Swimming?

[Justin Carl]

Hello Fellow Forum members!

I was thinking to myself earlier...... not the easiest thing.
Has anyone ever tried to see if their chameleon can swim?
I did search it and found two good threads, but not as much info as i wanted.
Chris Anderson mentioned one species that swims, and had a picture of a chameleon underwater holding onto a rock.
Can a veiled or panther swim?

 

[Nicodemayo]

I dont think so. I'd like to see that pic of that chameleon underwater. Ive read somewhere that if a cham is stuck in a dish/cup with an inch of water it could drown. But i'd like to see some other answers too.

 

[Dean Pulcini]

When I soak them they put there heads under a walk fast . After awhile they calm down and stand still. always supervise they cant swim a lick like rocks.

 

[Justin Carl]

Ok, maybe out of curiosity.....the next time I give my chams a shower I'll fill up the tub a couple inces to see for myself.

 

[ken2414]

i wouldnt even experiment with a chameleon to see if it swims since they are always in trees, except for egg laying, there would be no reason why there would be a couple of inches of water in their habitat

 

[Justin Carl]

true......

 

[Dean Pulcini]

We soak the chameleons when they get dehydrated or to help them with shedding and to hydrate new wc specimens. I don't do it for fun or an experiment and how would you fill an enclosure with 1 or 2 inches of water?

 

[ken2414]

i thought you meant fill the shower with water and put him in it

 

[Justin Carl]

No, i give my chams a shower once a week.
Its a shower/tub.

 

[ken2414]

i dont give my baby one since hes still a baby

 

[FaunaBgirl]

I held my jackson in lukewarm water for a while until he made a couple noises but he never moved. Of course I had just accidentally stepped on him... :{ He's still with me and eating and drinking.
I see the spine as not being so ready for the swimming moves, do you? If there is a species of underwater chams, I'd like to see that picture too. There are salt water iguanas.... so.....

 

[Justin Carl]

type in "swim" in the search option.
It is in the tread "can chameleons swim"

 

[dodolah]

as far as I know, chameleon can't swim just like an orang utan.

 

[Chamero]

Haha Dod, are you watching Orangutan Island too. I saw that episode... Man I love Discov n Animal Planet. Anyone seen that new guy... Brady Barr or something like that.. I think this guys an idiot. Just thought Id share.

 

[dodolah]

lol.. I do watch that episode.
and I'm lucky enough to have experience caring for one -saved from illegal hunting- (only for 3 months though, when i was in Indonesia).

 

[Cale24]

Chameleons can float about for a while, but cannot swim.

 

[dodolah]

another reason why there should not be a tub full of water in the cage.
I do remember reading somewhere that chameleon might get content in the tub.
and fell asleep inside the tub and died drowning.

I don't know whether it actually has happened be4 though.

 

[Cameochams]

Just curious as to why you have that morbid curiousity of seeing a cham swim. Its like saying hmmm i wonder if my fish can survive out of water. If anything you are just going to stress the chameleon. I'm not saying that they dont enjoy being soaked or having a nice shower every now and then but swim <<<<<< that is the question. Not trying to be mean. Just my two cents.

 

[Cale24]

Indeed, my experiences come from local chams in my garden. They dance along my pool's perimeter en route to a chosen bush in the distance(on a windy day), and I've had to rescue a few guys who must have been blown in. They sort of wriggle around in the water uncomfortably, and are relieved to have a hand to grab onto. As such I always glance among the leaves in the pool...

 

[Chris Anderson]

Just to drag over the relevant truths on the topic for everyone...Here are a couple of the posts I made on another thread (https://www.chameleonforums.com/can-chameleons-swim-3143/) which were mentioned earlier in this thread:

Actually, yes, some can. Calumma hilleniusi is known to actively cross streams while hunting. There are photos of them swimming in Necas' book as well as a pic of one feeding while partially submerged in the water. Also, consider this photo:

Its an unusual behavior and not many species are known to do it but a couple do...

Chris

Referring to the second edition of Necas' book:

Will,

Its mentioned in a photo blurb on page 288 in the second edition. It doesn't discuss the stroke they use but the photo is fairly evident that some form of swimming occurs.

Chris

Yes, some chameleons can and do swim. I would not recommend subjecting your pets to it but some chameleons can.

Chris