studiocham
New Member
Yup, this thread has biological and cultural relevance. I know I'm not the only one who has a chameleon-shaped object (CSO)collection. Guests bring them, friends give them to me at trade shows, and I find them in many tourist traps in the Smokies... of all places. CSOs happen. Some are thought-provoking, some stupid, some horrific- or all three.
Here are some of my faves. What do you have?
These charmers shoot a rubber "tongue" upon rapid compression of the torso. The largest one is actually a mid-size version of a dog toy. It's tail also has this feature. Biological relevance: OK, the tongue action, but few know that the rubber degrades over time and actually achieves extreme stickiness. Squeezing real chameleons? Not recommended.
While we're on sticky tongues, this bodice-ripper of a "game" involves flinging the sticky Thermagel tongues at confetti flies. But look at the cute game pieces! Relevance: Yes, they have sticky tongues and eat flies.
This sticky-tongued undescribed Trioceros species did not even come with a game. He is sticky purely for the sake of stickiness. His packaging commands: "Catch Loads Of Fun With Your Sticky Tongue!" Relevance: Yes, sticky tongues. We get it. The back of the package has two fairly accurate paragraphs about chameleons, so definitely an educational toy.
These two, a 3D puzzle and a plastic "tube" zoo critter, are not sicky but apparently successful hunters nonetheless. Note the bugs molded to their tongue ends. Relevance: Teaches us that they are insectivorous. Neat.
A plant pot hanger, unusual for a chameleon in that it is also using its gular to hang on. Relevance: I've seen chameleons hang on plant pots before! That's a lesson in captive behavior. But the gular grip scares me.
Glow-in-the-dark, with suction cup accessory. Relevance: Everyone has seen a healthy roosting cham "glowing" in the dark.
This guy is a Thermagel squishy with the plastic beads inside. He looks like a Muppet version of a chameleon. Look at that "smile". Relevance: If your male jax is full of palpable "eggs" and is gaping, let's get to the vet.
Horror category. Relevance: do not do anything this packaging tells you to do to a chameleon.
Just found this guy yesterday. Please regard the package's rendering of an inflated crocodilian. It insists: "Laugh At Its Crazy Shape!" Or we will come find you. Relevance: it fills with air and puffs up- real chams do that. See, we learned something.
More to follow.
Here are some of my faves. What do you have?
These charmers shoot a rubber "tongue" upon rapid compression of the torso. The largest one is actually a mid-size version of a dog toy. It's tail also has this feature. Biological relevance: OK, the tongue action, but few know that the rubber degrades over time and actually achieves extreme stickiness. Squeezing real chameleons? Not recommended.
While we're on sticky tongues, this bodice-ripper of a "game" involves flinging the sticky Thermagel tongues at confetti flies. But look at the cute game pieces! Relevance: Yes, they have sticky tongues and eat flies.
This sticky-tongued undescribed Trioceros species did not even come with a game. He is sticky purely for the sake of stickiness. His packaging commands: "Catch Loads Of Fun With Your Sticky Tongue!" Relevance: Yes, sticky tongues. We get it. The back of the package has two fairly accurate paragraphs about chameleons, so definitely an educational toy.
These two, a 3D puzzle and a plastic "tube" zoo critter, are not sicky but apparently successful hunters nonetheless. Note the bugs molded to their tongue ends. Relevance: Teaches us that they are insectivorous. Neat.
A plant pot hanger, unusual for a chameleon in that it is also using its gular to hang on. Relevance: I've seen chameleons hang on plant pots before! That's a lesson in captive behavior. But the gular grip scares me.
Glow-in-the-dark, with suction cup accessory. Relevance: Everyone has seen a healthy roosting cham "glowing" in the dark.
This guy is a Thermagel squishy with the plastic beads inside. He looks like a Muppet version of a chameleon. Look at that "smile". Relevance: If your male jax is full of palpable "eggs" and is gaping, let's get to the vet.
Horror category. Relevance: do not do anything this packaging tells you to do to a chameleon.
Just found this guy yesterday. Please regard the package's rendering of an inflated crocodilian. It insists: "Laugh At Its Crazy Shape!" Or we will come find you. Relevance: it fills with air and puffs up- real chams do that. See, we learned something.
More to follow.
