Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Its been 2 weeks in her new cage and usually after 5pm I see her spend 10 minutes trying to get out of the cage by climbing upside down on the screen top. Shes trying to get out it seems because shes not stopping to bask under the light.

She goes under the lamp and just climbs upside down and tries to push the screen with her body and head. She climbs up to the screen, tries for a minute then gets back down to her branch. Shes doing this over and over! Whats wrong? How can i keep her from doing this? OR is it just normal and im worried about nothing?

If she's still that interested in trying to get out, I'd think there's something wrong with how you're keeping her. Maybe temps, humidity, something. It's natural for chameleons to go upwards, natural (espeically Veileds who love the heat) for them to bask under the lamp pretty close, etc. It was mentioned that placing the cage high up might help and I would certainly do that if you haven't yet. However, if the chameleon is really acting like that a lot of the time, there is probably something wrong. Look into it and monitor temps and humidity well. Also, maybe there aren't enough branches, vines, leaves, etc. for her to hide in, or maybe she feels that passionate about exploring.

Either way, I'd really try to figure this all out. Whatever it is, if she keeps on rubbing against the top of then enclosure and trying to "push" the top off, she's going to hurt herself and end up needing a vet really bad. Veiled skin is easily hurt (it looks black) and bruised, although it usually goes away after a few days. However, pushing against mesh like that is likely to do more damage, so keep an eye on that and keep us posted.
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

It kind of sounds to me like she's looking for a better roosting spot. Maybe she feels there isn't a sheltered enough spot where she will be safe. The clue for me is when she does it...late in the day. There may not be a roosting spot that is a) high enough for her to feel secure, b) cooler and more secluded from view, or c) a branch that is simply comfortable for roosting (a thicker diameter branch with rough bark that's easier to cling to).

Thanks so much for the responses!

Shes pretty high up already. This is a big cage, her basking spot is about 4'10" up and the screens 6" above that. Theres not alot of foliage high up because i dont want it to block her basking light--should i put a vine ON the top screen? I have a humidifier keeping it at 55-60% all the time. Ambient temps are around 78. Shes got a constant drip all day and a sprayer that goes off 6 times a day. Theres a med size hibiscus plant in there and lots of cover below her basking spot. She only does this for 10 minutes at a time in the evening and after the lights go out she sleeps farther down in the cage in a vine. I really dont see her do it any other time. She turns black when she goes under the light but quickly turns green when she leaves I held my hand there (no digital thermometer yet) and its not hot to keep my hand there, but i do feel the UV rays.

Any help is appreciated. I want to make everything just right!

here it is

you may want to put more branches criss-crossing the cage more so she has more of a selection for both direction, height and comfort. When I first got Luna she did the same thing but it was when the lights went out. She was protesting LOL! as her previous Mom allowed her to stay up later. We have both made adjustments

I just moved her into the big cage on Thursday and I used lots of Kiwi branches & curly willow trying to make it possible for her to get anywhere she wants.

Check out John's pix (see link below) for a nice selection of setups. also, my recent thread about cages has some responses from others with photos.

What are you using for lighting? Do you have basking AND a fluorescent? Could she not be warm enough?? If she went from somehting much smaller the heat now has to cover a larger area. Is there something distracting her? Put yourself in her shoes - ah, mittens (cham's feet remind me of mittens ) and see what she sees. Watch where she is looking when she begins to go up. Does she do it after soemthing specific - like feeding, getting spritzed? hey, I'm just guessing here, but that's what I would do. I am having to make adjustments now that Luna is in a bigger cage for lighting, humidity, etc.

lele
setups

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles (Jaida, no name)
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - (still no names)

i would throw some sort of manznita branch in there. they really seem to like these, and your cage is a little on the bare side.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1.1 Furcifer Pardalis (Diego Suarez)
1 Chameleo Melleri

You guys are giving me some good ideas but i dont know what these branches look like. Kiwi branches and manznita branches? Hmmm Ill see what i can dig up.

thanks!

Ive noticed my girl only does this climbing ritual after eating late -- right before bedtime.

Perhaps ill take any leftover bugs out before then.

Yeah, then I'm with Carlton on the fact that she probably wants to sleep up high in the corner and can't find a comfy, safe-feeling spot. Everyone has made some terrific points, too, but it shouldn't matter whether you're using store-bought vines or natural wood if you provide a lot of options for the animal to go on them and mimic their environment as well as provide comfy spots for them
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

I get kiwi from my local florist. Call a few and ask if they carry them. they are usually used in flower arrangments.

>>You guys are giving me some good ideas but i dont know what these branches look like. Kiwi branches and manznita branches? Hmmm Ill see what i can dig up.
>>
>>thanks!
>>
>>Ive noticed my girl only does this climbing ritual after eating late -- right before bedtime.
>>
>>Perhaps ill take any leftover bugs out before then.
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles (Jaida, no name)
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - (still no names)

here is a link to a place that sells manzanita. i am pretty sure that they havea pic of it on there too.
manzanita

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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1.1 Furcifer Pardalis (Diego Suarez)
1 Chameleo Melleri

You can create an illusion of cover for her by weaving vines and foliage (silks work great for this) through the cage mesh around the top. It won't block the light much, but provide privacy too.