What to do With Chameleons During A Storm?

[Amberjewel]

So last night a particularly bad storm crossed through our area, and there were tornadoes spotted a few towns over. We are fine and didn't even have to go to the basement, but it made me wonder what would happen if we had to go downstairs and take shelter when we owned a chameleon?
I currently own fish and snails, and when the weather is bad and tornadoes my plan is to move them to an emergency tank I keep handy. Could I do similar things with a chameleon? We have a travel cage designed for parrots and small rodents but could it work if we had to move our reptile friend to safety?

Here is what the cage looks like (just it's slightly longer and no perch)

 

[ChamomilleCame]

That could work just fine. You would want to put paper towel or something soft on the bottom in case he falls. Doesn't look like there's much to hold on to. I personally wouldn't use it. Looks too small and if you're forced to evacuate it could be a rough time for the animal.
For moving my cham around in the past, I made a cylindrical cage with just coated chicken wire and zip ties. It's probably more lightweight than that bird cage and the cham can grab on the wire if his feet aren't too big. The good thing about that is you can attach a few fake plants for dripping purposes and overall comfort.

 

[Amberjewel]

Thank you!

 

[Lathis]

For an emergency, small and portable is your friend. If you can get your cham in and out of that cage, that would work. Grab a couple of bendy vines, too and you can use those as a free range in a hotel bathtub in a pinch. If you have to be gone longer than a day or so, you'll want a more robust set up.

 

[jajeanpierre]

So last night a particularly bad storm crossed through our area, and there were tornadoes spotted a few towns over. We are fine and didn't even have to go to the basement, but it made me wonder what would happen if we had to go downstairs and take shelter when we owned a chameleon?
I currently own fish and snails, and when the weather is bad and tornadoes my plan is to move them to an emergency tank I keep handy. Could I do similar things with a chameleon? We have a travel cage designed for parrots and small rodents but could it work if we had to move our reptile friend to safety?

Here is what the cage looks like (just it's slightly longer and no perch)

Don't worry too much about it. I have travel totes that I take my chameleons to the vet in, small little tote boxes with air holes in it. I put in wadded damp paper towels. In an emergency a pillow case works just fine although you will need to be careful that the animal doesn't get crushed in all the drama of an evacuation. If your chameleon can't push through the bars, that little cage would be fine. Just throw some damp paper towels on the bottom. I disagree with the above poster--there are a lot of perching opportunities--four walls and the top. My only concern would be that the animal could do superficial damage rubbing or pushing on the bars. I put my little totes (and you could do this with this cage) inside a dark cloth bag so they settle right down and basically go to sleep.

As far as the fish are concerned, a food-safe bucket WITH A LID would work. You could get one from a bakery or deli. Just siphon water into the bucket if you have enough time. A pillow case would also work for a bird, again you would need to be careful that the animal isn't crushed in all the excitement.

I lived for many years in the Caribbean and had to be prepared for hurricanes. I kept all my documents in a duffle bag so I could just grab everything that was really important without having to waste time finding things. I still keep all my really important documents in a plastic file box in my closet so I can just grab them instantly in case I ever have to evacuate. I also have crates for all my animals. When a hurricane was approaching, I would get ready well before I needed to. I wasted a lot of time battening down the house and getting animals inside as only two hurricanes actually hit the island in the 8 years I lived there but better safe than sorry.

If you ever evacuate, the most important things to take are your family, your pets, your documents like passports and birth certificates, your prescription medications, your cell phones and chargers, and maybe a few keepsakes. If you know there is a risk you will have to evacuate, make sure your car has a full tank of gas well before you might need to evacuate. Don't waste valuable space in your car on a cage or lighting for your chameleon. It will do fine in a shoe box if necessary.

 

[lmcoop1]

I have traveled three times with my cham. Using a cardboard box with with airholes, a perch and a cloth in the bottom just in case. He goes right to sleep in the dark space and cannot see, so he is not as stressed by movement.

I have not traveled more than three hours one direction with him, so for a longer trip, or in your case evacuation, jajeanpierre seems to have you covered! Thanks for your post

 

[OldChamKeeper]

I have traveled three times with my cham. Using a cardboard box with with airholes, a perch and a cloth in the bottom just in case. He goes right to sleep in the dark space and cannot see, so he is not as stressed by movement.

I have not traveled more than three hours one direction with him, so for a longer trip, or in your case evacuation, jajeanpierre seems to have you covered! Thanks for your post

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