How can you make a chameleon feel "comfortable"?

[Syn]

I didn't want to post this in general, because I don't want this topic getting too out of hand.

I'm posting it here to keep it away from all (or most) arguments.

Please, if you're going to post here, do not under any circumstances try to turn this into a debate.



Now, here is my situation, etc.



Later this month, or sometime around July I will be doing a mini reptile show for the local recreational center and it's younger participants.

This will be for educational purposes only.

I would prefer to be able to bring my veiled chameleons, the healthy one and the one with the burn.
I was going to use the one with the burn to show the little kids what happens when you don't take care of your pets in the correct way.



Now for the question, oh joy!



If I want to make the chameleon feel comfortable, what should I do?

Also, if it is in the chameleons' healths' best interests, I WILL leave them at home.



Thanks, and if you have any questions I will try to answer them as best as possible.

This is a one day only even and will not bring as much stress as a reptile expo would.

Thanks, and please don't turn this into a debate.

 

[chameleon guy]

Put it on a fairly high table, don't let the kids try to pester your chameleons, noises that aren't to loud, and maybe don't have the kids crowding around the cage.

 

[Syn]

Well chameleons have very poor hearing as far as I'm aware, they only feel vibrations.
Going to make sure they stay away from that table.

 

[hallenhe]

This is probably obvious, but plenty of plants, branches, etc. so the chams can feel that they're hiding. If you're there keeping an eye on things, and the kids are seated and/or standing back and relatively quiet, I don't see that taking the chams out one at a time, holding them up in kind of a display ("See this burn? This was caused by...") then putting them back would be too tremendously stressful a thing. Maybe also have closeup photos of the burned and nonburned chams, so they could see what they're looking for in the photo, then see it right away on the lizards without staring them out of countenance.

 

[Fidel]

Could you cover the cages with a sheet in between demos?

 

[Syn]

Great idea Hallenhe. There is a screen projector in the room I will be in so I will definitely have to set up a slide show!

Fidel, yes, I was planning on doing that. Still there is the chance that someone could walk up to those tables and start messing with them.

I believe they said there would be around 100 kids plus at this mini show.

I plan on getting a Ball Python beforehand so they are more interested in that.

 

[dodolah]

Just minimize exposure as much as possible.

Cover all side of the cages except the top of course for lightings and dripper to avoid him getting gawked by children..
Maintain safe distance. Put a barrier so kids cannot start touching and shaking the cage.


Bring plenty of water in a mister.
You will be able to see if your chameleon have enough.
His eyes will sunk when he get stressed.
Once you see him that way, time to wrap up everything and put him back to your place.

 

[Syn]

Thanks Dodolah.

I'm just hoping the new one doesn't do his drop and run trick at the kids. Might scare them and he might hurt himself.

This shouldn't last longer than an hour or two, so I'm trying to only allow minimal stress.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Hey Syn,

I have taken a couple of my panthers to a show to be photographed. I took them out a couple of times and a large crowed formed around them. (you drew me holding him at that show )

It was a great opportunity to talk to people about them, but I made sure to not keep them out long.

Here is what I did

They obviously do not like to be out and stared at, but you can see when they really don't like it.

Watch their eyes , I noticed when they really stress, they will become sunk in a little when it becomes too much. Make sure you put them away when you see this before it happens if possible.

I keep them as high and out of site as possible. Watering them in between having them out seemed to help. I also made sure they had the appropriate lighting and some plants to hide in.

It seemed to work for me just fine.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I plan on getting a Ball Python beforehand so they are more interested in that.

That will never happen... I am willing to bet they will be far more interested in the chameleons.

 

[Syn]

Yeah, I will be bringing their cages from home, and I will put towels over them when they are not out and being presented.

I've noticed sometimes when my niece is around and he is in his cage he will hide and his eyes sink in a bit, that's always when I make her leave the room.
(I'm usually not in my room to let this happen so it's not much of a big deal otherwise)

Thanks Ryan, and still loving those sunglasses LOL

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Thanks Ryan, and still loving those sunglasses LOL

HAHA , thanks!!

 

[Pure]

Syn, how do you go about getting involved in something like this?

 

[Syn]

I have friends who work at the rec' center.
A few of them know about my zoo and one of them works with the kids - they said something like this would be a great idea if I could make it informational.

 

[jojackson]

no handling except your own, keep it short, if outdoors then be in shade, better a little cool than too hot.
Kids will crowd, make noise/vibration through floor/table if indoors, hence keep it short.

 

[Syn]

Now that I think of it, there will be a separate room close by that I should be able to put the two in, away from the vibration and noise.