Understanding Your Chameleon’s Behavior: Black Pancaking

Oh my goodness! My chameleon is currently displaying a striking black color, lying flat like a disc, and positioned on its side!

This situation can be quite alarming for inexperienced chameleon keepers, as it may not look typical. It's important to understand that chameleons can indeed exhibit such behavior; their coloration may vary from very dark to almost completely black. When a chameleon flattens its body, it may resemble a plate, disc, or pancake—a phenomenon commonly referred to as "pancaking." In this posture, their bones may appear more pronounced, and they might lie motionless on their side, occasionally closing their eyes, which can seem strange or even frightening.

What Should You Do?

Stay calm; there's no need to panic. It's essential to comprehend the significance of this behavior.

What Is Happening?

The explanation is quite straightforward: your chameleon is basking!

What's Behind This Behavior?

In terms of thermoregulation, chameleons are ectothermic creatures. Unlike mammals, which are warm-blooded and can generate heat metabolically, chameleons rely entirely on external sources to regulate their body temperature. They absorb heat from two primary means:

1. By convection from the surrounding air.

2. By radiation from sunlight.

Chameleons have a laterally compressed body structure. With the aid of their lungs and pulmonary sacs, they can flatten their bodies significantly to maximize exposure to sunlight.

You may wonder why their bodies are more flattened laterally than dorso-ventrally, unlike other lizard species such as agamas, spiny-tailed lizards, geckos, and iguanas. The answer is both spectacular and simple: chameleons predominantly bask while standing, which enables them to effectively orient themselves for optimal sun exposure.

Why Do They Lie in Captivity?

In a captive environment, we typically arrange heat and light sources above the enclosure for practical reasons. To efficiently absorb these rays, chameleons have to lay horizontally to maximize their exposure to infrared (IR) radiation and other light rays.

Why Do They Close Their Eyes?

Chameleons may close their eyes to protect them from potential damage caused by intense light sources, including the sun. High-intensity portions of the light spectrum, such as IR, visible light, or ultraviolet (UV), can be harmful to their delicate eye structures. Vision is crucial for their survival, so they instinctively avoid intense light.

Is It True That They Only Bask Vertically in the Wild?

Not exactly. While chameleons do bask by exposing their flattened bodies at a 90-degree angle to the rays of the sun, they may also adopt similar horizontal positions on vegetation, especially those living at higher altitudes or lowland species during the rainy season.

Why Do They Turn Black?

A chameleon's black coloration is an adaptation that helps it absorb more infrared rays. This adaptation enables them to gain the necessary energy from light more efficiently, strategically aiding in their basking behavior.

Remember, while it may seem unusual or concerning, this behavior is a natural part of your chameleon's daily routine. By understanding their needs and adapting your care practices accordingly, you can foster a healthier and happier environment for your remarkable pet.

Disclaimer: Chameleons use "pancaking" also for interspecofoc and intraspecific communication, aggressive behavior, antipredatory mechanism and it may be sign of disease, stress or feeling cold.