Least stressful way to move a cham?

[hinoco1225]

I have to move my cham to my new apartment tomorrow. This is the second time I've had to move her recently, but it will be the last time for at least a year.

The last time I moved her was Thursday, and it did not go nearly as well as I had hoped. It was about an hour and 15 minute ride. I figured the best way to move her would be to pack her in a plastic container with a wet paper towel for humidity, a few leaves and a small vine for comfort, and air holes (obviously). I also put the container inside a cardboard box so it would be dark in hopes that she would just nap during the ride. I thought she would be ok, but when I opened the box afterward she was curled up in a corner under a leaf, dark brown and terrified.

I know I really stressed her out last time, and I absolutely HATE doing that. So my question is, should I move her the same way tomorrow? Should I change anything about the way I packed her? Or should I just let her stay inside the cage and buckle it in to the front seat? (The cage is a 16x16x20 Reptibreeze and my cham is a baby veiled, about 3 months old and 5 inches total.) I don't really think leaving her in the cage is a good idea because during the move Thursday, the leaves were shaking the whole time and the plants shifted around a little during the bumpy parts of the ride. The ride tomorrow will be about an hour and a half, maybe 2 hours. I just to reduce the stress level as much as I possibly can. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

So I know people are gonna gasp when I say this...I just let mine ride with me!. That being said, how about a larger container? Like shoebox size but in plastic. I have done both, no ill affects with either. Except Krash is a back seat driver and always wants the wheel!!
ok, little late nite humor... don't Krash down on me!

 

[Elizadolots]

I think I would go with a cardboard box, air holes, something to cling to and, preferably, another person to hold the box while the car is being driven. If you can have someone hold the chameleon then that person will be sort of a natural shock absorber.

 

[summoner12]

I put my chams in a shoe box a bit bigger than them, toss in some paper towel and then cover them up in total darkness. they fall asleep and that is it.

 

[hallenhe]

A stably-anchored stick to hold onto is helpful. I tried moving mine in a cage and, as you said the plants bounced around and he was Not Happy. In that case, it was an 11 hour drive, my options at the time were limited and I let him out; he rode sitting on top of the cage for 10.5 hours. Anchored stick in a dark but breathable box is the more secure option.

 

[thephotoprincess]

So I know people are gonna gasp when I say this...I just let mine ride with me!. That being said, how about a larger container? Like shoebox size but in plastic. I have done both, no ill affects with either. Except Krash is a back seat driver and always wants the wheel!!
ok, little late nite humor... don't Krash down on me!

I do too! I have a travel cage/carrier but they prefer to be out and sit on the back of the seat ... or on someones head!

 

[clarkrw3]

When I have had to take mine to the vet I have used a small cage like you have. I made sure that the branches were well attached and put a large beach towel over the cage. It seemed to work well without any stress colors.

 

[bikesforme]

i did the same as clark and it worked out well for me also

 

[sandrachameleon]

I use shoe boxes.
I try to move the anxious ones only in the evenings.

 

[hinoco1225]

Ok, thanks everybody! I will wait till later tonight to leave and I'll try to anchor a stick in there for her.

 

[panther]

I travel with my cham in a Bird cage or plastic rabbit traveling cage. Is better to have branches for him to hold on to. So far it works well for both of us, hope that would work for you too!