Drums and Chameleons

[Mueller23]

I have veiled chameleon and I also enjoy playing the drums!

I have heard that chameleons do not actually hear, but feel vibrations. This made me think if it was safe to play my drums by my chameleon. I have not done this, but it would be much easier than having my sister watch him lol.

I just wondered if it would be a bad idea or if I have nothing to worry about.

Thanks!

 

[eeekroar]

I will say bad idea. Is the only room your Chameleon can be in, with your drums? I have my set all the way across the house from him. He doesn't seem to mind me playing guitar on my little amp, but I wouldn't sit him next to any of my stacks either.

 

[DekuScrub]

HAHAHAHA! my brother used to play drums in his room right next to where i kept my collection. THAT is the exact reason i used to make him stop. im like "youre stressin my chameleons, they hear through their feet!" when in fact it was just me wanting it to stop. he did on occasion and it didnt seem to cause any adverse effects. the only real difference i noticed was they would kind of freeze up, almost like they were listening.

if you think about the function of them sensing vibrations in the wild i would say, it would only really be utilized in making note of potential predators. hence the stopping in place and looking around, and communication, ive noticed veileds especially like to vibrate their heads, that signal being passed though the branches.

but all thats just coming off the top of my head with nothing to back it up, just waht i would assume.

id recommend just keeping it to a minimum, and not totally wailing out on em.

or move you drums to your friends garage

i could see how it would be stressful so if you could have someone observer him while you play, that may be helpful in determining if its a bad idea.

 

[DekuScrub]

speaking of which.

have there ever been any studies done on this?

what frequency ranges they can actually "hear" and how it effects them?

my curiosity fuse had been lit now

*EDIT*

found a couple links here in chameleon journals

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0115747/hearing123.htm

https://www.chameleonforums.com/can-chameleons-hear-19796/

sounds to me like more studies need to be conducted, and just because they have poorly developed ears shouldnt necessarily mean they dont sense vibrations as we would audio.

i know how ill be spending this evening, a six pack, a subwoofer and some chameleons XD now we need to start recording the vibrations they emit through the branches too!

can someone please pay for me to go to college

 

[thePopeJP]

The way I've thought about it is, if I put my hand on something near them and can even slightly feel the vibration of whatever is making the noise (say a subwoofer) then they can "hear" that as well.

 

[Hoj]

i belive they can hear better than we think, i know my camo responds to very quiet tounge clicking noises i make to get his attention.

 

[thePopeJP]

Yeah, however there have been times with mine, that if he doesn't see me walk in, I can walk right up behind him and he doesn't even notice until I tap on his cage, even if I make noise

 

[Solid Snake]

My opinion is that most of your kit isnt going to bother him. The bass drum however, in a closed room, would definitely not be a good idea. That pound you feel in your chest, is going to effect him much differently. Hes going to feel it everywhere, and being so small, I would not be surprise if it was possible to knock a chameleon off its branch with bass. Just seems like a stressful thing for them all around though IMO.
I vote no drumming.
Why not take up the flute instead?

 

[Mueller23]

I'm going to stick to the drums

But this all sounds really good! Until some studies are done, I'm going to just move him across the house. He seems to really enjoy being with other people and exploring, which will give me plenty of time to play. I agree with the bass drum topic. I feel like he could fall and that would be bad!

Thanks for all your input