Picture check up from Petstore

[morpheon]

Glass cages . Improper ventilation unless it's the vented double door exotera (I think zoomed has a version out aswell) End of story, will always disagree. Lol just like dem vs rep, always a debate XD

Just like Eliza and Kiny tried to express, it all depends. They are not all the same.

For example, i couldn't reproduce at my appartment what the petstore is doing, partly because their ventillation system in the whole store is something i can not buy for my appartment, which means new and fresh air is constantly moving, including around the glass enclosures. To me, that means less ventilation holes needed. You can agree with me or not, this is what i believe. Also, i spent quite some time in the backstore to notice that all the glass enclosures were ventilated enough, and was not a concern to me. The only thing i do not like from the glass in this case is the possible reflection of the chameleon. But then again, some people may disagree with that argument and i respect it!

 

[OOOst16]

Look the threads started on here alone about chameleon petstore neglect are outrageous in numbers.... the amount of chameleon ignorance is astounding for 90% of major chains. It's left a bad taste in my mouth. Ecpesialy when I saw a dying vield in a jacks aquarium and pets, in a small glass no ventilation fish tank, he was laying on the bark chips, next to his water bowl, he was fully chocolate brown with his eyes closed, without even a single vertical stick to climb, only a log that was horizontal, And he was still for sale, they wanted someone to buy it!!!! Seriosly!!! I've never been so enraged, I mean they couldve atleaste taken him off of display to let him die in peace, but no, he was still up for sale. I even asked e manager, and he said ...."yup there's nothing wrong with him".....I then explained all the issue, and he was in denial, saying that "they let them sell until the animal dies".....being 16, i looked like a disrespectful teenager, but I cussed him out and made the biggest seen ever. Showing the mistreatment of the animal to anyone who would listen. I then stormed out.....that's why I hate chain pet stores. ( I've encountered 3 other bad petstore chameleon incidents swell, but this was the most dramatic ) ....privately ownd usually know what there doing, but are taken out by the corporate chains. Shame.

 

[kinyonga]

There is a chimney affect created in all glass cages when the spot light/lights are placed in the corner or along one side of the cage which IMHO glass cages are not a problem. If you know what you are doing they don't cause problems IMHO...but OOOst16. To each his own.

 

[OOOst16]

From the pictures, I'm quite fond of the petstore you posted, looks nice, except for the glass, but whatever that's not the biggest of issues, I'd like to visit that store, but I'm a billion miles away, so that won't happen. But yeah it looks nice, and I'm excited for your new comers.

 

[morpheon]

You are free to believe in whatever you want OOOst16. I think the main idea is to not put everyone in the same bag, that's all. You know, even if i really really like Kinyonga and i respect her very very very much, i am also not a big fan of glass enclosures, and she knows it. However, i believe that Kiny is indeed doing a VERY GOOD job with glass enclosures and i see no problem in her keeping her reptiles that way! Anyway, i bet she does better with glass than i can do with screenings! And as i said, for a petstore they are very good, even if it's not perfect!

Also, I appreciate your kind words about the petstore and about my very possible purchase! I will pass along your comments to the manager tomorrow when i'll speak to him. I'm sure he will be glad to hear it!

 

[Elizadolots]

I think glass is more challenging.

That doesn't mean it can't be done well, but when faced with a beginner, it's easier for all if they go screen.

But careful people can manage a glass enclosure.

I think this board often misses that difference.

 

[kinyonga]

I agree that screen is likely better for beginners...but I also think that with some instruction they can use glass...especially if they live in an area that is not hot or if they live in an air conditioned house in a warm area.

When I first started keeping chameleons (over 20 years ago) there were no screen cages...so I learned to deal with the glass ones.

morph..you are doing fine with the screen cages...and I love the free-ranging set up too! It doesn't bother me if people prefer to use screen cages...what bothers me is when people say "you can not use glass".

 

[warpdrive]

I think glass is more challenging.

unless you live in an area that makes screen cages more challenging then glass.

That doesn't mean it can't be done well, but when faced with a beginner, it's easier for all if they go screen.

unless you live in an area that makes it harder to keep your animal in a screen cage.

But careful people can manage a glass enclosure.

if you are not a careful keeper of your chameleon I garentee lots of problems even with screen cages.

I think this board often misses that difference.

I think this board often misses the fact that glass can be a better solution if you live in an area that that dictates it for the animal in question.

some of the reasons screen cages have become the defacto in the US is the population of chameleons being housed in states such as Cali and Florida....the most popular places to keep chameleons.
(in other words, if the northern states like NY/Maine/Penn had the population of chams that FL/Cali had and almost noone in the sunny states had chameleons like in the northern states, the defacto cage would be glass and you would see ultra large glass cages from the makers of exotera and such.

as well as the fact that they are FAR cheaper then glass (even if you build your own glass cage).

just my two cents, and that is coming from someone who has 5 screen cages and no glass.
one day I'll hit lotto and get or build glass cages. in the meantime, I'll just have to work harder then I would have to with my "better" screen cages.

Harry

 

[Carlton]

Back to the chams. They look good! I'd assume that the female is gravid if they are wc. She might not be showing it yet, but I'd start weighing her just to be safe and prepared.

 

[morpheon]

Ok, thank you for the warning Carlton!

Then, does anyone have a good suggestion for a not too expensive digital weighting machine?? I am not aware of the brands and options that are better for reptiles.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Did you ask if they had been treated already for parasites? If not I would ask that they be treated first before I bought them.

 

[morpheon]

No they have not been treated, and won't be before a week or two. The reason is to first bring them here ( in a week), the second reason is to have enough time to do some fecals. I won't risk to threat any chameleons for parasites if they aren't parasited! I also want them to get used to their new environment when i bring them home. Vet visits can be stressful, and they will have been moved around already a lot, so i'll try to remain their stress levels as low as humanly (or chameleonly) possible.

Of course, if i see any sign of health deterioration, i will see a vet in a hurry!

 

[chamelisa]

I'm a member of this forum and mine are in glass cages with screen lids...some are exoterras but most aren't...good thing you can't see them! I'd hate to make you unhappy.

I don't know how the veiled females live to be over 6 and some even over 7 and males even older in these cages when they aren't all screen. C. chameleons, dwarf jacksons, fischers, verrus, and many others have lived pretty long lives in them too....poor things.

Sorry for the rant...but I am so tired of hearing that glass cages are not acceptable. They need a little extra attention so that there is no water left laying stagnant on the floor of the cage, etc. but chameleons also don't have to sit up under the basking light all the time in order to be warm.

I think the stigma surrounds the fact that many people don't properly maintain the glass enclosure and neglect the animal inside. You are one of the exceptional keepers who know how to maintain a glass enclosure, obviously. But I do understand your need to rant.

 

[dodolah]

No they have not been treated, and won't be before a week or two. The reason is to first bring them here ( in a week), the second reason is to have enough time to do some fecals. I won't risk to threat any chameleons for parasites if they aren't parasited! I also want them to get used to their new environment when i bring them home. Vet visits can be stressful, and they will have been moved around already a lot, so i'll try to remain their stress levels as low as humanly (or chameleonly) possible.

Of course, if i see any sign of health deterioration, i will see a vet in a hurry!

for WC, commonly, they will have some sort of parasite. So, just be aware of that and plan accordingly.
as far as cheap digital scale, I suggest finding one at the kitchen department in stores.
http://www.google.com/products?clie...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CEUQrQQwAA

 

[morpheon]

I think you can already see that i plan accordling to the fact that they are WC animals, and also will have traveled a lot before getting to my appartment, which also means lots of stress!

There is no digital scale that are more worth it than others?? I think i'll make a post about it!

 

[kinyonga]

I like to wait until the chameleons have settled in for a couple of weeks before looking at the parasite issue. It can often lessen the load of parasites by allowing the chameleon to get comfortable first IMHO...and that lowers the risk of the body having too much "garbage" to get rid of for it to handle.

I realize that glass cages are not for everyone...I just get tired of people saying you CANNOT use them.

 

[morpheon]

you CANNOT use them [Glass enclosures].

I'd be a good news reporter, don't you think?

 

[kinyonga]

There's always one in the crowd! (evil grin)

 

[morpheon]

hahaha! *whistles*

Where is the angel smiley now!!

 

[Psi]

There is no digital scale that are more worth it than others?? I think i'll make a post about it!

I hijacked our food scale for weighting my reptiles.
I wouldn't bother spending more than 20$ on a digital scale.
All you need is a scale that can be reset (when you put a small perch or something the cham can grab on to) and can be read in grams(seems to be the typical weight measurement here) to weight the Cham.

My setup is rather ghetto, I use a small pot with some soil in it, then in the soil it's one of those garden decorations that vines can grow through.
Works like a charm.