What do do when on vacation?

[Jamescoop]

So im goign to mexico for exaclty 7 days...can i just load up my chameleon and leave a bunch of crickets in there? Or how woudl i fashion some sort of device to feed her during my trip? any ideas/suggestions?

I would have a friend come over, but its spring break and noone is here...

J

 

[dodolah]

best to get a pet sitter seriously (no relatives? friends? relatives of girlfriends? anybody?)
7 days is a long period of time for your chameleon to survive on its own.

you need an auto mister for sure.
but so far, i never saw anybody that has come up with a fool proof auto feeder that can operate for that long period of time. Sorry.

 

[summoner12]

Yeah... you really need to find someone who can at least come over every other day to feed your girl. If you do not have an auto mister then you should have someone come every single day to spray and feed her. If they can only come by once a day..... then they need to mist her for at least 10 minutes to make sure she drinks.

 

[Jamescoop]

ive got an automatic mister...not a problem

I saw somewhere where it used like a milk carton with paper towel, teh crickets would climb up and get eaten at that point by the cham??

J

 

[RichLee]

You could also check with your local reptile store...some of them...at least in the los angeles area...will take care of your reptiles while you are away for a small fee.

 

[Eric Adrignola]

How old is she and what species? If she's an adult, an dnot gravid/recovering from laying eggs, she WILL be fine on her own as long as she's got water and was well fed. It's a good idea to get someone to check on her, of course.

If that's not possible, you really shouldnt worry. I draw the line at 7 days, personally. But they wil be fine for much longer.

When I was in college, my brother was "Caring" for my chameleons. I came home one weekend to find out that my veileds, two males two females, had not been fed or watered for a month. They were thirsty as heck, and hungry, but not even thin. Their eyes still looked good, too.

If you give them a good feeding the week prior to you leaving (and they're adults, not growing babies!), AND provide them with enough water for at least a few days, they're fine.

Water is the big factor. For veileds, they can go a week or more EASILY, in an emergency. Other species will go for many days without water, bt it's not a great thing to do, you know?

For a week, food isn't a real issue. I just feed them well, throw some insects in a bowl, and leave. I do this at least twice a year.

your chameleon will reward you with not giving a flip that you've been gone a week. Again, unless it's a melleri - they'll make you think they actually care.

 

[Sepioteuthis]

I pretty much agree with Eric.
I have left my adult chameleons without food for 4 days before without any problems. I'm not sure I would personally feel comfortable with not having anyone check on them for a week, but that's just for my peace of mind not because I think the chams would starve.

If you have a local herp vet you mind want to check if any of the vet tech offers boarding or petsitting services.

For me, having someone check in just once a week would already be a huge improvement from no-one at all.

 

[mdrossncsu]

If you're a trusting type and don't know anyone else you can check craig's list for people who will pet sit. I've seen college students on breaks, people who keep other reptiles of their own, and actual pet sitting services all advertised on craig's list for a wide range of prices.

 

[Jamescoop]

Thanks guys. I think, depending on what happens I think i would be comfortable leaving her for a week w/o food. She has an automatic mister that mists 3 times/day, so im not too worried about water. I have gone about 5 days w/o feeding her before, but that was b/c teh local store didnt get any crickets...yadayadayada....

When she dosent get crickets, she seems to eat the plants in her cage a lot. One if almost gone...is this a normal diet supplement?

J

 

[summoner12]

When she dosent get crickets, she seems to eat the plants in her cage a lot. One if almost gone...is this a normal diet supplement?

J

Veileds do eat the leaves on their plants. My guy does it all the time. My boy Jake also eats the dirt.