Restlessness/over friendly Gus

[marisa]

Ever since I came home from vacation 5 days ago I have noticed Gus is extremely restless. He is *constantly* climbing around the cage, I even see him on the ground. And he goes down there are rips up newspaper and basically just cruises the cage somewhat quickly all day long, looking for an escape route it seems. He never does this normally.

When I walk in he starts pushing his head into the cage sides trying to get out and get to me. So today I opened the cage and he came speeding out up my arm. He just clung on me shoulder and calmly looked around for 15 minutes and he was bright green!. But as soon as I put him back in he is right back to being restless.

He is eating a bit less too I noticed, but still interested in food. Before when he would take a dozen crickets from me, now he will only take four or so a feeding. I used to give him like 5 worms which he would nail within minutes, now I have to entice him and he'll take two or three then leave.

Any ideas? Maybe this is normal? Looking for a lady? I dunno whats up but its definitly different behaviour than norm for him.

Marisa

[marisa]

Anyone have any ideas? Today is the same thing. Extremely restless, and not eating today at all. No interest in the food today at all and just literally losing it trying to get out when I come in the room.

When I spy on him he is also constantly walking around the cage, spending time on the ground as well. But not much.

Marisa

[meow_mix450]

Hmmmm hows the set up??? But when i moved mt chameleon into a tank for a few days, he became really restless, but one i fixed everything up he was fine, just a thought

Meow

[marisa]

Hmm same set up he has had for about a year now...nothing really changed at all. He is acting like a female iguana does when gravid, but I am sure he is a male. that is just a good description of his behaviour.

Marisa

[Trace]

Have you changed any of his cage furniture? Is his cage in a different position or in a different room? Have you changed the furniture or colours of the room he's in? Can he see his reflection in a mirror or window? What are his colours like when he's running about in his cage?

Honestly, I don't know what to tell you about his restlessness. I've got a few chams here that run around their cages like idiots all day, but never want to come out. As you know I've got others that will incessantly scratch at the cage doors begging to come out and be held. Maybe that's what he wants. Wasn't he a free roaming cham before you got him? Do you have a tree or something he can sit on outside of the cage? What I've done is prop a large branch in the window of one of my chameleon rooms and the restless buggers get put on there. They quiet right down and spend hours mindlessly looking out the window.

As for his appetite, certainly you want to watch that. Keep offering the wide variety of gut-loaded insects and veggies on daily basis. I figured his appetite would decrease after a while in your care. Make sure he does eat and maintain his weight. Veileds are also notorious for going on hunger strikes for their favorite food items. Hopefully this isn't happening for you. I have noticed here that my boys aren't eating as much either. The ones that could eat 24 or more bugs at a sitting are now eating between 12 and 18 a day. Their weights are the same. Definately the temperatures have dropped since the summer, thus my ambient in my cages is lower. I'm a firm believer that seasonal change does affect my animals.

Hope this helps... or at least gives you something to think about!

Trace

[marisa]

Hmmm yes he was indeed a free roamer before coming here. And he most definitly wants OUT! lol. For two days now all he wants to do is sit near my shoulder and gaze up at me like a love struck fool. He doesn't even climb on me, he just gets into shoulder position and waits for me to start doing my stuff. I am trying not to hold him to see how his appetite picks up but maybe I should try the opposite and give him what he wants (out time)

thanks for your replies guys. Its just really bugging me that he is acting so different.

marisa

[meow_mix450]

Ya sometimes i get worried, when really nothings wrong, shows that you care:)

Meow

[chamitch]

yea same with my cham. think it is the change in season and he is becoming a grown boy. haha

[wyz]

Marisa, what you are describing is exactly like what I noticed with mine. He just turned 1 year old.

He roams is cage more than ever and is apetite is now half what it was before.

I'm guessing it's normal, but since it's my 1st Cham. and can't compare it's hard to say.

Temperature did drop in the last weeks, surely it as an effect on them.

WYZ

[marisa]

Well Gus over over five years old now.....closer to 6. I have known him for four of those years and this behaviour is definitly new to him.

Today I took him out and he sat on my arm for a good twenty minutes...I also enticed him to eat some mealworms. But he is definitly restless still. I dunno. I guess I am going to keep taking him out for some exercise each day. Maybe it will help.

Marisa