My big guy's on his way out...

[Eric Adrignola]

After about 8 years (can't remember if he's over 7 or over 8 years old), my favorite veiled chameleon (and the father of ALL of the calyptratus I have bred in the past decade), is passing on.

He's been in a state of decline since last Fall, and had managed to mate one last time just this March. Dirty old man was potent to the end!

Yesterday was the first day he's refused food - ever - since he lost his fear of me at around a year of age. Even this past week, clearly dying, and holding himself on the branch by just his two front legs, he still clambored towards me to eat and drink. What a tough, and beautiful animal he has been.

I'm happy that I have another of his clutches incubating right now.
Better still, I have 3 of his sons and one of his daughters (whose massive for a female, and gravid right now!) to carry on his bloodline.

A few of you have some of his offspring - I hope they're doing well!

I told my 3 1/2 year old daughter yesterday that the big, daddy-lizard was going to go live with Jesus. Poor thing cried. She's going to help me bury him.

It's sad to lose a chameleon, especially one you've had so long. That mean old sucker has been with me so long, it's going to be sad to not have him there. on the other hand, it makes this the LEAST sad I've been in losing a chameleon - I mean, jeeze, 8 years? I'm happy he lived so long.

and when you consider that he was able to fertilize (and yes, they are fertile) a nice big clutch of eggs well into his 7th year, just 2 months before dying... that's the opposite of sad!

 

[Julirs]

What an amazing animal-a testament to your dedication!

 

[Chuck G]

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's always sad to lose one of your old guys.
Sounds like you will be carrying on a great line.
8 years is a good long life for a chameleon and I am sure you spoiled him with females and delicious bugs.
Good luck with the offspring.

 

[SoCaliSon]

It is so hard losing them. People who don't understand look at me with confusion when I tell them they become part of the family. But when they see the time, effort, and emotion, that gets put into making sure the Cham is Healthy and Happy they can understand. We invest so much in these beautiful animals it is almost impossible not to gain an emotional attachment. He was a beuatiful guy and there is no question that he lived a long healthy happy life with your family Eric. My sympathies...

 

[leela]

hes gorgeous sorry to hear it

 

[Miss becky]

sorry to hear that i mean i've only had my lil guy for 4 months n im so attached to him makes me upset just thinking of it people who dont understand obviously havent had a dearly loved pet for a long time i know ill be brokenhearted wen Amigo goes on the bright side though he looks like a gawgous guy and at least you have his offspring as a happy reminder

 

[mika]

Wow, 8 years?? You have obviously done an excellent job in taking care of him. I hope my veiled grows to be that old.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I'm sure he has lived a long and fruitful life with all the offsprings he has plus the about to be grandchams (?).

 

[Eric Adrignola]

I looked at a calender - I made an error. He was over 7, but not quite 8 years old. Still old though!

Thanks everyone. I've been working with them so long, I dont' get as upset as I used to. Thankfully, it still hurts when they die - I'll get out of the hobby when I'm not upset anymore!

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

I looked at a calender - I made an error. He was over 7, but not quite 8 years old. Still old though!

Thanks everyone. I've been working with them so long, I dont' get as upset as I used to. Thankfully, it still hurts when they die - I'll get out of the hobby when I'm not upset anymore!

Thank you for this thread. I remember at least one thread where someone asked what to expect as their chameleon aged. Is there an article anywhere about chameleon geriatrics? If not, perhaps you could write one. It would really be a blessing.

 

[jannb]

Eric, You don't have to be upset....I'm upset enough for both of us just reading about him. He's such a beautiful guy!!!! He looks like my little guy. I don't know what I'll do when something happens to him. I love him so much. My heart goes out to you and your family. Jann

 

[chamlover]

Eric,

I am so happy for you and so sad at the same time. Happy that you have shared almost 8 wonderful years together and are lucky enough to have some of his offspring. Sad that he will not be with you for much longer. My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope your daughter understands that pets don't live forever no matter how well we do. I second that opinion on an article about cham geriatrics. Maybe a few of you that have been lucky enough to have chams live to such a ripe old age can get together and let us know the ups and downs to expect and how you managed to have them live such a long, obviously happy life.

Debby

 

[Kent67]

My sincerest condolences. You and I have kept a lot of chameleons over the years and it always hurts to lose them. But, there are always those few individuals that really touch your heart, and I know how very different it feels when they pass on. I've had a couple of those pass in the last two years, one just recently . Really, after losing a similar aged panther that I had hatched in 1999 I really thought I was done with the hobby and didn't keep any chameleons for about a year before getting drawn back in. Your big guy is a stunning animal that I'm sure no one will have a hard time remembering all the good years you had him. With his current age plus the progeny out there and more to come, he's had a very successful life too.

It sure would be nice if they lived longer, though....

 

[Chamgirl]

He is a very beautiful Veiled and you have done very well indeed with him. I hope for his sake he goes quickly and doesn't linger on.

 

[Kat77]

He is beautiful, and I'm sure he is happy to have had you as his friend and companion for seven years. You obviously took good care of him. I'm so sorry for your loss, but the little ones will carry on his legacy. All the best to you and you family.

Kat

 

[reptimom]

Eric, so sorry to hear about your friend, but I know that there is a special chameleon heaven, and he will be up there running things before long!! God Bless!

 

[Eric Adrignola]

It's funny how they mellow with age. Up until about 2 years, he hated my guts. After that, he disliked me, but he wasn't really afraid - I could take him outside in front of a group of strange kids, and he'd eat from my hand in front of them.

From what I understand, him mating so late in life is very rare. They usually stop mating before they're really old. For him, it was even more surprisign, as he was semi-handicapped at about 2 years of age due to a severe burn impairing his rear legs.

 

[studiocham]

Eric, what a legacy he's leaving. All those years of clutches. And he's been immortalized in clay, of course. I still have that same pic on my studio corkboard, out of the sightlines of the 2 gals, of course. He's thrown some amazing babies and you've made new friends in homing them.

Still, never easy to lose one.

 

[BocaJan]

I am so sorry about the decline of your friend. Many people don't understand about us lizard lovers, but can understand about dogs. Go figure.

You will be able to remember him through his offspring which seems to be many. So sorry for your loss.

 

[mczoo]

6 years ago, I lost an iguanna i had for 14 years. i still have her picture in my small bathroom. It is never easy, but at least you will be able to see him in his offspring.

hang in there,

Sean

 

[Glittergloomgirl]

He is a beautiful boy.....