You would have heard noises from your chameleon cage. If you have a new pet chameleon, you must be confused. You may be wondering if the noise was made by the chameleon or if it is something else.
This article will undoubtedly clear all your doubts. Chameleons do make noise, but it is not the usual noise. In this article, we discuss the noises chameleons make and their significance.
When Chameleons Make Noise, What is that Supposed to Mean?
According to scientists, chameleons make low-intensity hooting sounds in order to communicate with each other. These sounds are made at a level that is too low to be detected by the human ear, but it is thought of to be at the same frequency as the sounds made by other animals.
Why are Chameleons Mostly Quiet?
Chameleons are normally very shy and timid animals and hence they are mostly quiet. Generally, chameleons are quiet animals irrespective of their species. It is true, however, that some species are more aggressive, and veiled chameleons are a perfect example of it.
A chameleon is also both prey and predator. Although it is low on the food chain, and therefore needs to stay quiet to avoid being noticed by its predator.
The chameleon, irrespective of its species, also needs to find its own food i.e. insects. Therefore they need to move quietly and slowly, much like ninjas, in order to keep their prey from noticing them as they approach.
Chameleons prefer to stay alone and have their space to themselves. They do so in order to prevent being noticed by anyone or anything, even other chameleons. They love having their own space to themselves.
Chameleons don’t deliberately make noise. All the noises we will discuss below are not frequent. Most times chameleons are quiet.
See also: Do Veiled Chameleons Drink Water?
Types of Noises Chameleons Make
The following sounds may occur frequently from your chameleon, but they are mostly so soft and low that there are high chances that you won’t even notice them.
Nevertheless, if your chameleon makes any noises, you should pay attention to those noises since there are chances that there might be some kind of issues with your pet.
1.) Hissing Noise – Chameleons make hissing noises mostly when they are scared, angry, or anxious. They may also make a hissing sound if you get too close to them, see another chameleon or see you in bright-colored cloth.
Hissing is mostly associated with reptiles, and chameleons are reptiles. Therefore, this should not be surprising for you.
You must be aware of the fact that every chameleon has a distinct personality. Hence, some may hiss often, and some may do it occasionally. Some hiss that sounds like a sigh, while some hiss really viciously.
2.) Hooting noise – Don’t be surprised if your chameleon makes a hooting noise, they do make a hooting sound. Not all, but most do.
As per recent studies, scientists have found that some chameleons make low-level hooting sounds to communicate with other chameleons. Veiled chameleons make hooting noise the most.
3.) Popping and wheezing noises – Chameleons don’t make these noises too often but if they do, it is a sign of worry. Mostly they make these sounds when they are not well and have a respiratory infection.
If you hear these noises from the cage of your chameleon, the first thing you should do is check their mouth. If you see notice surplus mucus production, it might be an infection. Therefore, your pet needs to see a vet immediately.
Other symptoms of respiratory infection are loss of appetite, excessive mouth gaping, and clear refusal to bask under the heat lamp.
4.) Rustling noise – After hissing, it is the most common noise you will hear your chameleon make. Every time they move around through the leaves and plants, they make this noise. If your chameleon has a screen cage, you will hear the sounds of them scraping as they climb up its mesh side.
5.) Grinding noises – Quite a lot of chameleons do not make grinding noises. Basically, grinding noise is a reflection of anger. Chameleons get very angry when they open and close their mouths faster than normal. When they do this, their teeth crunch and grind, making grinding sounds.
It is a rare occurrence, and it highly depends on what kind of chameleon you have, since their nature affects their behavior.
See also: When Do Veiled Chameleons Stop Growing?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my chameleon making hissing noises?
Chameleons make a hissing noise when they are angry, annoyed, scared, or they get nervous. These emotions may rise in them when you wear bright clothes, they see other chameleons, or any other reason that makes them frightened.
Can I prevent my chameleon from making hissing noises?
Most of the chameleons do hiss now and then. Thus, you should not intervene and do anything to prevent them from hissing.
It is best to just leave them alone if they hiss at you. Doing so will give them time and a chance to calm down and stop hissing, hopefully.
Why is my veiled chameleon chirping?
When chameleons release air as noise, they chirp. This is basically a warning to others to stay away. They do this to fellow chameleons whenever they feel threatened.
Even though females are not known for lunging or hissing, that does not mean that they are less annoyed than their male counterparts.
Conclusion
Chameleons, even though they are quiet animals, do make noise. Chameleons do prefer to stay quiet but from occasionally you might hear them making some kind of noises.
If you hear an unusual noise, you should monitor it more, and getting your chameleon checked with the vet would be a good idea.
