Found my chameleon!

[chameleons707]

So after 8 long months I finally found my first veiled chameleon I lost one day in the summer! Last may an incident happened where he escaped and took off into my trees... Days past and no where in sight. Temps here dropped to the low 30s and I thought he was dead by now, yesterday in a sunny day my sister called me saying she found my chameleon on a lemon tree. I was so happy! We brought him in , set him up a temporary home until he gets better and kept it humid to keep him hydrated. He's actually in good shape to be gone for 8 harsh months. No signs of illness just a little stressed because of all the things that have happened. I let him settle down in his enclosure for a few hours and introduced a couple roaches, didn't eat which is fine since he was probably so scared. My question here for health is If i should introduce insects to him imedieatly or is there any kind of nutritional replacement food I can hand feed to get him going and get him back to health?? Will be getting him checked for any parasites when he gets better, bet he ate a tone of nasty bugs while he was out there the whole summer

 

[jpowell86]

That's nuts. I can't believe you found him after an 8 month period. If he appears healthy, I would definitely offer him food. I would be more concerned about hydration, but I wouldn't restrict food if he is hungry and willing to eat. Also, I think if he were mine, I would take him for a vet visit just to get everything checked over. I would also keep him separated from other areas where you may have chameleons in your house. Hopefully a fecal will give you a better picture of what's going on inside the little escapees body. Is there anyway you could post a pic of him? Congratulations on finding him!!

 

[chameleons707]

That's nuts. I can't believe you found him after an 8 month period. If he appears healthy, I would definitely offer him food. I would be more concerned about hydration, but I wouldn't restrict food if he is hungry and willing to eat. Also, I think if he were mine, I would take him for a vet visit just to get everything checked over. I would also keep him separated from other areas where you may have chameleons in your house. Hopefully a fecal will give you a better picture of what's going on inside the little escapees body. Is there anyway you could post a pic of him? Congratulations on finding him!!

OK. I left him a few roaches in a container for him after I left home, hopefully he comes down to eat. And I was surprised! Summer here was around 90-98 degrees and winter here has been nonstop raining and 30-50 degree temperature. When I put him in his cage he immediately when to bask and pooped. Poop looked normal when I was examing it. And I have some of his last pictures I took of him before I lost him I will be posting.

 

[chameleons707]

This is him before I lost him (6 months)

 

[chameleons707]

Him now

 

[brownie64]

Isn't there a wild population of veiled chameleons in California? Are you sure it is yours and not a wild one?

 

[chameleons707]

Isn't there a wild population of veiled chameleons in California? Are you sure it is yours and not a wild one?

I'm 100% sure it's mines. I'm here in the sf bay area.. No place for chameleons to live temperatures are cold here

 

[brownie64]

I'm 100% sure it's mines. I'm here in the sf bay area.. No place for chameleons to live temperatures are cold here

It's great you found him after all this time. does he look as good now as he does in that pic?

 

[jannb]

I'm really glad that you found him. I recommend plenty of water and some nice worms. Worms might get him back eating quicker. I also recommend a fecal to check for parasites in a couple weeks once he settles in. He may very well have parasites after eating wild feeders for so long. Parasites could make him skinny also.

 

[chameleons707]

It's great you found him after all this time. does he look as good now as he does in that pic?

The second picture is when I found him, yes he's still the same

 

[alphakenc]

Im glad you found him and he is doing well in the bay area with you.

 

[Brandonmh]

Nice, grats on finding him. You lucked out there that no raptors or other things like cats got it.

 

[carol5208]

I think we are finding out that chameleons(well atleast Veilds and Panthers) can take temperatures far lower and higher than we thought possible. There was another story on here earlier this week where the Panther survived for 5 months I think in Louisiana where the temps got down in the 30's. I also remember a Veild disappearing in Arizona and was in the heat of the summer and was found like a year later. Glad you got him back!

 

[d3s5]

Great to hear a happy ending! It also gives hope to those who have lost a chameleon - you just never know how long these guys can survive and/or thrive on their own - even out of their native habitat.

Deb

 

[chameleons707]

He has been all day like this . good news is he ate!! I hand fed him a roach and took him a while to get used to being with me and ate it! He is starting to get his old personality back

 

[MelissaB]

He has been all day like this . good news is he ate!! I hand fed him a roach and took him a while to get used to being with me and ate it! He is starting to get his old personality back

I would really get him some plants/foliage to hide behind. I think that would help make him more comfortable while he becomes reacquainted with being caged.

 

[chameleons707]

I would really get him some plants/foliage to hide behind. I think that would help make him more comfortable while he becomes reacquainted with being caged.

Oh yes I did. I added some large plants for him and put him a corner to get out of traffic. He used to be a sweetheart wanting to come out his cage and now he hisses and tries to bite which is fine with me because I finally have him back

 

[chameleons707]

Him this morning

 

[MelissaB]

I bet he comes around after he gets used to being home. I'm glad he has plenty of plants to hide in.

 

[chameleons707]

I am noticing something wrong?! So when I hand fed the Roach to him he seemed very interested but looked like his tongue was failing? All he will do is open his mouth and lock his eye on the roach. After a few minutes I moved the Roach 2 inches away from him and he shot his tongue and ate it. Secont time all he will do is lock his eyes onto the roach as if trying to eat him and just open his mouth. Could that be from any vitamin deficiency? Or him just be to weak?