Fighting Chameleon Parasites through husbandry.
Is the subject of parasites intimidating to you? The good news is that you can effectively fight parasites without knowing the difference between a nematode and a cestode or having a microscope. You don’t even have to know they are there! In my class “Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites” many of the students are surprised to find parasites in their captive hatched chameleons! So many chameleon keepers have chameleons with parasites right now - and don’t even know it. I always encourage everyone to learn more about this incredible world of chameleons, but you can fight parasites with just standard chameleon husbandry.
How can I fight something I do not know exists?
Whether you know you have parasites or not, your chameleon is already doing the good work. What is happening, if there are parasites, is the chameleon’s immune system is keeping things under control. There won’t be a problem until there is a stress inducing condition that compromises the immune system.
Your best weapon - a healthy chameleon
One of the best kept secrets is that our chameleon’s immune system is the best defense against parasites. You are making the parasite’s life miserable just by keeping your chameleon in the top of health! The right temperatures, humidity, hydration, and nutrition are the first line of defense!
Your best prevention - Good hygiene
The standard lifecycle of almost all the parasites we are concerned about is that the infectious material, whether it be eggs, ova, cysts, oocysts, or any of the other stuff I promised you wouldn’t have to know, is sent out in the poop. And, from there, finds its way back into the chameleon’s mouth. So, there are two things that you can do to break this lifecycle. And these are things we all should do every day as part of standard husbandry! When poop hits the ground, you clean it up and disinfect the general area around where the poop was. And then you wash your hands thoroughly. When it is feeding time (don’t feed right after cleaning poop!) you either hand feed or use a feeder run cup. And, after 30 minutes, remove all food from the cage. If any crickets jump out or any feeder finds it way to the bottom of the cage you consider it soiled and remove out from the cage.
Is husbandry all I need?
It is true that providing top husbandry and hygiene will really take you far. But, by the same token, I would encourage you to learn more. Microscopic parasites have evolved to be able to find their way from being pooped to the forest floor in Madagascar back up into a chameleon’s mouth in the tree canopy. So let’s not underestimate their ability to continue their population. Whether your pet is showing any signs of weakness, do an annual fecal check with your veterinarian to verify no parasites have made their way in. They are tricky beasties. Medicate if they pop up.
My reason for writing an article showing how to break the parasite lifecycle without doing any research or study is not to encourage you to discount the importance of parasites or learning about them. They are a serious health topic. It is to say that you can set up effective defenses against them from the start while you are learning about everything else about husbandry all at the same time. Once you are passed the initial avalanche of learning the husbandry basics, that is when it is time to learn a little more about parasites. One of my standard husbandry practices is to have a microscope and check for parasites on a monthly basis. Not only is this good husbandry, but it is fascinating learning about the world under the microscope. It is just another aspect of this world that our love for chameleons opens us up to!
Summary of what we discussed
Here is your parasite fighting action item list :
Your homework for this week is to review your husbandry and hygiene and adjust as is appropriate! And, if you are interested in diving deeper, join my online class “Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites". You can find some details on it in the link below.
I hold great fascination with parasites and spend a good deal of time hunting them under the microscope. It means a better life for my chameleons, but it is also an expansion of my understanding of the world around us. I invite you to join this exploration!
I'll see you next time!
Bill Strand
More Information:
For detailed post, Podcast, and video links talking about the broader topic which includes all reptiles, click here: Fighting Reptile Parasites
Is the subject of parasites intimidating to you? The good news is that you can effectively fight parasites without knowing the difference between a nematode and a cestode or having a microscope. You don’t even have to know they are there! In my class “Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites” many of the students are surprised to find parasites in their captive hatched chameleons! So many chameleon keepers have chameleons with parasites right now - and don’t even know it. I always encourage everyone to learn more about this incredible world of chameleons, but you can fight parasites with just standard chameleon husbandry.
How can I fight something I do not know exists?
Whether you know you have parasites or not, your chameleon is already doing the good work. What is happening, if there are parasites, is the chameleon’s immune system is keeping things under control. There won’t be a problem until there is a stress inducing condition that compromises the immune system.
Your best weapon - a healthy chameleon
One of the best kept secrets is that our chameleon’s immune system is the best defense against parasites. You are making the parasite’s life miserable just by keeping your chameleon in the top of health! The right temperatures, humidity, hydration, and nutrition are the first line of defense!
Your best prevention - Good hygiene
The standard lifecycle of almost all the parasites we are concerned about is that the infectious material, whether it be eggs, ova, cysts, oocysts, or any of the other stuff I promised you wouldn’t have to know, is sent out in the poop. And, from there, finds its way back into the chameleon’s mouth. So, there are two things that you can do to break this lifecycle. And these are things we all should do every day as part of standard husbandry! When poop hits the ground, you clean it up and disinfect the general area around where the poop was. And then you wash your hands thoroughly. When it is feeding time (don’t feed right after cleaning poop!) you either hand feed or use a feeder run cup. And, after 30 minutes, remove all food from the cage. If any crickets jump out or any feeder finds it way to the bottom of the cage you consider it soiled and remove out from the cage.
Is husbandry all I need?
It is true that providing top husbandry and hygiene will really take you far. But, by the same token, I would encourage you to learn more. Microscopic parasites have evolved to be able to find their way from being pooped to the forest floor in Madagascar back up into a chameleon’s mouth in the tree canopy. So let’s not underestimate their ability to continue their population. Whether your pet is showing any signs of weakness, do an annual fecal check with your veterinarian to verify no parasites have made their way in. They are tricky beasties. Medicate if they pop up.
My reason for writing an article showing how to break the parasite lifecycle without doing any research or study is not to encourage you to discount the importance of parasites or learning about them. They are a serious health topic. It is to say that you can set up effective defenses against them from the start while you are learning about everything else about husbandry all at the same time. Once you are passed the initial avalanche of learning the husbandry basics, that is when it is time to learn a little more about parasites. One of my standard husbandry practices is to have a microscope and check for parasites on a monthly basis. Not only is this good husbandry, but it is fascinating learning about the world under the microscope. It is just another aspect of this world that our love for chameleons opens us up to!
Summary of what we discussed
Here is your parasite fighting action item list :
- Study the chameleon species care guides to make sure you have the best temperatures, hydration, UVB, nutrition, and a stress free life for your chameleon.
- Hand feed or use a feeder run cup. Do not allow free range insects in your cage.
- Any escaped feeder that makes it to the bottom of the cage is removed immediately and not fed to your chameleon
- Remove uneaten feeders after 30 minutes
- Remove poop as soon as it hits the ground and remove any leaves it hit on the way down.
- Disinfect the area the poop hit
- Get annual fecal exams just to make sure
Your homework for this week is to review your husbandry and hygiene and adjust as is appropriate! And, if you are interested in diving deeper, join my online class “Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites". You can find some details on it in the link below.
I hold great fascination with parasites and spend a good deal of time hunting them under the microscope. It means a better life for my chameleons, but it is also an expansion of my understanding of the world around us. I invite you to join this exploration!
I'll see you next time!
Bill Strand
More Information:
For detailed post, Podcast, and video links talking about the broader topic which includes all reptiles, click here: Fighting Reptile Parasites
