Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello there!

I have a problem with my chameleon (well, I think it might be a problem).

I have an adult male Ambanja Panther Chameleon. I have had him now for about 4 or 5 months. During this time I have no witnessed him shed 'normally'. Periodically, he may shed some skin from his tail, and then some from his left legs, and now he shedding some from his back.

He just doesn't seem to shed all at once, and in fact, very rarely. I bet he's shed a total of once during the time I've had him!

Is this normal, and if not, what should I do?

He's also fairly inactive. He sits on his perch most of day, mostly moving when I put in crickets or spray his cage. During the weekends, usually mid-day, he will move to the other side of his cage to move under the basking lamp, but other than that, he doesn't really move.

He is quick however when I put in crickets.

Is this normal? My house is a usual 21-22 degress and he has a heat lamp.

Thanks,

Michael

Adult chams often shed this way. As long as he isn't getting old sheds stuck on toes, dorsal spines, around his eyes, or palms of his feet it's probably not an issue. Sometimes chams have difficulty completing a shed if they are dehydrated. What's your cage humidity level? Does he have a UVB light in addition to the heat spot? If the light or temperature gradient from the basking spot to the rest of the cage is pretty significant, he may be reluctant to move if he's a bit cool. But, if a cham is contented, not stressed, hungry, thirsty, or upset, they can sit in one favorite place for much of the day. Giving him more climbing routes around the cage and lighting more of it with "regular" fluorescent lighting may inspire him to move around more.

He has many routes to follow around his cage. I guess it's not that big of a deal that he is isn't always moving.

He does have two UVB bulbs, one 5.0 and the other 8.0 bulbs ontop of his cage.

I can't say of the cage's humidity level, but I mist two or thress times a day (and I think this increases humidity).

The last time my chameleon shed his feet, there was some shed skin which was stuck to his toes and feet soles. I helped pull those away, gently, although he did look angry after I had done so.

What does this mean?

Don't guess on your humidity levels. The cage is probably a lot dryer than you think. Get a good electronic humidity gauge so you'll know how fast it dries out after your spraying (and how much time the cham spends losing moisture in dry air). It does sound as if he needs more moisture to help those sheds. Dry sheds can build up on their feet, trap dirt and bacteria, and you can end up with ulcers or infections that are very difficult to treat.