Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Rickeezee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:47 am Post subject: Sleep Observations Chameleons

I have been observing my chameleons whilst they sleep.

Last night I had a panic; Franz F. (male Panther), was sleeping with his mouth open and his tongue ever so slightly hanging out! This alarmed me. I woke him up to check he was OK, HE DID NOT APPRECIATE THIS BUT i WAS WORRIED.

I kept a vigil on him all night, he closed his mouth, no further problems seems fine today, the temps for nighttime were 100% spot on.

The male Yemen Alfie; since his recent mating exploits, has taken to sleeping out in the open, usually he curls up in the large fig tree in his viv.
Now he sleeps at the front of the viv stretched flat out on a bare branch fully exposed. His tail sticking straight out behind him in a very stiff manner, looks quite funny! Have not taken a pic as I don't want to startle him.

The two female Panthers; used to sleep in their vivs out of sight hidden in the plants. Both of them now sleep right in the middle of their vivs. Totally exposed without any cover. I can only interpret this as them feeling safe and secure?

I would be interested in hearing other peoples experiences of the sleeping habits of their chams please.

Please feel free to make any comments on the aforementioned sleep habits of my chams, and any ideas as to their behaviours. Thanks.

Rick Very Happy

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Scott W · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:04 am Post subject:

Hi Rick,

Sounds like they are truely settled in, one of the main points to look for with chameleons when they are sleeping is the tail, it should really be coiled up, although if it's positioned along a branch that is probably ok to, it's just when it's 'hanging loose' that it's a sign of possible problems.

In the wild a lot of animals will sleep out on the ends of branches (thinner the better), this is to give them fair warning that a predator is sneaking up on them, they will then quite often just release and drop to the ground. I'm pretty sure chameleons are a prime example of this behaviour. I notice my baby yemens will just drop off what ever they are holding when I try to catch them for cleaning out or packing etc. So far I haven't had any injury from these falls, even when they have manged to drop out the cage onto the concrete floor 4ft below Shocked

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Rickeezee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:08 am Post subject:

Good points there Scott, Alfies tail is just straight out stiff as a board, he usually curls it right up but since mating has adopted this new style of sleeping! I shall keep an eye on him though to ensure he is OK.

None of them have dropped to the floor yet apart from once by overbalancing.

Thanks
Rick
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Jan O · Key Member Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 360

I dont usually go in to see Loki after lights out, but last night I had to go into the room.He's a queer one alright, as you know his drab colouration had been causing me grief however when hes asleep he is truly beautiful!. There he was snug as a bug in his little sleepy spot his tail curled nicely and sound asleep.His chosen spot is half way down his ficus under a canopy of leaves which surprised me to be honest as I assumed he'd feel at his most vunerable when asleep and so head for a much more covered secluded spot in the viv, but after reading Scotts post it sounds as if he's settled and feels secure,
love Jan

Rickeezee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:32 pm Post subject:

Is Lokis colour lighter when he sleeps? Has he remained lighter durring the day now?

Rick
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Jan O · Key Member Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 360

Hi Rick, Yes his colour goes an awfull lot lighter/brighter when he's in the land of nod.His colours during the day are a dull green/mustardy yellow with blue spots around the neck! Told you he was a queer one.The only neon thing about him is the centre of his casque,
love Jan

linda · Key Member Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 442 Location: UK

poor thing.... i know if i wake my chameleon he is not a happy boy.
i did it once and he hissed so i leave him well alone.
im grumpy when im woken up so i know how he feels.. Mad

Rickeezee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

But do you hiss? Franz F. Did not hiss when I woke him but he gave me a dark look!
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Rickeezee · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject:

Just to call me a liar, all the chams are sleeping in completely different places tonight! Typical! Laughing

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linda · Key Member Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 442 Location: UK

hiss..... no, just bite ya head off.... Laughing