All you Florida cham freaks

[fox3060]

Ok,
So I'm a graduate in environmental studies and biology and happen to be a huge chameleon fan. I'm completely aware of the issues involving international pet trade and invasive exotics in the U.S. particularly Florida.
I respect and appreciate all cham fans, however like many other I am and have contributed to the pet trade and all issues surrounding it, i.e. wild populations of chameleons, monitors, agamas, pythons, parrots, etc. the list goes on but one thing is clear, we all have a passion for these unique critters.
Part of my curiosity is to locate where these critters that might be loose and colonizing parts of Florida. I know of multiple areas where settled populations of herps exist, however I'd like to find out where other established populations of chameleons may exist.
Some of you may not like this due to your sales practices, but I want to ask everyone in Florida if they know, have knowledge of, or are aware of any wild populations of chams. I'm not in it for the $$ (trust me, for numerous reasons) but I'd like to survey these areas and monitor any populations that exist.
As I've mentioned I know of a few locals in S. Fl where pops of cham exists but I'd like to find more. If you'd rather keep it on the "Down Low" and not public please IM me or send me a message if you have info. I respect any regard you have for their right to exist in the wild, even if their presence if a result of human intervention.

Fox

 

[Kat77]

I think this is a really fascinating topic too. I love the Florida Veileds, and have definitely had my curiousities about them. It will be interesting to see what you find out!

 

[nightcrawler]

i dont think you will get many responses

 

[wst0209a]

wasn't there a recent post about someone else looking for the sweet spot?

 

[nightcrawler]

there have been a few.
people dont want to give up that information.
if it turns into hawaii then people who give up that information will
get all the veileds killed on sight.

 

[mary prefontaine]

who would kill them? i always wonder how far north youve seen them?

 

[fox3060]

the farthest north I've heard of them recorded was around the the fort myers area, just south of Venice. Obviously, no specifics.

 

[PICHISPYTHONS]

i know where they are!!!!

 

[LaserGecko]

Just search the forum. There's a thread with a link to a document with latitude/longitude coordinates of a scientifically studied wild veiled population.

 

[fox3060]

Yeah, I've read the Krysco paper (and have actually spoke with him at UF) and have visited the site a few times. Thats one of the locals I know of. Looks to be that most of them have been collected over the years. I've heard of them popping up here and there along the road side just west of the the site. However, I have yet found any during night searches.