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another behavior question - breathing heavily/bloatiing lip

lilbitlizz Jun 30, 2004 10:47 AM

This kind of goes along with the post below.
Every once in a while (more recently) I've noticed my veiled bloating out his bottom lip really big and breathing heavily. What's that all about? He's usually fairly dark when he does it, too.

Replies (3)

T-Mac Jun 30, 2004 11:04 AM

Yes, it is the same as mine it is probably insecurity if you are movingf fast arond its cage he is probably in fear of you. This happens more when it is a baby. It will sometimes also open its mouth. Ihtink when they do that it is in fear.

lele Jun 30, 2004 04:34 PM

it's in response to what they interpret as a predator or other threat - probably you ;/

Ever notice when cats fight they puff up their fur and stand sideways? This is to give the impression that they are bigger and more ferocious than they are - your cham is doing the same thing. Be sure to move slowly around him, no fast movements and don't come at him from above or behind. If you are trying to handle him and he does this then respect his choice and let him be. Btw, I believe the fullness in the gular (throat) is actually from the way they position their tongue to swell it out. Cool, huh?

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

lilbitlizz Jun 30, 2004 10:21 PM

Hmm, so I shouldn't be worried about a health problem with the bloated lip/breathing heavily, right? Good. He's growing so drastically, and I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right! : )

I do my best to come at him low from the front when I pick him up, but he runs away all the time so I end up poking him onto my hand with the other hand from behind. Poor little scared-to-death guy, hehe. Shhh, he's been sleeping and he just opened his eyes - probably knows I'm talking about him. I love the bright yellowy green he turns when he sleeps.

Also, he seems to be a fairly cool-enjoying specimen, I replaced the Dayglo bulb with a 50 watt night glo, and he still never basks underneath it. At least he's stopped mouth gaping all of the time with the lower wattage bulb in it. I need to pick up a low-wattage daytime bulb though, so that he doesn't think t he UV light bulb is the heat source, which may be why he doesn't ever head to the darker side of the tank. ?

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