My chameleon is hissing. Why is it stressed and what can I do?

He may be stressed, angry or the temperature and/or humidity may need to be adjusted in his enclosure. Check environmental parameters and search the area around his cage for any negative stimuli. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or any discharge from the nose or mouth. "Gaping" can be a symptom of developing respiratory infection which needs immediate veterinary attention.

Are you sure he isn't going into a shedding period? Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially heat and UVB lighting. Low temps may cause stress which could cause him to become dull. Replace the UVB lights if older than 6 months. Mist him daily and use hygrometers in his enclosure to confirm proper humidity levels. Monitor for lethargy or decreased appetite. If necessary, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury.

Stress or illness are likely responsible. Placing dark colored paper around the lower 10-12 inches of the glass might decrease stress. If this doesn't seem to help, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

This is not uncommon with kittens that are not socialized well at a young age. The hissing is more of a reflex than anything and will decrease with time. The best thing to do is spend as much time with him as possible and try to handle him as much as possible. He may act like he doesn't like it at first, but he will get better with time. In most cases they stop hissing and become more normal within two weeks. If it's taking longer than two weeks, then it's best to ask the people at the shelter for some help, or another pet professional. I hope that helps and all goes well with Ollie.

The white spot on your Veiled Chameleon's casque looks to be shedding skin that has not come off yet. Mist him with warm water to aid in shedding. It is common for lizards to lose toes. What likely happened was some shedding skin did not come off properly and restricted blood flow to the digit resulting in the loss. As long as it is healed up, there is no cause for concern. The darkening of his colors may indicate stress. Survey the area in and around the enclosure for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, bright lights or cold drafts. Reduce or eliminate any if found. You can review chameleon care at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Veiled-Chameleon/

Thanks for reaching out about Charlie. Concerns would be a spinal or back injury, possibly while struggling. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic treatment plan. Back injuries are more likely to respond to treatments earlier than later. Remove perches and provide a comfortable surface on which to lie, such as clean towels. Good luck.

Survey the area around the cage for any negative stimuli. This may include loud noises, strong vibrations, strong drafts or high traffic. Reduce or eliminate any if found. Confirm proper temperature. If it is too hot up high, he will move to cooler temps. Be sure to gut load prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Dust with a calcium supplement as well as a multivitamin regularly. If the behavior persists, consider an exam with your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat illness or injury. You can review chameleon care a the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Panther-Chameleon/