Will a 4 hour car ride stress my chameleon too much?
- Thread starter amandac89
- Start date
KarmaChameleon1337
Avid Member
It depends how easily stressed out your cham gets. Personally I'd either hold mine (they're very well adapted to being held). If yours isn't so adapt and if you're the driver then I'd put it in it's cage (assuming the cage wouldn't be jostled around a lot inside the car) and cover it, if it's warm enough in the car and dark inside the cage it might sleep for that short trip, and not notice that "oh god, I'm moving". On the car trip from the person who brought me Bobo he had him in a large cricket keeper with a stick and put that inside a cardboard box with crunched newspaper balls around it. Enough so he wasn't freaked out by his surroundings but not so much that he suffocated.
CamiGirl89
New Member
If your chameleon is still nervous and adjusting to its new home, I would see if I could find a responsible family member/friend to watch it at home. Otherwise, mine made 3.5 hr car trips often with me. At first, I purchased small traveling containers for each one, and covered their containers with a towel. They slept the whole way like this. Eventually, they began to stay awake and want out, and were happy with sitting on my boyfriend's shoulder or head. I never let them out in the car while I was driving, though... too much of a distraction! However, they adjusted well to car rides. Just feel your chameleon's stress levels, and adapt from there. Eventually he will be ready! 
amandac89
New Member
Thanks!
Thanks for the input. I've only had him for about a month. At first, he would run for his life when I opened the door to his tank. Sometimes he would even fall just running from my hand. I refrained from handling him. After taking his whole tank outside and leaving the door open a few times, he seems to be warming up to me. He stopped running from my hand so I will handle him more soon. If he seems ready for it in a month, then I will try holding him for the ride.
Thanks for the input. I've only had him for about a month. At first, he would run for his life when I opened the door to his tank. Sometimes he would even fall just running from my hand. I refrained from handling him. After taking his whole tank outside and leaving the door open a few times, he seems to be warming up to me. He stopped running from my hand so I will handle him more soon. If he seems ready for it in a month, then I will try holding him for the ride.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
No, nothing he can't recover from. Putting them in a small, dark space (like a box) is usually best. Animals get less stressed if they can't see (counter-intuitive, I know, but true) so a in a little box they may even fall asleep. If not, they'll be unhappy but no worse for wear.
I've done countless 3-4 hour car rides with my gang and Daedalus could always manage to get out of his box, so after a few times of having to pull over on the high way to try to get him back in, I just decided he was OK riding on the headrest. He's docile enough that he gets up there and doesn't move or get freaked out. So this is how we go to shows or to the vet now if I'm alone in the car. Granted, it's unsafe for him, which is why I recommend a box first. The headrest is fabric so he has a good grip on it but if we ever have to stop dry, I don't know that he wouldn't end up as a blue pancake.
I've done countless 3-4 hour car rides with my gang and Daedalus could always manage to get out of his box, so after a few times of having to pull over on the high way to try to get him back in, I just decided he was OK riding on the headrest. He's docile enough that he gets up there and doesn't move or get freaked out. So this is how we go to shows or to the vet now if I'm alone in the car. Granted, it's unsafe for him, which is why I recommend a box first. The headrest is fabric so he has a good grip on it but if we ever have to stop dry, I don't know that he wouldn't end up as a blue pancake.
pssh
Avid Member
For a lot of chameleons, putting them in a dark box is best. Some prefer to be out, but a lot will just sleep the ride away in the box. When I have to move mine like that I just set them in the box with a small rag to hold onto and let them fall asleep before I bring them to the car.
How long will you be staying at your destination before you bring it back? It's probably best to leave it home and have someone care for it if you aren't staying for very long trips.
How long will you be staying at your destination before you bring it back? It's probably best to leave it home and have someone care for it if you aren't staying for very long trips.
Elizadolots
New Member
Hi! How long are you planning on spending in the mountains? I think that's a factor. If it's just a night, then there's no need to put your chameleon through that. Even if it's a weekend I think you'd be better off leaving it assuming you either have automated care or someone you can trust to turn lights off/on and mist.
Elizadolots
New Member
Well, then, I think taking him along is probably reasonable. Is someone going with you? Because if you have a travelling companion and he/she would be willing to hold the box with your chameleon, that would save your chameleon a lot of jostling. People act as natural shock absorbers. If not, then I would put the chameleon in a shipping box (airholes! put a stick in the box to hold onto) and put the box in the bottom of the cage. On the off chance that he's an escape artist, he'll at least be in the cage until you can pull over.
Elizadolots
New Member
So, what should be used? Maybe a rolled up paper towel? I think they want something to hold onto.
Thezillaman21
Avid Member
same state.. haha\ just\ 6make\ sure\ he\ is\ secure.. they dont like being bounced around so on your way to the moutians look out for potholes
kaity
New Member
Do you mean take him to the Mountains for a day trip or overnight trip? Then I would leave him home... For some reason I get the impression you just want to take him up for the day because you think he will enjoy the mountains if this is the case it will be unnecessary stress. However if you will be up there a few days follow everybody else's advice. I usually put mine in a large shoe box with a towel on the bottom and a branch for him to stand on and they usually just fall asleep and chill, I am sure he will be fine if you try to drive calm.
Elizadolots
New Member
She said she's going for a week.
