bad state

[SoCaliRocker]

I've started making room for a new meller's. Theres a couple things i need first to do so im not quite ready.

A store near me has a meller's cham but I'm worried about it. Not only do they have subtrate wood barks in the cage that I watched (him/her) swallow when going after a cricket. But one eye seems perfectly fine, the other is sunken in. They are telling me it came that way. It really could have been in shipping. It also has a high amount of signs of stress, not to mention in a small cage. They're selling it for $130 wich seems high considering all this. My understanding is its two years old, wc but is a ltc. Do you think it has a good chance of living? I want to try to care for it. I'm just scared if i buy it, and it dies on me.

Edit : did not mean to put a smiley face, im on through my phone.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Pass on that one unless you have extensive experience with Chams. Even so, I would pass on that one just from the very little you described.

 

[SoCaliRocker]

Pass on that one unless you have extensive experience with Chams. Even so, I would pass on that one just from the very little you described.

I just feel so bad for it. The lady at the store was offended when i told her about it. She says its in good hands. I buy my crickets there every week. Its the closest besides petco, wich is over priced. If it wasnt for that, i dont know if i would go again...

 

[thephotoprincess]

The best advice I can give is to pass on this one. Believe me, I know it's hard ... but melleri can be incredibly difficult and can seem healthy and still go downhill so don't start with one that is less than healthy ... especially if it is your first.

We found one on craigslist yesterday and she (or he but we are calling her she) is very thin, dehydrated and has an infected toenail ... we have experience with melleri with infections and I'm scared for her as I know how they can go downhill quickly. This one seems pretty strong and is eating and drinking well so I think she'll be fine. I wanted to decline taking her but I'm pretty much a sucker for melleri and I knew she would not make it long-term if she didn't go to a home with experience.

We have three melleri from Amazing Blue Reptiles. They are in the San Diego area and I recommend you contact them as they often have them and even though their melleri are WC they take excellent care of them and make sure they are healthy enough to sell. They are super nice people as well.

 

[BocaJan]

Since chameleons go down hill so quickly, I wouldn't purchase anything that have problems unless you are very experienced and know that you can help it, which usually isn't too many. the stress from exporting them really takes its toll on the little guys. I know it is hard to pass up a good bargain but is it really a good bargain?