Teaching your Chameleon to STAY - Part 2

[italian chameleon]

In the summer when I got my first chameleon, every piece of good information I received was from this forum. This website and the amazing kind-hearted people who make it possible actually saved my chameleon's life - when 2 vets couldn't. In saying that, I know personally that newbies rely heavily on this website for proper information. Some of the proper information that can be found repeatedly throughout this site is about proper handling, and the stress that can be caused. It should be kept to a minimum, and should not be done in a way that causes stress. A quick google search for "stress in chameleons" will display nothing but articles about the negative effects and illnesses that chameleons will experience under stress - many of them are life threatening.

I would also like to combat the idea of keeping chameleons in cages opposed to free range. Many people, like myself, spend thousands trying to ensure the proper habitat for their beloved pets. This website has a tonne of information that covers temperature range, ventilation, space, foliage, and everything all species of chameleons need to be properly housed. Free range is great, but most, especially those with other pet species, know the benefit of proper enclosures.

I agree with every word of your post and I'd like to add that free-ranging two or more chameleons of different specie together at the same time it's not a very good idea . it may work for some time but reptiles are quite unpredictable and we tend to remember that only when something goes wrong!

 

[Adashek123]

guys come on.... he didn't do anything bad in that video. I'm sorry to say it but you gota man up a little bit:/ in no way, was he abusing his animals. Putting his hand on top of a chameleon and in front of it does not seem sickening to me like it does to some people on here. He did not hurt the chameleon and the act of defense towards his hand is normal, as chameleons face this alot in the wild, MUUUUUCH more than you think. when I first read the first replyers comment to chad allens original post, i thought it was a joke at first LOL come on guys. for real now.

 

[Adashek123]

I mean its best not to upset a chameleon, but to say that its sickening and discusting? come on. theres alot of cham owners that know nothing about chams due to stores like petsmart and those chams suffer. thats what i call sick and disgusting.

 

[Adashek123]

Oh, and also, if you have your two males around each other, thats actually a terrible idea. In no way am I saying that its OK to have males see other males.. especially ALOT. like if their cages are not blocked off next to eachother. that will make a chameleon get very annoyed over time and could lead to other issues. But I watched the vid before I read the comments and I didn't laugh. I just thought it was an awesome display of the veiled showing some serious aggression. also in no way am I saying that you handle your chameleons this way... I see it as a video, not a daily handling routine of his. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND>> FOR THE REAL PURPOSE OF THIS FORUM.

that veiled is beautiful. I would of named him saddam hussein though lol

 

[Adashek123]

Should a chameleon's life be entirely stress free?

I say no.

My larger chameleons are all free rangers. They have their particular patrol areas, know where the best hunting is, where the fountains are and yes, occasionally encounter one another.

This causes them some stress, they all have fight or flight responses available to them.

I am certain that my chameleons are smarter and more adaptable than your chameleons because of their wide ranges of life experiences.

All of my chameleon keeper friends tell me how healthy my animals are and it's because occasionally they get a little stressed but always have a way to remove themselves from whatever is causing them stress (flight response).

The only time one cham ever inflicted injury to another cham of mine is between a male and female of the same species.

You know what is sick? People who keep their large chams in cages, that's what's sick. That's the worst stress of all and the chams can't do anything about it and die. They can't decide on what temperature they want to bask in, where they want to explore and what to do if they encounter another cham.

I bet you love to keep your chameleons in cages and away from each other, right?

besides the video

woa there, so your chams are in the free range together?? that's a bad idea right there. lol you can't let our chameleons come into contact like that, especially when your not around. that could lead to serious injury or death. NO OFFENSE to you but I suggest you change that ASAP... like now lol

 

[ChamAllen]

12 Years a Cham

Attention Chameleon Forum Members: Due to the controversy surrounding my video I am re-purposing it to put some historical background with it and mollify my critics.

This video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnBMeSOP2U&feature=youtu.be

"Is the story of a free born cham sold into slavery and the love/hate relationship of his evil white slave owner toward these chams. It also tells the store of the indomitable spirit of one brave enslaved cham who refuses to buckle under to his owners attempts to supplant his own will by forcing him to stay and the unspeakable cruelty of forced lizard on lizard violence. Riveting from start to finish."

Rated R for violence, strong language and full frontal reptilian nudity.

Also, make sure to see Leonardo di Chamio in "The Chameleon of Wall Street" this weekend. "di Chamio takes up where Gordon Gecko left off."

 

[ChamAllen]

Attention Chameleon Forum Members: Due to the controversy surrounding my video I am re-purposing it to put some historical background with it and mollify my critics.

This video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnBMeSOP2U&feature=youtu.be

"Is the story of a free born cham sold into slavery and the love/hate relationship of his evil white slave owner toward these chams. It also tells the store of the indomitable spirit of one brave enslaved cham who refuses to buckle under to his owners attempts to supplant his own will by forcing him to stay and the unspeakable cruelty of forced lizard on lizard violence. Riveting from start to finish."

Rated R for violence, strong language and full frontal reptilian nudity.

Also, make sure to see Leonardo di Chamio in "The Chameleon of Wall Street" this weekend. "di Chamio takes up where Gordon Gecko left off."

Sorry: Here is the live link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnBM...ature=youtu.be

 

[ChamAllen]

Here's the correct website for the video.

Sorry about that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnBMeSOP2U&feature=youtu.be

 

[Olimpia]

I've been keeping for a handful of years now, have had nearly 2 dozen chameleons, 6 different species, free-ranged many of them together (and used cages) and certainly don't treat them like they're made of glass. I don't baby or smother my chameleons, if I need to force them to take medicine I do, or if they need to be uncomfortable for a short while for their own good, so be it. But I've also never been bitten by any of them, because I don't manhandle them for fun.

You say they get stressed in the wild - and they do - but most chameleons only live about a year in the wild before they succumb to predators, fight injuries, or starvation/thirst. I don't necessarily call that a successful model to follow! Not when we know that we can keep them [at least panthers/veileds] alive and healthy for up to 8 years (yes, even in cages and a life with little stress!)

I think that you would find Osama a lot less mean if you would treat him with respect instead of baiting him for giggles. Even my meanest chameleons have become less reactive and defensive with respect and patience. Just a thought.

 

[ChamAllen]

I've been keeping for a handful of years now, have had nearly 2 dozen chameleons, 6 different species, free-ranged many of them together (and used cages) and certainly don't treat them like they're made of glass. I don't baby or smother my chameleons, if I need to force them to take medicine I do, or if they need to be uncomfortable for a short while for their own good, so be it. But I've also never been bitten by any of them, because I don't manhandle them for fun.

I think that you would find Osama a lot less mean if you would treat him with respect instead of baiting him for giggles. Even my meanest chameleons have become less reactive and defensive with respect and patience. Just a thought.

I've repented and given up my evil ways and paid the price. See image attached. For any of you who don't understand how this happened please see this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onnBMeSOP2U&feature=youtu.be