Poor chameleons at reptile store

[shawn_melanson]

So I went to a reptile store today it was my first time going there and I was shocked when I saw Atleast 10 segegal and Jackson's chameleons in one 35-40 gallon fish tank I watch one basically stomp another into the ground in the corner then it just laid in the substrate after that I don't not know a huge amount about these two species since I just have done research on the panthers I own but please someone tell me if they think this is a bad set up for these species if there the same as panthers I know it's a terrible set up

 

[shawn_melanson]

Also this was the poor little guy that got stomped into the ground it's a bad picture but you can see if you look closely

 

[kikok1]

this isnt so bad. Im in Bulgaria and they put chameleons in aqariums for really small animals ... when i got my chameleon from the pet store he was actually burned. The heating lamp they've put was too strong and there was no place to hide. There were no branches, no plants, no leaves, a few rocks and a place for water. In the pet stores they dont look if the animals is happy they just keep it alive until someone buys it.

 

[ReptileRampage]

You have to keep in mind that petstores move animals, they are only temporary homes they arent meant to be 'forever' cages. They supply minimum care at times but they arent going to waste a bunch of money for the perfect setups. It is wrong of course to the animals, the one thing you can do is print out a care sheet from the forum and politely talk with an employee or manager and see if they will make things a little better for the animals.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

this isnt so bad. Im in Bulgaria and they put chameleons in aqariums for really small animals ... when i got my chameleon from the pet store he was actually burned. The heating lamp they've put was too strong and there was no place to hide. There were no branches, no plants, no leaves, a few rocks and a place for water. In the pet stores they dont look if the animals is happy they just keep it alive until someone buys it.

Yes it is very bad! Incorrect husbandry and a lack of care for the animals health is very bad. Keeping chameleons in glass fish tanks with no ventilation is not correct care for these animals.

 

[deathdealer91]

That is so horrible. i hate when pet stores do this. i wish somebpdy would shut them down for this. that is cruel and inhumane.

 

[shawn_melanson]

You have to keep in mind that petstores move animals, they are only temporary homes they arent meant to be 'forever' cages. They supply minimum care at times but they arent going to waste a bunch of money for the perfect setups. It is wrong of course to the animals, the one thing you can do is print out a care sheet from the forum and politely talk with an employee or manager and see if they will make things a little better for the animals.

I mean even if it's only a tempory home it's real easy to build a couple screen cages and throw a couple vines and fake plants in there rather then stick a bunch in a cage if you know anything about chameleons you'd know they hate that and it can cause you the store owner to loose a profit if stress them to death or have a person like me who walks in and goes wow that set up us terrible I won't buy a chameleon from here cause it'll probably be in bad health and possibly die on me as a store owner you have to responsible for the pets your selling and take care of them for the time that you have them wether your keeping them or not

 

[kikok1]

You have to keep in mind that petstores move animals, they are only temporary homes they arent meant to be 'forever' cages. They supply minimum care at times but they arent going to waste a bunch of money for the perfect setups. It is wrong of course to the animals, the one thing you can do is print out a care sheet from the forum and politely talk with an employee or manager and see if they will make things a little better for the animals.

true, but my chameleon actually stayed there for 1 year

 

[kikok1]

Yes it is very bad! Incorrect husbandry and a lack of care for the animals health is very bad. Keeping chameleons in glass fish tanks with no ventilation is not correct care for these animals.

i ment for the pictures. Sorry

 

[ReptileRampage]

Trust me i am well aware they neglect reptiles. Tortoises are rarely kept proper.. I see aboreal tarantulas in terrestrial set ups, i see birds that are missing feathers. 3 adult guineapigs shoved into a 20 gallon tank. Its more than just chameleons. I am in no way trying to stand up for petstores. I think most of us are aware that it isnt a good idea to purchase reptiles from a big chain store. Two things that would help is like i stated before, print out simple care sheets talk to the store managers and hope that they make a change. Also keep in mind that people working at petco and petsmart arent reptile specialists. Sure anyone can fill up a hamsters foodbowl and water bottle. But rarely will you find someone who knows proper care for reptiles much less each type of reptile. And if you do, ive heard stories of people being fired for trying to give reptiles better set ups because it was against rules. But for the majority of worners they are clueless. If you want to try to help hand out care sheets, educate them. And also as hard as it is to not rescue the poor chameleon.. Dont buy it. If sales go down, they might pull the plug and say hey these are t selling we arent going to carry them anymore. Its worth a shot to try to talk to them and educate them on the needs of the animals. Hopefully if they are shown the correct way they will decide to do their part and provide proper husbandry.