Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I do not frequent these boards, but I need help with a problem I am having with my panther chameleon. I recently upgraded his cage from a 30-something gallon screen enclosure to a 270 g screen enclosure. The problem started happening then.

He is not using his hands. He lays on sticks with his arms and legs limp laying over the side. He is not eating well. He also keeps moving to the bottom of the cage. First thought is that he is too hot. I doubt it... it's winter. He never moved this far from the lights in his old cage. Recently in the mornings I have found him near the bottom of the cage (maybe 5 or 6 feet away from the lights) hanging by his tail vertical. He doesnt always have his eyes open.

I am not new to reptiles, I have kept all kinds of herps all my life. This has me stumped though. I tried putting a humidifier next to his cage with no effect. I tried putting a heater next to his cage, no effect. He is drinking via spray bottle, and we spray down his cage a few times per day.

Here are some photos of him and his setup:

I would take him to a vet ASAP. From the symptoms you describe, he is in some kind of trouble that needs attention right away.

In the meantime, since you said it started when you upgraded his cage...look at the differences. Is the temperature in the basking area still the same? Is the ambient temperature still the same? Was the cage new or used? How long has he been in this new cage?

Is there any substrate in the cage? Is he pooping?

What lights are on the cage? Do you gutload the insects? Do you dust/supplement them? If so, with what and how often?