Gimpy, Wild-Caught Gracilior

[jajeanpierre]

This is such a resilient girl! She was a physical mess when I bought her last June as a fresh import. Not one single leg or foot worked. Both front legs were so swollen that I worried the blood circulation would be cut off and she would lose her legs or feet. She dangled all four grossly swollen legs off the branch. I had to be extra careful when feeding her or servicing her cage because I did not want her to feel afraid and the need to move away from me which would cause her further pain. I fed her a lot of silkworms placed close to her. Today she moves around her cage as if nothing had happened. Unless you see her try to straighten her right front and hind leg, you would not notice that the knee and elbow joints on her right side will not open more than 90 degrees. She's a tough old girl. Her first babies are starting to hatch today.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Don't you just love the red claws of the mama? They always surprise me and make me happy.

 

[bobcochran]

Janet, you never cease to amaze me! I would never buy a cham in the conditions you describe, and yet you achieve some unbelievable successes. Desperation? Devotion? What ever, it works for you!

 

[Andee]

What was wrong that caused her leg issues? Shedding? Kidney issues? Etc. Etc.?

 

[jajeanpierre]

What was wrong that caused her leg issues? Shedding? Kidney issues? Etc. Etc.?

Broken bones and mangled joints from capture.

She might have been ripped off a branch and broken legs and destroyed joints because she didn't let go. I've heard that you can rip a chameleon's legs off by pulling them off a branch. I suspect it is true.

She had a lot of broken bones.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Janet, you never cease to amaze me! I would never buy a cham in the conditions you describe, and yet you achieve some unbelievable successes. Desperation? Devotion? What ever, it works for you!

I didn't know she was such a mess when I bought her. It wouldn't have made a difference. If it was a gracilior, it came home with me.

It was only when I got her home and looked at her over the next few days that I saw four swollen dangling legs. The swelling was really bad. I really was worried she would cut off the circulation to her legs and feet from the swelling.