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What is this spot???

AncientCritters Jan 24, 2006 11:35 PM

He was near the top of the cage by the basking spot yesterday where he spends alot of time basking and this spot was almost twice as big. There was a spot about this size on the other side thast is gone today. I was thinking it was a burn but there he is there everyday so its not hot enough to burn. And if it was a burn would it be gone so fast? Any thoughts???

Robert

Replies (8)

dcmander Jan 25, 2006 02:33 AM

It looks to me like this colors are just a little faded there due to shedding. Sometimes when chameleons shed their colors are lighter in the places where the dead skin peeled up last.

That would be my guess. From what I've seen burns are black and they do not go away much at all, and certainly not within a few days.
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1.0 Sunburst Veiled Chameleon -- Dexter

AncientCritters Jan 25, 2006 10:22 AM

I was thinking shedding but he just shed a little over a week ago

JimFlaherty Jan 26, 2006 08:30 AM

Dark spots or patches can appear when the animal is "bruised", just as we get a reds or purples or yellows on ourselves. If it is a bruise, it will pass in time, sometimes taking 1-2 months. Discolorations can occur from simple pressure as well, as we often see when a resting chameleon decides to move, and where its limbs were pressing against its body, you will see a clear outline. Not that it happened here, but a bug-bite can also cause a darkening. It could only be a burn in that location if the animal touched up against something hot, otherwise the burn would be where skin was exposed to excessive heat from light, and that is highly unlikely at that spot. It appears to be minimal at this point, and providing you see no actual tissue damage, I think you are OK.
The Chameleon Company

lele Jan 26, 2006 04:42 PM

not that I have an answer but you seem to be getting mixed answers.
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AncientCritters Jan 26, 2006 06:54 PM

The light white looking spot. It is on both sides.

JimFlaherty Jan 26, 2006 07:48 PM

Don't have an answer for you of the light spot, although it seems connected to the dark spot, and therefore the two may trace to the same causative factor. I would examine it closely, and try to determine if it is just a color thing, or if the texture of the scales is different. Different skin fungi are possible, but usually color-up brown-tan, and show significant dermal disruption. They are usually found in an excessive moisture, low air-flow situation. It does not appear to be fungal. Retained shed can also appear lighter in color, but is usual obvious, as it has frayed edges. If scalation and skin texture are still normal there, I would leave it be, but watch it for enlargement, or other change.
The Chameleon Company

FEENIEE Jan 27, 2006 03:33 PM

Happy Late B-day!!!!
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Feenie

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prismchameleons Jan 30, 2006 06:27 PM

Many of the answers given to you could be correct. However, it could be a burn as well if his basking light is too close to him. Chameleons can only feel ambient heat and do not realize they are burning if too close to a heating lamp. Just in case it is a burn, check the distance from his basking spot to his heating lamp and make sure he isn't too close. I have seen burns on chameleons and they start light in color and then gradually turn dark. It can end up being a very nasty and painful experience for them.

It also could be many of the other things that have been suggested here. Keep an eye on it.

Hope he feels better!! He's a beauty =)

Jenna
Prism Chameleons
www.prismchameleons.com

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