Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there. Well I got a Veiled a little while ago. She is 3 months old, and awesome. Very curious and very active. Today she started doing something that looks kind of unusual. She will walk around and then stop somewhere, and then just stand there with her mouth open. She does it for quite a while. I would say anywhere from a minute to 10 minutes or so. Not sure if this is normal behaviour or not. I have not read anything about it, so I turn to you for advice or help. Thanks in advance for any help. And am looking forward to adding to my collection soon.

what she is doing is gaping. its usually caused by bad air circulation. what type of cage do you have?? any info would better help us figure out whats wrong?? temps, setup, diet???
-----
1.0 Ambanja Panther Chameleon - (Seppi) - (12/28/03)
1.0 Ghost Phase Leopard Gecko - (12/15/02)
0.1 High Yellow Leopard Gecko - (06/17/02)
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko - (4/14/04)

The cage is about 20 gallons. For now, it is only a glass one, but soon she will be in a wire/mesh set-up. Misting is frequent. She has both lights set up as well. Lots of greenery, vines, branches, cover. She has fed great every time crickets come in. Tried silk worms today, but she has appeared uninterested for the most part. She is in a part of my place where there is low traffic, and natural sunlight as well. Hopefully this helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

If she's in a tank with both lights and sunlight, she's probably getting overheated. The sun and lights will create a greenhouse effect. Probably gaping to release heat. Get a correct temp reading and maybe move it out of the sunlight. Since it going thru filtered glass (window) the UVB rays will not be very strong, if at all

Haven't been able to get a temp reading as of yet. But will get one soon. Both the lights are above the cage, so it's going thru wire mesh, not glass. I think that is all I can think of for now. Moisture levels are good I believe. Also she is quite active, and a fantastic eater. Thanks so far for the advice and help.

Gaping is a normal way for them to cool off - even in our big open cages, but if she is doing it frequently and for long periods she may very well be getting overheated, as was posted, and if humidity is too high with poor ventilation (screen top may not be enough) it could lead to upper respiratory problems. I am not saying this for "drama" just letting you know the possibilities.

When you say both lights I assume you mean one basking and one UVB. What are you using for UVB (brand and wattage) and what wattage for basking?

In the meantime you should get a temp reading. You can also blow a fan across the top (not into the tank) just to keep the air moving. A photo is always helpful if you have any

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (both MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog (for summer)
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

Alright, the lights are as follows. The basking light is a red 100 watt bulb. The UVB light is a 20 watt bulb. The fixtures are the ones you can buy at any reptile store, sorry forget the brand. Feel free to answer any questions. Hopefully this problem can get sorted out. Although she seems to not be doing it as much today. Thanks again.

Im guessing your 20 watt UVB bulb, is a day bulb, and doesnt really carry the UVB wves that your cham needs. There are two choices of UVB bulds. Mercury bulbs, which not only provide UVB, but also heat. These are better for smaller, taller cages. I use a few UVB tubes, made by ESU. this is the type that has a fixture, and they come in either 118", 24", 36" or 48" lengths. with out proper UVB or daily sun exposure, your chameleon wont stand a chance. They need UVB to grow, and without it they die.
-----
1.0 Ambanja Panther Chameleon - (Seppi) - (12/28/03)
1.0 Ghost Phase Leopard Gecko - (12/15/02)
0.1 High Yellow Leopard Gecko - (06/17/02)
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko - (4/14/04)

Hi,

Question...since you are using a red bulb does that mean you are leaving it on at night? If so, stop. Chams need a regular night time for their bodies to cool and sleep. 100w is definitely too much for a glass tank and a 3 month old. I only use a 60w regular for Luna in her 2x2x4 screen cage along with a 100w Mercury Vapor Bulb(MVB) for UVB

For UVB you need to supply her with something along the lines of ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 or comparable ESU brand - these are the most commonly used - or a MVB

Are you dusting her food and if so with what and how often? Are you gutloading your crix?

You said you think her moisture is good. My suggestion is to buy a thermometer/hygrometer. You really need to know temps and humidity esp. in a glass tank. Once you move her to a screen cage you'll have the opposite problem of keeping her warm - lol! well, that depends where you live. Anyway, here is a link to HD's temp gauge that I use...just an example

lele

temp gauge

-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (both MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog (for summer)
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

A 100 watt bulb is way too hot for a 20 gallon tank. I suggest a 35 - 45 watt bulb.