Bringing Chams to Canada temporarily

[Gray]

Hi, I go to Canada for a month every year and will need to bring my cham with me. I have read online that reptiles other than tortoises, these animals can be brought without a permit or anything. I wonder if chameleons apply to the "can" list?

 

[Syreptyon]

I still think this is a really bad idea to do, especially as a first time chameleon owner. Most experienced owners would not consider this a realistic option... There are many other pets that you could choose, which wouldn't have their long term health impacted as severely as this will cause harm to your would-be chameleon. It sounds to me like your lifestyle is just not meant to include chameleons. It is unfair to as sensitive a creature as a chameleon to willingly subject them to this level of trauma twice every single year. I implore you to consider whether your desire to have a chameleon is worth traumatizing something you would love.

 

[Gray]

So this could potentially shorten their lives? I thought that they might just be stressed for a few days and not eat much. I know that heavy stress can hurt their lifespan. I read a page online that said if they sleep the whole way through the ride. they won't be as stressed. Is this false?

 

[Syreptyon]

Yes. Stress dramatically shortens chameleons' lives. Just because they are asleep does not mean they aren't stressed out. Sleeping outside of their normal time is a sign of MASSIVE stress. It is highly irresponsible to choose to cause stress to an animal like this when not absolutely, 100% necessary

 

[Gray]

Ok, this probably wouldn't be a great pet for me then. Even though they are really fascinating and interesting creatures.
I have considered other animals, such as bearded dragons but they don't interest me as much.

 

[Syreptyon]

Ok, this probably wouldn't be a great pet for me then. Even though they are really fascinating and interesting creatures.
I have considered other animals, such as bearded dragons but they don't interest me as much.

I understand. Chameleons are incredible animals, but I hope your love for them encourages you to make the right decision and not bring one into a lifestyle which is not healthy for them. Hopefully one day you will not travel so frequently and can give one a proper home

 

[Gray]

Im not trying to say anything..bad but what do you do when you go on vacation for your cham just out of curiosity.

 

[Syreptyon]

I would have one of my room mates take care of him. Although I'm a grad student and don't really get to go on vacation lol

 

[Gray]

oh cool, I could have one of my friends take care of my cham, its just i wouldn't want them to make a mistake or something.

 

[Syreptyon]

Asking a friend to take care of a chameleon every day for a month is asking a lot. They would need to mist multiple times a day, feed him, make sure there is always live food, etc.

 

[Gray]

That is true, i don't know of any places that take care of reptiles. Is that even a thing?

 

[Syreptyon]

I don't think so.

 

[Gray]

neither did I

 

[Gray]

Oh, i just remembered my dad comes back here to my house twice while I'm in canada to work. And i could have my friend thats next door come over on the week that my dad's not there. My friends sister comes over an watches our cat while we are gone. It would be a big favor, but he might do it. Opinions?

 

[Syreptyon]

I still don't like the idea of trusting non-chameleon owners with your chameleon for an entire month. It sounds to me like you're making excuses to make yourself feel okay to get this very expensive and sensitive pet for your own happiness as opposed to the chameleon's. I continue to believe that the responsible decision to make is to wait until you are in a better place in your life to own a chameleon.

 

[Gray]

Ok, you are probably right and should wait

 

[Gray]

its just you know...disapointing

 

[Syreptyon]

Better to be disappointed than to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to give a living creature a less than ideal life!

 

[Gray]

True

 

[Gray]

I was considering a beardie, but they need a 55 gallon tank at least and they are much more expensive than almost any chameleon cage by itself. The glass tanks also take up more space as its horizontal. Sorry this is not a all around reptile forum. But, opinions?