Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I find him on the panther's cage with his eyes glued to the smallest crack in the cover.
I am not a proponent of free ranging. It is much easier to obtain the exacting temperatures, humidity and watering in a cage that many species require. Having a ‘chameleons only’ temperature controlled room further helps with this. Many of us don’t view these animals as substitute children wearing colourful outfits and are quite happy to observe their natural behaviours as opposed to behaviours that are imposed on them by human interaction and/or anthropomorphism. Not having to worry whether I will step on a chameleon or a poop when I enter a room is comforting. I don’t have to worry if they are lost in a room or have eaten something they weren’t supposed to. It is easier for my lifestyle to have my chameleons caged and they are comfortable living in them. They are not aggressive or cage brave when I do have to interact with them.
In a larger sense, if one of our pet chameleons escapes the house it probably won’t cause a huge uproar in the neighbourhood but imagine if it was a snake? There are enough restrictions on our hobby as it is so let’s not give impetus to the people who oppose it to shut it down. Controlled and confined is something one has to consider when keeping herps, particularly when living close to other people who might not be so thrilled about scaly things and weird bugs.
That being said I do think that some species and/or individuals may benefit from living in a free range situation; these species being ones that have a greater tolerance for husbandry mistakes like the multi generation captive bred Veileds and Panthers as well as the more social species like Mellers and Oustalets. However there are many, many species that do not fit those parameters and in actuality are quite shy, outside of the fact that they need precise husbandry parameters to thrive in captivity. These species will not do well plopped on a fake tree in someone’s temperature controlled living room and will become unhealthy due to the stress of living so close to conspecifics, other species of chameleons and people. Trioceros cristatus is a prime example of a species that will not free range well.
It is a dangerous assumption and as far as I’m concerned a beginner mistake to say that free ranging will benefit the ‘happiness’ of all species and it should not be recommended in every situation and for every species.
I am not a proponent of free ranging. It is much easier to obtain the exacting temperatures, humidity and watering in a cage that many species require. Having a ‘chameleons only’ temperature controlled room further helps with this. Many of us don’t view these animals as substitute children wearing colourful outfits and are quite happy to observe their natural behaviours as opposed to behaviours that are imposed on them by human interaction and/or anthropomorphism. Not having to worry whether I will step on a chameleon or a poop when I enter a room is comforting. I don’t have to worry if they are lost in a room or have eaten something they weren’t supposed to. It is easier for my lifestyle to have my chameleons caged and they are comfortable living in them. They are not aggressive or cage brave when I do have to interact with them.
In a larger sense, if one of our pet chameleons escapes the house it probably won’t cause a huge uproar in the neighbourhood but imagine if it was a snake? There are enough restrictions on our hobby as it is so let’s not give impetus to the people who oppose it to shut it down. Controlled and confined is something one has to consider when keeping herps, particularly when living close to other people who might not be so thrilled about scaly things and weird bugs.
That being said I do think that some species and/or individuals may benefit from living in a free range situation; these species being ones that have a greater tolerance for husbandry mistakes like the multi generation captive bred Veileds and Panthers as well as the more social species like Mellers and Oustalets. However there are many, many species that do not fit those parameters and in actuality are quite shy, outside of the fact that they need precise husbandry parameters to thrive in captivity. These species will not do well plopped on a fake tree in someone’s temperature controlled living room and will become unhealthy due to the stress of living so close to conspecifics, other species of chameleons and people. Trioceros cristatus is a prime example of a species that will not free range well.
It is a dangerous assumption and as far as I’m concerned a beginner mistake to say that free ranging will benefit the ‘happiness’ of all species and it should not be recommended in every situation and for every species.
That's a very fair and well crafted response. Thanks for bringing another side to the conversation. I think you're very correct in that it needs to be done carefully with the needs and temperament of the specific chameleon taken into consideration. I will add that I think there is a big different between trying a permanent free-range setup (which I agree would be exceedingly difficult to provide the proper husbandry unless you are will to dedicate an entire room/environment) and allowing an animal out for a few hours of supervised free range time.
and allowing an animal out for a few hours of supervised free range time.
Unfortunately it has lead to alcoholism in certain individual specimens.
Cheers,
Trace