Eyes

Eyes are without doubt the number one indicator of a chameleon’s health, they should be bulging and round and of equal size. They should also be open, alert and aware of their surroundings at all times during the day.
Chameleons that have eyes sunken into the orbit and are constantly drawn in should be avoided as this can indicate dehydration or other underlying illness, (although mild dehydration issues can be rectified with the correct hydration methods).

Any loose or baggy skin around the eye is also a bad sign and any chameleon that keeps itseyes closed during the daytime may have health issues and again should be avoided. If any chameleon is stressed, dehydrated or has an underlying illness the eyes are the first place you will notice this.

Mobility

Your new chameleon should be active in its surroundings and be able to move around readily in the hunt for food or exploring its enclosure. Always avoid lethargic animals that hug tightly to branching and cannot lift their body from the branches when walking.

Also be aware of any deformities or fractures in the limbs which can be a sign of metabolic bone disease (see common problems page).

Head

The panther chameleon has a low casque which is the part of the head behind the eyes and can be a good indicator of general health. The pads on the top of the head should be plump and take on a rounded convex appearance.

If the pads are concave and sunken in it can mean the chameleon is malnourished or dehydrated and is not in the best of health.

Tail

Panther chameleons have a prehensile tail that can actively grip branches whilst climbing and is almost like a fifth limb, it should be free of kinks or bumps and should be able to coil tightly when the chameleon is at rest or sleeping.

A chameleon that has a flaccid or uncoiled tail whilst sleeping can have underlying health issues.

Feet

Feet should not have any bumps or swellings and their pincer like grip should be firm.

If you hold a chameleon on your hand and slowly turn your hand upside down (whilst holding your other hand underneath to prevent them falling) the chameleons grip should remain strong and it should be able to climb back upright onto the top of your hand without a problem.

A poor grip usually indicates a weak chameleon.

Tongue

The tongue is another good indicator of health and if you can get the chance to see your potential new pet feed then it can be very beneficial to you to observe for any tongue launching abnormalities and issues it may have with feeding. (see problem pages).

If you take all these factors in to consideration and you are very observant when purchasing a chameleon you stand a much better chance of getting off to a good start with a strong and healthy specimen.