Hello,

I went into this reptile shop where they have a meller cham available.

I am really looking forward to getting one and wanted to get peoples opinions on weather or not i should buy this cham to perhaps "save" it? Or just wait for the SD supershow and buy a CB or healthier young one?

This cham is cramped in his cage has burn marks on the top of his dorsal "fin" (not sure what its really called) has about 50 crickets all bunched up around the corners and is sitting on top of a pothos plant, the crest on his snout is crooked and he is missing most of his toenails. based upon length he looks to be a juvenile / sub adult, about 18 inches and inside one of those 36x18x18 enclosure.

I know that buying from them puts another chameleon at risk to undergo the same husbandry, but he really does look sad in there.

I know there is no right or wrong answer and its based upon everyones own POV of health, animal abuse etc..but just thought i would like to hear some peoples input if they would want to share.

thanks everyone.

Awww, I don't know what you should do, but I will tell you that Melleri are social animals.

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~Liz~ Check out my site http://www.freewebs.com/lbesok
*Nosy Be *Ambilobe *Bearded Dragon *Leopard Gecko

Ok, I think many people will probably tell you to wait and get a healthier cham and not support the petstore...but if I were to see that cham, sitting in that terrible enclosure with 50 crickets, all cramped up, knowing my conscience, I wouldn't be able to sleep until I bought it and brought it home. Poor thing! But then, you can't save every one, and supporting reputable breeders is ALSO very valuable.
Sigh, I just know if I were there it would be in my car, coming home with me right now, because I am such a sucker.

catch 22, i just tore a pet store owner a new hole the other day for abusing a baby veiled. too bad i dont have room or i wouldve "rescued" him.

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sweater meat.

I've done that before too. If only we ALL had the room to take in all the rescues...

Yeah I hear you on that Kat, I went to a pet shop to check it out and they had a baby jackson in an all glass cage and just looked so depressed. I went back a week later to get some crickets and I checked to see how he was and there he was dead on the floor. I was sooo pissed off when I saw that. I just wish I had the money to buy him when I had the chance.

Yea i was just reading about that on melleridiscovery.com, do you happen to own one? I checked out your site, your breeders are gorgeous!

After reading melleridiscovery, is there any that owns two of them? do they seem to be happier seeing each other or being kept alone and secluded?

Thanks!

It sounds like they do better in social environments. I am getting one, to start, but I'll end up with at least two. If you DO get that one, I would definitely recommend quarantining it until you've taken it to a vet, as WC Melleri (you did say it was WC right?) often have quite a parasite load, and I wouldn't get him/her a friend right away.

Yes, they did say that he was WC, there only selling him for 129, but i know i can get him for 100 considering they have no information about him/her and how banged up he is. And yes, thanks for reminding me about the quarantine thing, i was just going to plan on getting a bunch of plants and letting him free roam in a spare room i have.

I dont remember who it was but someone on here actually hassled the pet store untill they got it for free. They held signs up infront of the store saying something about the situation. I dont think it took to long for them to get it either. Maybe an approach like this would be the best way to go.