2 weeks in the elements

[SSimsswiSS]

This is one of the pit falls of keeping many chameleons. I thought I had brought indoors, all of my panthers for the winter. So I was shocked to see a female still outside in one of the outdoor cages this morning. It was in the 80's today, so I moved some of my bigger panthers outdoors today to get some natural rays. This is when I discovered the lone skinny female. Two weeks without food! Two cold fronts with rain! Other than the fact that she had a zero fat body, she looked well. I took her inside and placed her over a cricket bin, and she ate 3 crickets quickly. I then placed her into a inside cage, to bask and digest her first meal in a long time. Here's a couple of pictures. (Boy, I think we were both luck today, that I caught her in time.) Rail thin, and pumped up.

 

[Olimpia]

Oh no! Poor girl. But it just goes to show how much tougher these guys are than we give them credit for.

 

[carol5208]

OMG! That poor thing!! So for two weeks you did not go outside and notice her in the cage obviously? That is crazy! Lucky it atleast rained or she probably would have been dead for sure! I guess they are more durable than we give them credit for!!

 

[carol5208]

Oh no! Poor girl. But it just goes to show how much tougher these guys are than we give them credit for.

haha! Olimpia, great minds think alike!!!!!

 

[jmdavis]

Good survival story for sure. Wish I had too many to keep track of Good to hear she's alright

 

[SSimsswiSS]

OMG! That poor thing!! So for two weeks you did not go outside and notice her in the cage obviously? That is crazy! Lucky it atleast rained or she probably would have been dead for sure! I guess they are more durable than we give them credit for!!

Yep, With the days getting shorter, I was leaving for work in the dark, and getting home at dusk. With time change I get a little light before heading off to work. All the outside cages are on auto-misters, so she had access to water all along. Just no food. Cages are planted well, so girls can really blend in and hide, when they want to. She was out in the open basking, when I noticed her this morning.

 

[carol5208]

Wow, that is amazing. So just how many do you have anyways?! So we now know they can go without food for awhile and we don't have to freak when they don't eat for a few days!!! So glad that you found her and I am sure she is too!

 

[Ace]

Wow....that is amazing, it only shows how well you took care of her to last that long plus her own durability does help.....im glad she is okay and she looks like a great female..is she a nice cham or has a temper?

 

[james L]

It helps to inventory your animals on a regular basis. Then nothings left behind.

 

[warpdrive]

oh, Steve, thankfuly you saw her. I'm also glad that she looks so good when you found her.
oh, and see now Steve...I told you a year ago that you had too many. now you're gona have to send some to me.
(don't worrie, it's not too cold to ship to me yet. I'll be waiting for an email with tracking on monday night. haha)

Harry

 

[laurie]

I hate this!!!! Another of my chameleon idols can make a mistake. Soon there will be no perfect cham keepers left. Well I will still take you and Debbie out to eat, with so few perfect one's out there even really close to perfect is something to work toward for most of us......

 

[Ace]

I hate this!!!! Another of my chameleon idols can make a mistake. Soon there will be no perfect cham keepers left. Well I will still take you and Debbie out to eat, with so few perfect one's out there even really close to perfect is something to work toward for most of us......

perfection doesnt exist, but rather the created idea and thought humans conceive as close to what they perceive as perfect....we make mistakes because we r human, in a way that our own imperfections makes us perfect by not the means of not creating errors but learning from them.....just my thoughts on it........yes i believe even the best of people , no matter how pure, sophisticated, educated, scientific, religious, artisitc, analysitc, and a perfectionist they are...they are bound to make mistakes....just like time passes , it is inevitable..... because it is part of the human element that makes us human..........JMHO sorry i got carried away..im hungry

 

[alexbrock]

time for tracking devices

 

[ruru]

perfection doesnt exist, but rather the created idea and thought humans conceive as close to what they perceive as perfect....we make mistakes because we r human, in a way that our own imperfections makes us perfect by not the means of not creating errors but learning from them.....just my thoughts on it........yes i believe even the best of people , no matter how pure, sophisticated, educated, scientific, religious, artisitc, analysitc, and a perfectionist they are...they are bound to make mistakes....just like time passes , it is inevitable..... because it is part of the human element that makes us human..........JMHO sorry i got carried away..im hungry

*hands ace a sandwich* don't get too carried away LOL jk
reminds me of the snickers commercial

 

[Amanda1801]

Head counts!! Count em out and count em back in! Glad she's ok though, she's been lucky that you had those few good days! Did she not even have access to plants?

 

[carol5208]

Just curious, but didn't you notice for the two weeks that that chameleon was not inside with the rest?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Head counts!! Count em out and count em back in! Glad she's ok though, she's been lucky that you had those few good days! Did she not even have access to plants?

Too many plants. That's what allowed her to avoid being seen by me.

Just curious, but didn't you notice for the two weeks that that chameleon was not inside with the rest?

Like I said "pitfall of keeping many chameleons." I look at it as a learning lesson, to always check, and double check. Even a few days, week later.
A few years back I sold a group of 30 chams, and a few days later found one that got over looked by the buyer and me on that day. I just happen to move the transport cages a few days later, discovering the crafty cham.

 

[lisa h]

Thank you so much for posting this. You opened yourself up to a lot of criticism, but you still put it out there. Not everyone has the b*lls to to that.
Accidents happen to everyone. Luckily she's ok, and it's a learning experience for you and the rest of us.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Update pic.

Snapped a picture this morning of her before feeding. Had camera out to take pictures of some new babies.

 

[laurie]

Glad to see your little abused girl (sarcasm for those who don't see it) is now looking great.