Have you ever thought if chameleons are conservative or just lazy? I’m sure some of you have seen your chameleon not doing much all day or moving very slowly.
This makes you wonder if they are inherently lazy or it’s because of another unexplained reason. So, are they lazy, or is there something you need to worry about?
Chameleons aren’t exactly lazy, they are just very conservative even when being active. A chameleon’s activity depends on gender, age, time of day, environment, and condition. Your chameleon may move in a very slow matter as well, this doesn’t mean it’s lazy though.
Now before you jump to conclusions hear me out. Things may not be as it seems with your little lizard friend. Now let me show you some things I found out about a chameleon’s behavior.
Things That Affect How Much Chameleons Move
Several factors will affect your chameleon’s behavior in captivity. Though chameleons generally behave the same way, these factors will heavily influence their behavior.
Knowing what affects your chameleon’s behavior will help you be a better owner. In fact, having this knowledge may even save your lizard friend’s life!
Gender
One factor affecting a chameleon’s behavior is gender. Though both genders behave relatively the same all year round, there are specific situations where they will behave differently.
Males are generally more aggressive than females. Male chameleons will have heightened aggression and activity when they sense that it’s time for them to seek a mate.
During this time, you may find your chameleon more restless. It is best if you just leave him in his personal space during this time.
On the other hand, female chameleons will be more active when it’s time to lay eggs. They are able to produce eggs even in the absence of male chameleons.
Female chameleons will actively look for a place with the most sand to dig and bury their eggs. Take note that if a female fails to find a spot to lay her eggs, there’s a possibility of death.
Time of day
Chameleons are diurnal. This means that, like most creatures, they are the most active during the day. Day time is when chameleons move about in their enclosure.
They move around sticking to walls or go from branch to branch. This is also the time of day where they hunt for food, looking around for bugs flying about.
During the night, however, you will see chameleons do nothing else but sleep. They will not move at all or look for food during this time, chameleons can be quite deep sleepers.
Environment
The condition of the enclosure also changes how your chameleon will behave. Knowing what is optimal for them can ensure that you can make them the happiest they can be.
Poor living conditions can easily make your chameleon very inactive and lazy. On top of that, it can also stress them out and reduce their supposed lifespan.
Cage Size
It is recommended that an adult chameleon be put in a cage that is at least 2’ x 2‘ x 4’. These dimensions ensure that they have enough room to not only move around but also climb as much as they want.
A big enough cage allows them to do their basic functions which help them live a happy life. But what kind of cage should you get?
The cage should be visible enough for you to know what is happening at all times. Another thing to factor in is the ventilation.
Just like how you feel suffocated in a stuffy room, not enough ventilation will cause distress to your chameleon.
Airflow also keeps things like mold, fungus, and bacteria at bay since they thrive without airflow.
Design the interior of the cage to replicate their natural habitat as much as possible.
Include things like branches, rocks, sand, and leaves helps make them feel at home. This will make your chameleon as active as it can be.
Humidity
Humidity plays a big role in not only the behavior of your chameleon but also their health. Generally, a chameleon will need about 50% to 70% humidity depending on the species.
For example, Veiled chameleons will need around 50% humidity.
Jackson’s can survive in humidity levels as high as 80% or as low as 60%, with the latter being optimal.
Panther chameleons are comfortable being in anywhere around 60% to 70% humidity.
Using tools such as a dripper, fogging machine, or misting bottle can help you control the humidity level of your cage.
The lack of proper humidity will cause shedding problems, tail rots, chronic dehydration, and eye problems.
Low humidity also causes issues in their immune system, which may be the cause of their lethargy.
Sick Chameleons Will Seem Lazy
If your chameleon is a little too idle for your comfort, a more serious issue may be happening.
Even though chameleons usually don’t move much, it is not likely that they stay on the ground for a long period of time. This is because they are arboreal creatures.
Be familiar with your chameleon and learn its usual patterns. They can help you identify abnormalities when they happen, so you know when to take notice. So how do you identify if they are sick?
Signs of Sickness
Common signs of sickness include sunken eyes, skin sagging, rapid weight loss, weird colors, and lethargy. Your chameleon may be stressed as well.
This can be signaled if they lose appetite, have hunger strikes, closed eyes, abnormal aggression, or a temperature change.
Under stress, you may also notice that they rock back and forth a lot. Watery or very foul feces is also a sign that your chameleon is not feeling well.
Diet
Taking care of their diet helps you to monitor their health as well. Keeping them fed optimally with the right nutrition can ensure your chameleon is living healthily.
Live insects are excellent food for chameleons but not feeding them properly can give poor nutrition. Pet shop feeder insects are usually safe, rarely being sick or having parasites.
Fruits and vegetables can help provide extra nutrients, and vitamins but they are not their main diet.
Many people tend to make the mistake of overfeeding their chameleons with too many greens, making them uncomfortable.
Chameleons Movements Seem Lazy
If you still think chameleons are lazy, it might be just a misconception of how they move about. Just by observing them for a day or two, you will realize two things immediately.
They move in a very funny way, and they move very slowly. A normal person would assume they are just very lazy.
They usually move slowly jerking back and forth, using their grouped toes and tail to grab onto branches.
Chameleons move just like any other limbed vertebrate, moving the left foreleg and right hindleg and so forth. They also walk with an interesting gait to mimic the movements of leaves in a breeze.
Though there is no breeze in captivity, evolution has hardwired them to walk this way. The relatively short time they have spent being bred and in captivity has not erased this from their brains yet.
Conclusion
Chameleons may sit around all day and do nothing most of the time but that doesn’t mean they are just lazy creatures.
Understanding what affects their activity levels can help you take care of your little lizard friend better. Many factors go into what affects their activity.
Make sure your chameleon is living comfortably first before you jump to conclusions. Just like how you feel homesick during a faraway trip, your chameleon also wants to feel at home when in captivity.
A sick chameleon is a dying chameleon. Knowing the usual eating, and digestive habits let you know if a visit to the vet is needed soon.
The next time you see your chameleon moving funnily, just think of it as putting on a show for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy it!
