Jono
New Member
Following up on our "Do Chameleons have memory?" discussion I wanted to discuss the possibility of territorial marking and scent and its effect on chameleons. Just to reiterate it was suggested that chameleons use taste as a way of identifying their surroundings.
I have 5 different trees that I use to semi-free range my 6 chameleons. To create an illusion of more space and different surroundings I've been been swapping the chameleons between trees about once a week.
As far as I can tell this does not stress the chams, although being dwarfs they are naturally slightly communal and have all grown up together. I have not observed any behavior that would suggest they feel any different between trees. I do keep them separate as the adults can get moody with the little ones as well as I don't want anyone (in)breeding.
Now the question I want to pose is: Do you think they are territorial enough that by suddenly moving a cham into a new area that smells and tastes of another chameleon may cause stress?
I would be most interested to hear from people who keep multiple chameleons who may have switched cages and noticed a change in behavior. I do think that my guys have been sharing territory their whole lives so the switching does not have any adverse side effects.
I have 5 different trees that I use to semi-free range my 6 chameleons. To create an illusion of more space and different surroundings I've been been swapping the chameleons between trees about once a week.
As far as I can tell this does not stress the chams, although being dwarfs they are naturally slightly communal and have all grown up together. I have not observed any behavior that would suggest they feel any different between trees. I do keep them separate as the adults can get moody with the little ones as well as I don't want anyone (in)breeding.
Now the question I want to pose is: Do you think they are territorial enough that by suddenly moving a cham into a new area that smells and tastes of another chameleon may cause stress?
I would be most interested to hear from people who keep multiple chameleons who may have switched cages and noticed a change in behavior. I do think that my guys have been sharing territory their whole lives so the switching does not have any adverse side effects.
