First Reptile Expo---left sad :(

[del33]

I thought these expo shows were supposed to be fun.. My experience this morning was just the opposite. I went to my first small local show and what I saw left me very sad and frustrated. It was about 99.5% snakes and tarantulas and lizards. Chameleonwise, I saw some Oustalets, Jacksons, a huge black (stressed) Veiled and a blue bar Ambilobe. The Ambilobe was the best of the bunch but it had some crusting on it's eyes and I could tell by it's droppings that it was slightly dehydrated. The Oustalets and Veiled were almost a solid black meaning either stressed or cold--probably both What really made my heart sink was when I saw the Jacksons. There were about 6 of them crammed in a small plastic enclosure smaller than a shoebox!! On the bottom, there was one cham sleeping and it's eyes were so sunk in, I nearly cried when I saw it. I must have stood there looking at it for a good 2 mins. trying to see any sign of life. It was in really bad shape that I don't know if it could have been saved even by one of us caring cham folks. I wanted to purchase it to try and rehabilitate it, but it's bad condition and my lack of funds for another setup kept me from doing so. I wanted to lash out and reach over the table to choke the vendor,,, but I enjoy my freedom too much. I didn't bother to stay around after what I saw. I wasn't even there for more than 20 mins. Why did these people even have these chams in the first place It was obvious that their main source of sales were from their snakes/spiders and other lizards. It was like they thought, "hmmm,, let's just throw some chameleons in the mix.." when they obviously could not care for them properly. Left a seriously bad taste in my mouth and I will never go back there again, mind you, this was a small show so I hope the larger shows are not like this. Anyway, sorry for the long rant... I just needed to vent to people who I know truly care for chameleons.

 

[bigcappa]

Wow sorry for your bad experience they are usually not that bad. Although it doesn't surprise me much, most breeders/pet stores/vendors don't keep them in optimal environments like most of us try to do. But still very sad. Where was the Expo at if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Supergirl]

I feel like that whenever Petsmart gets a Cham They could care less about proper enclosures, ventilation, temp/humidity, or sanitation (have seen poop in water dish). I complain all the time, but they don't give damn. I've only been to 1 reptile expo... the only had 2 or 3 people with chameleons, but they were well taken care of. The adults were all kept in separate enclosures, the hatchlings were together but in a big cage with tons of space. And the one woman who was showing off a gorgeous panther (i think ambilobe) seemed to be very knowledgeable about chameleon care. She was telling everyone about how delicate their needs are, but with proper care how they can make fantastic pets. None of them were dark or showing signs of stress. I felt bad for the snakes tho, they had most of them in tiny tupperware containers all crammed up with no room to move around. Like they were lunch or something

 

[bigcappa]

Wow glad to hear that lady was actually trying to give good advice! But yes I hate when I have to go to petsmart to get dog stuff and see those lil guys in there. So sad.

 

[Pilotman800]

It really upsets me how ignorant some people can be. Whenever I see something like you explained, and they show to not care even after you have explained to them that they aren't caring for them correctly, I feel like just smacking them and running out with the cham. (Obviously like you I would like to keep my freedom, so I don't do that, haha)

 

[showjet95]

I dont think Ive ever been to a reptile show, and all the ones I have been to are the large SoCal reptile breeder association shows and not seen chameleons, sick or dying and stuffed into small plastic deli cup style containers w a paper towel barely able to move, or screen cages with a few fake vines loaded with way too many chameleons. It is extremely depressing and I hate to see it but I guess it comes with the territory:-/ Pretty sure thats why one of the main chameleon people of all time got out of the hobby, for this very reason. She had so much love for them that she couldnt stand to see them in this condition and treated with such neglect, and just would much rather leave them happy in the wild where they are free then to see then end up like this, almost always leading to their demise, or to some 15 year old kid that doesnt have the slightest clue how to keep one long term.

 

[SamanthaElle]

I was at an orlando expo today, its reptile expo day!

Only 2 of the vendors were cham people, and they did a great job with their chams. They were all a little bit stressed, but hey, I would be too with that many people running around in some strange place I have never been before.

Yes, some of the vendors could have treated their chams better and I figure at home they do.

The only vendor that was absoluetly out of his mind was some guy who had just 3 chameleons, and they were all shoved in their own plastic container (just like his snakes) What the....

I am a little sad for a different reason....not that much food. I was planning on gettin my little Hubble a who array of yummies to eat....

No silkworm eggs and all the feeders were larger.

 

[del33]

Wow sorry for your bad experience they are usually not that bad. Although it doesn't surprise me much, most breeders/pet stores/vendors don't keep them in optimal environments like most of us try to do. But still very sad. Where was the Expo at if you don't mind me asking?

The Expo was in Manassas VA (Prince William Co. Fairgrounds). It was a very small event mainly catering to snake, tarantula, scorpion and lizard (non chameleon) owners. I've seen videos of the large shows in CA, FL and Vegas and this one paled in comparison. I knew that I wasn't going to see many chameleons there, but I was expecting at least well cared for specimens. All the snakes and bearded dragons were beautiful. It just bothered me that these people who obviously knew how to care for them couldn't provide the same care for their chameleons. I've always appreciated the site sponsors here but I really really appreciate them more now and my business is only going towards them from here on.

 

[Rune]

When I went to my first expo, it was only snakes, but there was one chameleon. I wanted him so bad!! He was actually in very good condition. It depends on the area in which you live and how big the expo is... And yes.. its really depressing when they are in bad conditions.. But remember, most of it is just a temporary container.

 

[ataraxia]

our shows are depressing also. loaded with snakes and spiders. you want to know the real reason behind that? because they require very little care and are cheap to feed = more profit. for the usual we see fishers, outsalets, melleri, jacksons and occasional panthers but they are all wild caught. Ive seen different species mixed in the same cages. males and females together. some literally dieing right on the spot. some dead in the cage. i would be embarrassed to have some of the animals on my table. you ask how to care for them and they give you pretty bad advice. melleri adults can live in a 18x18x36 screen cage :/

we do have one lady that breeds veileds. she produces very healthy stock and usually brings a very large absolutely gorgeous veiled. she houses him and other breeders in 20 longs vertically and recommends staying away from hornworms :/

 

[Pilotman800]

our shows are depressing also. loaded with snakes and spiders. you want to know the real reason behind that? because they require very little care and are cheap to feed = more profit. for the usual we see fishers, outsalets, melleri, jacksons and occasional panthers but they are all wild caught. Ive seen different species mixed in the same cages. males and females together. some literally dieing right on the spot. some dead in the cage. i would be embarrassed to have some of the animals on my table. you ask how to care for them and they give you pretty bad advice. melleri adults can live in a 18x18x36 screen cage :/

we do have one lady that breeds veileds. she produces very healthy stock and usually brings a very large absolutely gorgeous veiled. she houses him and other breeders in 20 longs vertically and recommends staying away from hornworms :/

Recommends staying away from hornworms? Why? Aren't they great for your cham?

 

[ataraxia]

yes they are good for your cham. just vendors and even breeders giving bad info.

 

[Pilotman800]

yes they are good for your cham. just vendors and even breeders giving bad info.

Ah, I see. I just ordered hornworms and reptiworms for the first time for my little guy, and I was about to smack myself, haha.

 

[allencg101]

Ah, I see. I just ordered hornworms and reptiworms for the first time for my little guy, and I was about to smack myself, haha.

hey some quick info for you with the hornworms if your guy is small your cham that is keep the horns in the fridge 2 days in at 40 degrees and one day out this will help in keeping them from growing fast cause some will go from under an inch long to 3 inches in one day it will help you from wasting your money and keeps them growing to fast!!!