Panther Cham at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

[CalamityCrow]

Howdy y'all! I've been kinda quiet on here but it's because I won't be getting a new Cham until after I move into my (hopefully) forever home.

I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo over the weekend and they had a Panther on display.

The temps and humidity were quite good, but he was pretty overweight and I'm not sure about the lights. Also unsure of the rope. He's got fake plants but I know Panthers aren't as intent to nibble so that wasn't AS big a worry for me. Unfortunately I didn't take a whole enclosure photo...

What are folks' thoughts here? I know the zoo has hundreds of animals and a note to them about Cham care is probably not necessarily welcomed, but I feel like it may be worth some notes to send to them. If I do that, I'd love to make it at least sound intelligent and well-researched with some good references/articles to back it up.

 

[nightanole]

Why does casque look extra puffy? If it was a veiled id be concerned.

 

[CalamityCrow]

Why does casque look extra puffy? If it was a veiled id be concerned.

That's a major sign of obesity in a chameleon. That he's got some rolls around his neck indicate that as well. :/ He's probably just on a routine reptile feeding schedule for that whole building and gets too much food.

 

[GrannyK]

I would say something, he is overweight at risk of gout and those red lights are not good. Other than that he looks like a healthy guy. I would still let them know even though chams are small in their big zoo. Maybe it’s been overlooked by keepers for lack of knowledge. Not their fault so to say but I think I would have had to say something myself.

 

[MissSkittles]

I agree with @GrannyK that you should say something. IMHO, in order to be better heard, start off and stay positive, offer help rather than criticism, introduce yourself and explain your experience with chameleons and most important, cite where the husbandry info comes from - name names, like Bill Strand/Chameleon Academy, Petr Necas and whoever else has put in the hard work of discovering and developing our standards. (I sadly am terrible remembering names) Provide websites so that they can research correct husbandry for themselves. If they care about their animals, they will put aside egos and listen to you. Just as it’s near impossible for a vet to know all of the finer details of husbandry for so very many species and subspecies, I would think the same is true of zoo keepers.

 

[CalamityCrow]

I agree with @GrannyK that you should say something. IMHO, in order to be better heard, start off and stay positive, offer help rather than criticism, introduce yourself and explain your experience with chameleons and most important, cite where the husbandry info comes from - name names, like Bill Strand/Chameleon Academy, Petr Necas and whoever else has put in the hard work of discovering and developing our standards. (I sadly am terrible remembering names) Provide websites so that they can research correct husbandry for themselves. If they care about their animals, they will put aside egos and listen to you. Just as it’s near impossible for a vet to know all of the finer details of husbandry for so very many species and subspecies, I would think the same is true of zoo keepers.

Yeah that's generally my thinking. I just want the little guy to live his best life, and since he's a representation of chameleons to soooo many people, them knowing what a healthy one looks like is a valuable asset.

I'll write something up and send it their way.