Can or should a chameleon swim?

[javsto]

I was watching a youtube vid of some chameleons when I came across this one interesting vid. Its about some guys in south africa who, after jumping into a body of water, notice that a chameleon is spotted "swimming" right behind them. Has anyone else seen this vid and can they identify the species of cham in the video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlCNPHYJRM0&feature=related

 

[camimom]

weve all seen the vid.
yes they can, no they really shoudlnt.

 

[thatoneguy]

lol yea supprisingly ALOT of us have seen it. they can swim quite well. but why risk it? i dont think they usually swim by choice, its more of a o crap i just fell in some water. gotta get out.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

I'd say it's more floating, since they inflate themselves, but they definately shouldn't, it's very stressful.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Also it's hard to tell but I believe it's a Senegal.

 

[Trace]

Chamaeleo senegalensis aren't endemic to South Africa. It's a Chamaeleo dilepis or Flapneck Chameleon.

 

[Toph00]

Would it be beneficial at all for a cham to roam around in a very shallow bath tub filled with warm water? shallow enough to walk and not need to inflate

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Would it be beneficial at all for a cham to roam around in a very shallow bath tub filled with warm water? shallow enough to walk and not need to inflate

I doubt so, it'd probably just stress it.

 

[Solid Snake]

Would it be beneficial at all for a cham to roam around in a very shallow bath tub filled with warm water? shallow enough to walk and not need to inflate

Not unless the chameleon is having a shed issue with its feet. If not, well \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/

I doubt so, it'd probably just stress it.

 

[Lizardlover]

A warm soak could aid in clearing up constipation. I'll never forget when I found my male Oustalet's swimming in my pool, he climbed down his tree all the way across the patio.

 

[Olimpia]

A warm soak could aid in clearing up constipation. I'll never forget when I found my male Oustalet's swimming in my pool, he climbed down his tree all the way across the patio.

This is certainly true. I've done it enough times with other lizards, you can put them in half an inch of warm water and in 10-20 minutes they finally poop when they haven't been able to for a week or more. Definitely a good try when a reptile is constipated.

Doesn't mean they'll love it though. Other lizards settle down in the water and do fine but I wouldn't know about chameleons. They probably would as well after a few minutes.

 

[ataraxia]

never in a million years would i have thought they could swim. amazing

 

[Toph00]

yeah cause I had a red tailed boa and she loved sitting in some warm water...but I am sure thats a little different lol

 

[melric]

That is pretty cool. Nice video. I like how they just left it alone.

 

[PantherEnvy]

I believe they only like the freestyle stroke, anything else will stress them out.

 

[laurie]

A warm soak could aid in clearing up constipation. I'll never forget when I found my male Oustalet's swimming in my pool, he climbed down his tree all the way across the patio.

So did he go in the pool? yuck! You do have a nice pool but I am not swimming with cham poop. Not that you offered.....