My new boy/girl (Heavy Pics of Melleri)

[kongchi]

Hi guys,

I finally cracked and did it.

I found this beautiful/handsome girl/guy on craigslist. I sent the seller a text and asked for pictures and I was saddened by what I saw. This little one's cage had one log, a string of fake plants, wood chips and dirt. He was also missing his horn. He wanted a lot for it but I told him that I was familiar with keeping chameleons and I would be happy to adopt him. It took a few days of reasoning but I managed to adopt him. He came with a cage.

When I arrived home I immediately put him in an outdoor basking tree and went to work with his cage. Dumping out all the wood chips and dirt, throwing out all the fake plants, spraying it down and cleaning it, it was a lot of work. After all that was done, I finally had time to hang out with my new Melleri.

I was surprised as to how mellow he/she is. When I first stuck my hand into his cage he gaped and raised his fist at me, I thought "too soon" so I let him be, after I was done with his cage, I went over and hand fed him, man, I'm not used to black mouths. I then dripped a lot of water onto the tree he was basking on and boy, he drank for literally 6 minutes straight. New thing I learned, when melleri drink, they stick their tongues out really far, almost an inch out of their mouths.

Anyhow enough of this story, here are the pics.

I had gloves on because I was cleaning out his cage.

The cage he came with.

 

[chams1]

I see by his eyes, skin and casque that he is dehydrated, malnourished and in need of just some really good care. You are off to a good start. Keep giving him lots of water/long mistings, real sun (if you can - otherwise the proper lighting), real plants and lots of climbing space and he/she should be good as new. The lack of horn doesn't look that bad. It's the ones that are bent and/or broken and bloody that you want to watch out for. Keep up what you are doing.

 

[MrHarris]

I met him/her. It's a real sweetheart. I know you are the right man for the job. Now you can finally shut up about wanting one sooo bad

 

[kongchi]

I see by his eyes, skin and casque that he is dehydrated, malnourished and in need of just some really good care. You are off to a good start. Keep giving him lots of water/long mistings, real sun (if you can - otherwise the proper lighting), real plants and lots of climbing space and he/she should be good as new. The lack of horn doesn't look that bad. It's the ones that are bent and/or broken and bloody that you want to watch out for. Keep up what you are doing.

Thank you, I have a lot to learn. I consider this little one a rescue. I was sad to see his living condition from the pictures, but devastated after I found out first hand how wonderful these guys are. I value your advice and will try to learn about this very under rated chameleon.

 

[thephotoprincess]

Thank you, I have a lot to learn. I consider this little one a rescue. I was sad to see his living condition from the pictures, but devastated after I found out first hand how wonderful these guys are. I value your advice and will try to learn about this very under rated chameleon.

Is this the one that was in Orange? I inquired about him but passed because I was getting one from Agoura Hills. Seeing this one I'm sorry I didn't go for it - but I'm glad you got him and he'll be well taken care of. The one we got is in rough shape. Found out at the last minute he had two swollen and infected hind legs. Drinking and eating well and moving around despite not being able to grasp with his hind feet very much.

Congrats on him/her and looking forward to seeing photos and hearing about his progress!

 

[kongchi]

Is this the one that was in Orange? I inquired about him but passed because I was getting one from Agoura Hills. Seeing this one I'm sorry I didn't go for it - but I'm glad you got him and he'll be well taken care of. The one we got is in rough shape. Found out at the last minute he had two swollen and infected hind legs. Drinking and eating well and moving around despite not being able to grasp with his hind feet very much.

Congrats on him/her and looking forward to seeing photos and hearing about his progress!

Yes it was the one in Orange. He was rushy with me. He looked like a gangster.

 

[thephotoprincess]

Yes it was the one in Orange. He was rushy with me. He looked like a gangster.

not surprised - I had a bad impression just texting him. I'm glad you got the chameleon. It's so frustrating to see all these melleri out there getting cared for so poorly.

 

[wendyeeeo]

Good for you! He's gonna be a happy cham. I also have wanted a Melleri for sooo long like you! LOL They are great chameleons.

 

[kongchi]

not surprised - I had a bad impression just texting him. I'm glad you got the chameleon. It's so frustrating to see all these melleri out there getting cared for so poorly.

Ya, you saw it too huh? It's so sad to imagine what this guy has seen.

 

[kongchi]

Good for you! He's gonna be a happy cham. I also have wanted a Melleri for sooo long like you! LOL They are great chameleons.

Mine is long and lanky for now. But such a cutie.

 

[kongchi]

Another Pic

 

[flyty808]

the meller looks great glad to hear another one is off the streets and in a good home. yours looks to be in great shape besides the hydration. and nutrition issue. but sun water and good diet will fix that fast. remember they like to roam alot.so free range or watch um in ur basking tree.thats what i do.

 

[chams1]

This guy/gal has a LOT of growing to do. Be prepared. This one looks like only a sub-adult based on the size. Maybe a 1.5 years or so.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Another Pic

Looking better already. Nice picture.

 

[kongchi]

I just let Sebastian Meet the new guy/girl and i must admit, it was a bit awkward. Sebastian is a passive guy, very bold, but mellow and outgoing. Then we have the Melleri (still no name yet) who I'm almost certain has never seen the light of day. I put them in the same tree, and, unfortunately I didn't record it but this is what went down.

Sebastian see's the mellers and just sit there, then the melleri kind of just sits there. The melleri moves towards the light and Sebastian kind of just puffs up a little but doesn't change colors or anything, he kind of doesn't know wether to be defensive or just kind of chill, he just half puffs like 'huh?'. It was quite awkward. The mellers then turns yellow and sways, I take Sebastian to another tree and he poops. The End.

 

[Jimturner]

Nice lookin meller. Like chams1 said... the pads on the casque look a little shallow... could stand a few LONG showers to plump them up again. I sometimes mist for hours just to ensure they have the opportunity to drink their fill. I see in your pics that you are wearing gloves... Good idea for hygiene's sake... so why risk your other cham with close contact to your new meller?

 

[kongchi]

Nice lookin meller. Like chams1 said... the pads on the casque look a little shallow... could stand a few LONG showers to plump them up again. I sometimes mist for hours just to ensure they have the opportunity to drink their fill. I see in your pics that you are wearing gloves... Good idea for hygiene's sake... so why risk your other cham with close contact to your new meller?

Ahh yea, he/she drinks like a camel, and is probably drinking as I type this. The gloves were from me cleaning the cage that came with the little guy, it was filled with dirt and wood chips.

 

[wendyeeeo]

Yay! I love a good cham rescue story. . Congrats on your new friend. He is lucky to have you!