wild chameleon caught by cat

[greth32]

I live in southern Spain and we have chameleons living here in the wild. Last night my cat brought one with her into the house. After a wild chase I managed to take the chameleon away from her. I put him/her into a plastic clothing pin basket. The first thing I noticed was allot of loose white skin hanging from him/her and there was some lying on the floor. He/she was also extremely defensive. Hissing almost like a cat all the time. I didn't dare to tough him/her but there was some blood on his/her mouth and as far as I can see there might be one tiny puncture on his belly. Maybe also one of his feet is hurt. Hard to say. Anyway, I kept him/her in this basket in a very quite place indoors overnight. In the morning I found him crawled up the side of the basket and that is where he/she is hanging now.
What is your advice? Should I put him/her back out into the wild or monitor him/her for a while? I know zero about these beautiful creatures. They eat bugs right? If I put him/her out then do I just put him/her on the ground or in a tree?
Thanks for your help!! He/she is very beautiful and deserves to live!!

 

[Ahtee]

If he/she is from the wild I suggest u put him/her back into the wild, as you've mentioned u don't really know much about chameleons so trying to nurse it would probably do more harm than good imo. He/she would most definitely have a better chance out in the wild if the injury isn't life threatening. Put him/her back into the wild, away from civilisation of course. That's what I think

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

In my opinion, I would watch him for a couple days to make sure he is not critically injured and will die a slow death when released.

 

[Trace]

Keep your cat indoors.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n1/full/ncomms2380.html

 

[little leaf]

Keep your cat indoors.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n1/full/ncomms2380.html

good links - Thanks for posting them - this is why I do not own a cat, I love cats, but would rather have my wildlife

the white skin sounds like it may be shed - it looks kinda like tissue paper when it falls off - nothing to worry if its shed - I would let it go if it were me, but not where your kitty may get it again - unless you are going to take it to a vet, there is really nothing you can do that nature cant - but THANK YOU so much for caring about the little cham - you are a good person

 

[kinyonga]

They are insectivores...but don't forget they need water too. You can give it to the chameleon by creating a dripper from a small plastic takeout cup. Punch a very tiny hole in the bottom of the cup so it drips at the rate of about one drip every second or two. Hold it so it drips on the tip of the chameleon's nose. It takes patience sometimes to get them started drink. I don't know what insects to tell you to use since you live in Spain.

I would keep it in a quiet place for a couple of days to see if it's okay and then return it to the wild if it's okay. I would release it in a shrub if possible.

You can put polysporin on the wounds to prevent infection....but NOT in its mouth.

Good luck!

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

It can eat flies and locusts. There should be a pretty good selection of insects due to the time of year.

 

[Devokid]

Keep your cat indoors.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n1/full/ncomms2380.html

Completely agree. I wish that they would completely irradiate cats from Hawaii as they are incredibly destructive, but too many people like them.