Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I am not sure what is going on with my Caymanensis, Pete. I understand he is 8 yrs old now and the last couple of breeding seasons have been a bit annoying. I get that at 8 maybe he is getting serious about the breeding thing but his behavior this week has been really strange. I cant blame it on breeding as it looks like he is SCARED to death.

He acts like he is TERRIFIED of something. He jerks his head around like he sees things that arent there. He FREAKS if picked up. Like totally FREAKS to get away. This is a lizard that never truly minded being picked up. I am sure he didnt really care for it but he dealt with it gracefully and might struggle a bit but this is complete FREAKAZOID got to get away sort of freaking.

This is inside the house in the room he has always been in. Nothing has changed. I have wracked my brain on what might have changed in here or outside his windows. It is spring and there are buds on the trees. I swear nothing else is amiss. No weird noises. But he acts paranoid all the time.

I just dont understand. Has anyone else seen this behaviour?

Thanks,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Carole
I have seen this in greens that I have had in the past and I have seen it in my cornuta. I have not seen it often but I do remember it and I just walked away and let him settle down on his own. I dont remember it lasting more than the instance it occurred. I just came back after some time and he was fine. I have no clue what causes it, I just figured something spooked him. I know what your talking about, that jerky head movement like a scared bird.
jf

Thank you. He is still freaked out. It has been going on for almost a week now. I thought I figured it out this morning. I thought maybe his reflection in this curio cabinet thing was scaring him. We only moved it in here in late January. I thought the sun is at a different angle. Perhaps he can see himself when he is on his perch. I covered it this morning but again he didnt eat and is wedged tight behind the desk. I was at work all day so I couldnt observe him but it looks like he might still be freaked out.

Thanks again,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Hello, your description of his behavior matches my rhino's behavior a little while back. He started darting his head all about acting jittery. Next he would take off running across the room oblivious to anything in his way, even trying to climb a wall. His pupils would pinpoint also and I could wave my hand in front of him and he would act as though he could not see me. At the time I felt as though it was somekind of brain disorder. This went on for a couple of days and has since gone away. He has gone through this a couple of times over the past 2 years.
He is now back to his normal self again. I could tell when this was coming on because his first symptom was always his head starting to dart around so I would grab him and put him in his cage quickly before he might hurt himself. Keep me posted please-Dave

Hi, your description fits Pete to a tee. He is significantly better today. He is basking on his basking spot and looking out the window like usual. Am hoping it just passes and he gets over whatever it was. I would like to get him outside as it is nice out for once but am afraid as soon as I get him to the door he will freak out. Will just have to wait on that I guess.

Thanks again,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Well, Pete is completely back to normal. What a freakazoid. It is sure nice to have his old self back. Still no idea what caused him to be freaked for so long but am glad it seems to be over!

Thanks for the replies guys,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

I know I am weighing in a little late, but for what it's worth- The behavior you've described it identical to my cuban, and I have narrowed it down to my hat. I know this doesn't sound credible, but it is 100% repeatable and reliable... If I wear a baseball cap- he goes out of control. He won't try to bite, but the struggle and the attempt to get away are all in a complete panic, I feel bad for him because he gets so upset. Every once in a while I still forget, and it happens, there has never been an exception, and he reacts from pretty far away. I walk by the room and he dives behind the cabinet or some other sort of freak out maneuver. In any case, I'm glad he seems to be better, just thought I would mention it in case there is something about you that you didn't think about that might have changed.