Reptile & Amphibian Forums

He is a few months old, about 3 1/2 inches. He has been shaking lately when I take him out, but not stressing (Stress colors), and then he has been shaking a little bit when he walks. I was just wondering what was up...Other than that, hes perfectly healthy, he eats and stuff. I havent seen him drink in a while though, when I first got him he used to drink when i sprayed the leaves and such, but now I really dont see him drink...

Hi,
Can you describe some more of his care and cage?
How often do you supplement?
Does he have UVB lights? How often do you feed him and are the crickets gutloaded?

Just a few questions, im sure others will have more.

Erin

>>He is a few months old, about 3 1/2 inches. He has been shaking lately when I take him out, but not stressing (Stress colors), and then he has been shaking a little bit when he walks. I was just wondering what was up...Other than that, hes perfectly healthy, he eats and stuff. I havent seen him drink in a while though, when I first got him he used to drink when i sprayed the leaves and such, but now I really dont see him drink...
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1:0 Veileds (Gene, RIP Aurora)
1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
Various cats and dogs

It could be the beginning of MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). When they are young and growing they need a good supply of calcium.

What are you feeding?
are you gutloading your feeders?
What supplements are you using?
How often?
what brand of UVB light do you use?
how long is it on?
what are your temps and humidity?
is he in screened or glass?
Is misting the only way you give water?

answers to these questions will be helpful

lele

..Other than that, hes perfectly healthy, he eats and stuff. I havent seen him drink in a while though, when I first got him he used to drink when i sprayed the leaves and such, but now I really dont see him drink...
>>-----
>>1:0 Veileds (Gene, RIP Aurora)
>>1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
>>?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
>>Various cats and dogs
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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!)

I use a 2 Foot High Screened in Enclosure, Nice one for a little guy like him. I was using a 100 watt Repti lite that broke yesterday, so I have to buy a new one today actaully. For now, I just put in a regular lightbulb so he gets some heat. I have a Florescent on top of that as well. I feed him everyday about 10 crickets or so...Gud loaded with cricket feeder, and I coat them with Reptivite. My only source of feeding him water is Misting, and the occasional ice cube on top of the cage...

Could this be a sign of Hydration? Because Today I just went with Ice cubes, and he ran at the first sight of them. He was even climbing the top of the cage to get to them, once he did, he was drinking for a while...

Yes, that definitely sounds like the fella needs more water! You can make or buy a dripper. I used to use a plastic cup with a tiny hole in the bottom as a dripper. I found that it puddled on the screen a lot so I got a "Little Dripper" with the valve and it works just fine. All you need is a catch basin for overflow (be sure to empty daily so bacteria and fungus do need settle in) and have it drip on a leaf so he can drink. Watch his behavior and see if he has a preferred spot for it. Luna's is in a corner with lots of foliage so she sort of hides and takes a shower or gets a drink. If it has run out and she is thirsty I will find her there looking up and then at me to say "Hey, how come it's not raining?" LOL!

Lighting question: when you say 100 watt repti bulb I am not sure what you mean. A mercury vapor bulb or is that just for basking?

Supplements. Don't know the ingredients of Reptivite w/o looking it up but you need a calcium supplement as well. It is VERY IMPORTANT. So the water is an issue but your supplementation for a young cham is crucial, too. Here is a site to go to and read the articles on calcium, label ingredient and others on nutrition

also check out this article on MBD:
http://webhome.idirect.com/~chameleon/feature/

chamnews

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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!)