Craigslist Chameleon(Houston)

[bigcappa]

I like to search craigslist every once in awhile and see if any chams are up for sale. Usually I do this to try and inform the seller if they have any care and enclosure issues, which most do. I found one today and here was my response. Let me know what you guys think.


My email response:

Hey I just wanted to say that I do and have kept a lot of chameleons. Looking at the pictures of your chameleon I believe that it has MBD, and if not treated properly it could die or have a hard life. I also think this, due to the look of your enclosure and it's interiors. Chameleons need to be misted/sprayed with water, we try not using water bowls due to the build up of bacteria and most will not drink enough from these. Also chameleons need a certain type of light called UVB, either provided by the sun or a UVB linear light bulb. I'm not trying to upset you or anything, just inform you and your potential buyers. There are other issues as well, but those are the main ones. If you have any more question please feel free to email me or join our chameleon forums @ www.chamleonforums.com. My user name is bigcappa on their as well. Have a great day.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

That was a nice way to address the obvious lack of husbandry on the sellers part. Sad that people still think chams drink from bowls after we've been telling people they need to mist them or use a dripper for over 20yrs. I'm with you it looks like mbd. If its not progressed to bad she could be saved and rehabbed. I wonder if he's dumping her because he knows that somethings gone horribly wrong and he doesnt want to face the expense of treating it?

 

[Ozzie2011]

How can you tell for sure it has MBD? I am not questioning you I am just curious so I know what to look for and also how do they get this condition and can it be fixed? So if someone buys her off of Craigslist they are looking at possibly alot of vet bills?

 

[Ozzie2011]

Hey you watch it, Ozzie does drink out of his ceramic leaf LOL!

That was a nice way to address the obvious lack of husbandry on the sellers part. Sad that people still think chams drink from bowls after we've been telling people they need to mist them or use a dripper for over 20yrs. I'm with you it looks like mbd. If its not progressed to bad she could be saved and rehabbed. I wonder if he's dumping her because he knows that somethings gone horribly wrong and he doesnt want to face the expense of treating it?

 

[bigcappa]

Yeah, I'm with you, I think he must know something is up with it. I hope he'll email me back, I'll rehab it myself if he'll let me. I've done this probably 20-30 times in the past, and have probably only had a handful email me back. At least everyone that has emailed me back I have been able to rehab myself.

 

[carol5208]

How can you tell for sure it has MBD? I am not questioning you I am just curious so I know what to look for and also how do they get this condition and can it be fixed? So if someone buys her off of Craigslist they are looking at possibly alot of vet bills?

by its curved front legs. They look like rubber. Poor thing!!! MBD is can be caused by lack of UVB lighting or lack of supplementation.

 

[Ekaj13]

Hey you watch it, Ozzie does drink out of his ceramic leaf LOL!

And unless it dries out completely each day and is cleaned every couple of days it will eventually cause some sort of bacterial infection.

 

[carol5208]

you were too nice! OMG! I want to scream at people like this. There is just too much info out there today(such as this forum) to educate yourself on any type of pet you could think of. He obviously has access to a computer to place his ad so why not do research? There is just no excuse!! So tired of looking at craigslist and seeing sick chameleons stuck in fish tanks with a log and a waterfall. It is just maddening to me.

 

[Ozzie2011]

Thanks Carol

by its curved front legs. They look like rubber. Poor thing!!! MBD is can be caused by lack of UVB lighting or lack of supplementation.

 

[Ozzie2011]

My Exotic Vet said it was ok for me to keep it clean daily with Nolvasan so that is what we have been doing. I am thinking of getting another one of these leaves for his silkworms.

And unless it dries out completely each day and is cleaned every couple of days it will eventually cause some sort of bacterial infection.

 

[purplesally]

I am just now seeing this thread. I just purchased 3 pygmy chameleons off of craigslist. 2 of the 3 have died already. I took pictures of the dead chameleons. I fill like I got ripped off. I had done some research and made notes. This hurts to loose them so fast. I am not giving up. I like the little chameleons. Is there another species that is easier to keep? I spent more money on the enclosure.