There are many people who keep chameleons as pets these days, and they can be a lot of fun. Not only are they cool-looking creatures, but they’re also very interesting to observe.
If you have recently bought a chameleon, then you might not know a lot about taking care of them yet. It’s possible that you might have noticed your chameleon shaking when it walks, and this is something that has the potential to worry you.
Why would your chameleon be shaking while it walks in the first place? Is there something wrong with it, and do you need to call your veterinarian for assistance?
Keep reading so that you can get a better idea of why chameleons might shake when they walk. You should feel much more informed after you’ve read everything that you need to know.
1 – It Could Be Normal
It’s very possible that the shaking you have noticed is completely normal, and this means that you might not have to worry at all. Sometimes chameleons will just shake a little bit as they are walking around.
The reason that this is the case is that they might be trying to blend in like a leaf or something like that. You need to remember that these are creatures that naturally try to blend in with their surroundings, and it makes sense for them to try to shake a bit like a leaf.
When chameleons step forward, they often want to be able to do so without being noticed. If your chameleon seems to be shaking when you’re around, then it might be that they’re trying to move without making you notice them.
This is just how chameleons are, and they aren’t exactly considered standard pets even though they’re becoming more popular these days. Chameleons have these instincts because that is how they are in the wild, and they’re creatures that use stealth to survive.
2 – Shaking or Swaying Could Indicate Irritation
Have you noticed that your chameleon seems to shake or sway while being still if you’re around it? Perhaps your chameleon is doing this while another animal is in the room or something else is going on around it.
Well, sometimes chameleons will shake or sway as an indication that they are irritated by something. Chameleons aren’t always the most social creatures, and they might not even act like they enjoy your presence.
If your chameleon seems to sway or shake whenever you enter its cage or try to interact with it, then it might be irritated by you, intimidated, or something else. Many chameleon enthusiasts have noted that shaking and swaying are indications of displeasure.
Chameleons can definitely get annoyed by their owners as well as other things in the house. You might have other pets such as dogs or cats that will cause it to sway or shake when they’re too near.
There are things besides other lifeforms that will get this reaction from chameleons as well. For example, you could be playing a television show in the same room that you have your chameleon in, and it’s possible that the chameleon won’t like the noise.
Your chameleon could be reacting to music, sounds that are coming from your neighborhood, or any number of other things. Sometimes it will be easy to tell what is annoying your chameleon, but other times, it might wind up being difficult to figure it out.
3 – The Possibility of Sickness or Bone Diseases
The possibility of sickness and bone diseases is something that you should be aware of if you’re going to be keeping a chameleon in your home. It is said that some types of chameleons grow too large too fast while being kept as pets.
In the wild, chameleons will grow at a more natural pace due to burning calories, having to work harder to get food, and other things like that. In captivity, chameleons will sometimes grow large before their bodies are really ready to take on more weight.
This can lead to significant bone issues that will make it tough for them to walk and move like normal. Metabolic Bone Disease is something that is a real problem for chameleons, but this doesn’t mean that the shaking that you noticed is an indication of disease.
Even so, it’s good for you to know that this can be a problem with certain chameleons. This is one of the most common medical issues that people will encounter when trying to raise chameleons, so you shouldn’t rule it out.
The best thing to do if you’re worried is to get the opinion of a true professional who can tell you what is up. This means going to see your veterinarian and getting your chameleon thoroughly examined.
If there is something wrong or if your chameleon is sick in any way, then the veterinarian is going to be able to tell you about it. Of course, you will need to take your chameleon to a veterinarian who is experienced with chameleons to get the best results.
It will be good for you to work with your veterinarian if something is wrong to help care for the chameleon properly. Follow whatever advice the veterinarian gives you so that you can make things as nice as possible for the chameleon.
Final Thoughts
When your chameleon is shaking while it walks, it’s most likely that there is nothing to worry about. Chameleons just kind of do that normally because they’re trying to move stealthily.
That doesn’t mean that all of the shaking or swaying is completely normal, though. There is the potential for something problematic to be occurring such as bone disease, but that will be up to you to figure out with the help of professionals.
If your chameleon appears to be in pain while it is walking, then you should definitely call for help. If your chameleon is just swaying and seems to be annoyed, then that’s likely due to something that is happening in its environment.
Raising chameleons can be a fun time, but it also involves a bit of work. Do your best to give your chameleon a good environment where it can thrive so that you can enjoy your time together.
I have a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When I’m not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, I’m at home with my wife, two daughters and a dog. Outside of family, I love grilling and barbequing on my Big Green Egg and working on projects around the house. Growing up, I had pet dogs, cats, deer, sugar gliders, chinchillas, a bird, chickens, fish, and a goat.