mate is doubtful in chameleons, because they are normally by choice very solitary animals (meaning, you don't see packs of them hanging out together in their native habitats year-round). And, if you've ever tried introducing chameleons together that are not in sexual receptivity, it is pretty obvious they in general *do not* like having another chameleon close by, even across the room or a large back yard, they get pretty upset just by the mere *sight* of another cham.
More importantly, the description you're giving of your male's current condition sounds alarmingly like hypocalcemic tetany, which is generalized rigidity of the body's muscles because of a dangerous lack of calcium. Low calcium levels can also cause tremors of the large muscles. It is impossible to diagnose a problem over this forum, but I would advise a trip to the vet ASAP to evaluate the described paralysis and shaking. It could be hypocalcemic MBD, or it could be anything, but it doesn't sound normal!
Be sure to evaluate your husbandry practices and set-up (age of UV bulbs, age of supplements, gutload formulas, etc) with your vet and/or experts found on this forum and elsewhere. Everyone has lost a cham or two for unexplained reasons despite the very best of care, but if you've lost a female recently to egg-binding and your male does turn out to be hypocalcemic as well, check over your set-up with a fine-toothed comb to make sure something is not amiss.
~Kerry
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RE: Can chameleons sense the loss of a partner? - twinoats, Tue Dec 21 10:35:31 2004