Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I know, the first thing everyone is going to say is that my Cham is over-heated.

But this is absolutly not the case, *if* anything it would slightly be too cold. The hotest spot in his cage is about 83, and he never hangs out there.

So why does my sub-adult male jacksons continuesly sit there with his mouth open? I've checked for mouth rot, looks perfectly normal to me.

I was thinking maybe it was because I was in the room (on my computer), or he saw my cat and got scared.. but this isnt the case as he does it at night too. (he doesn't do it continuesly, just randomly through-out the day and night)

What else causes a chameleon to sleep/rest with his mouth open? Cant be normal? It's got me worried.

Thanks!
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Randilyn -;,-
Desolate Gray: Reptiles

We never let our jacksons get over 80 degrees F.
They are a montane species - come from cool, damp climes - so 74-78 is great for them.

Try misting more often and a small fan to circulate the air, no need to point it directly at them - but they will appreciate the breeze.

Let us know...
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

just set a fan to blow over the tank? (referring to my leaf cham's here).

Lele,

On the vivariums for our leaf chams, we make them out of plexiglass. Not only does this not get as hot (as glass), but we can cut "windows" in 3 sides for ventilation. We apply fiberglass screening material over the "windows" - this allows cross-ventilation throughout the enclosure.

We rarely use glass tanks - because most the glass use in aquariums is unable to be cut. Sure, some tanks can be drilled by a professional glazier - but who can afford that for several tanks?

If you are using a glass tank - a small fan set on "low" sure couldn't hurt!

Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

I guess I thought because the humidity needed to be maintained having it that open never occured to me. I even had a piece of plexi cut to fit the top and I alternate b/t the screen and the plexi - to dry out or maintain moisture. What do you keep your temp and humidity?

>>On the vivariums for our leaf chams, we make them out of plexiglass. Not only does this not get as hot (as glass), but we can cut "windows" in 3 sides for ventilation. We apply fiberglass screening material over the "windows" - this allows cross-ventilation throughout the enclosure.
>>
>>We rarely use glass tanks - because most the glass use in aquariums is unable to be cut. Sure, some tanks can be drilled by a professional glazier - but who can afford that for several tanks?
>>
>>If you are using a glass tank - a small fan set on "low" sure couldn't hurt!
>>
>>Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

Lele,

You need the ventilation - otherwise the tank will grow lots of bacteria, etc. The substrate surface (soil, leaves) needs to dry out in between waterings (mistings). All of our vivs have screen tops too.

I keep most of the tanks at approx 77F during the day and avg 60-70% humidity. At night they get down to 70F and I mist before "lights out" - as they seem to prefer high humidity at night.

Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

Morgana,

the reason I got the plexi top is b/c at night when the heat would go off it got chilly and I would use it to maintain humidity and keep it a bit warm. Of course the heat is not an issue now but was as recent as a week or so ago ! It's been a cool spring! Now I pretty much use the screen all the time unless I need to boost humidity and then I put it over have the top. I did put a fan nearby to move the air around.
thanks, again
lele

>>Lele,
>>
>>You need the ventilation - otherwise the tank will grow lots of bacteria, etc. The substrate surface (soil, leaves) needs to dry out in between waterings (mistings). All of our vivs have screen tops too.
>>
>>I keep most of the tanks at approx 77F during the day and avg 60-70% humidity. At night they get down to 70F and I mist before "lights out" - as they seem to prefer high humidity at night.
>>
>>Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

I mist him between four and six times a day, and every time I do he totaly freaks out.. ANd it's not like I spray the mist directly on him. Once he feels the mist he immedietly starts running for the lower area of the cage -.-

A fan might help? Hmm... never thought of that.
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Randilyn -;,-
Desolate Gray: Reptiles

Are you using warm water - and a fine mist?
I use Hudson hand-misters, they hold about 2 quarts. I fill them with room-temp water and microwave the bottle for 2-1/2 minutes. The water feels very warm, but when misting, it cools down. Test it on your wrist... it should feel slightly warm - not too hot.

Most chams do not like being squirted - yes. Most of our jacksons don't like a squirt even with warm water... but a fine mist floating down over them and the leaves is usually welcome.

Do you have a drip too?

I use a fan in the room for all of our montane species (jacksons, deremensis, montium, quadricornis and rudis). They are used to cool breezes - but be sure it is a gentle breeze. Also, mist just before "lights out" and let them cool down for nighttime (down to 65 or so, if possible).

Heavily planted enclosures with places to hide in the cool leaves is the norm - basking is minimal. When the ambient temps are good for them - they are walking around.

Hope this helps,
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

It could be a URI. Hold his head to your ear and listen for a sound like rice krispies. If you hear it, than I would suggest a vet visit, he may need meds to get better. Also, when his mouth is open watch his tummy. If it goes in and out with his breath, he may be having to "work" to hard to breathe, also a sign of a possible URI.
If he does have one, once he gets better a fan will help circulate the air and keep him from getting another one. I have a coolmist humidifier that works like a fan andkeeps the humidity up for my panther. I found the extra circlulating air made a big difference b/c the air gets pretty "stale" in my room.
Hope he's ok!
~Lindsay