R.I.P Niles, the three month old Blue bar Ambilobe

[Pilotman800]

Many have been messaging me asking about the status of Niles. Unfortunately, he has not been found. Later this morning, at around 11:30 AM Eastern time, it will be 5 days that he has had no food or water. I think it is too late for the little guy.

Im sorry little dude. I hope that you enjoyed your life while you were with me. I wish I could go back and make sure I closed his cage, but life isn't that easy...

Considering my thread reached 18 pages, had almost 200 replies, had more than half the views of the husbandry sticky, and had more views than the quarantine sticky, everyone here on the Chameleon Forums (Besides a couple of rude people) showed how much they care for their fellow forum members and chameleons. Words can not describe how grateful I am for all your help and support in trying to find him. I just wish my situation turned out differently. I ordered a BB Ambilobe from Jim, that is actually the brother of Niles. I am going to name him Waldo.

Anyway, here is the last photo I took of my little guy. I can't believe im writing this, but... Rest in peace, Niles. Ill miss you.


https://www.chameleonforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41947&stc=1&d=1317012638

 

[suzi]

So sorry you haven't found him my thoughts are with you both.

 

[KatiLemons]

Oh I was just wonderin if you had found your little guy! So sorry to hear the news.

 

[krknieriem]

Well since you live in a good climate area lets think positive, he may have got outside and will live a full life out there, maybe someone else loses a female and he can find love, whatever the case I wish you better luck with your next cham and you have made me to start checking twice the locks on the enclosures before leaving the room

 

[laurie]

RIP little one, you had a short one, but hopefully you know you were loved.

 

[bigcappa]

Sucks you haven't found him yet, you never know there could still be hope. If nothing else, you learned a lot and think about all the knowledge you can bring to your next cham!

 

[Olimpia]

I still wouldn't give up hope though! Keep looking if you can, unless he was eaten by another pet or something along those lines, he could very well still be there. I tell you, I found a gecko 7 months later, alive and very well. These guys have gotten lost in the Nevada desert and been found months later, alive and doing OK. You'd be surprised how well these animals, especially being cold blooded and with a slow metabolism, can hold up to challenges.

I urge you to not give up. Take care of your new guy, but continue to keep an eye out for Niles. He really could still be there, somewhere. I'm still so sorry this happened to you, how unfortunate.

 

[Lancecham]

I have also found a lost veiled one year later after it went missing. She was perfectly fine. She survived the hottest of days as well as the coldest of days.
My neighbor told me the other day that she saw another veiled climbing the telephone wires in her backyard. This one went missing the same time as the other(cage malfunction). So this one has been gone for 2 years.
Don't give up hope.

 

[DavidBuchan]

It's a hard situation to be in, I know, and I once lost a Rat Snake who never turned up........I wouldn't be giving up hope and ordering his brother just yet though, lizards can always go longer without food than you would expect. I've had my male eating nothing for a week out of stubborness (he always has crickets on offer, he's just 'not hungry' for them).
P.s. his brother should surely be called either 'Frazier' or even better 'Sideshow Bob'.......

 

[lumbasammler]

Hey Dude,
i wouldn´t give up hope so easily, i once found my ch.dilepis after it´s been lost for more than a week. He´s been hiding INSIDE the couch- you see they reach places you wouldn´t expect them to so just search about EVERYWHERE and make sure to always shut the door when you leave a room.

 

[DavidBuchan]

HOW can you lose a chameleon? HOW?

2 seconds of looking the wrong way can do it, they are sneaky little monsters.........accidents can happen, life finds a way, let's not be judgmental, there but for the grace of God go even you or I.......

 

[Robyrango]

I didn't mean to be judgmental, I got my first chameleon 10 days ago, and I've been extra careful..I was just wondering how such a thing can happen..

 

[Pilotman800]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I have not stopped the searching. I am remaining on the lookout just incase, but I think the actual searching is slowly starting to subside.

I am also in the process of making my room "chameleon proof" to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I hope in the process ill find him.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

My experience in this lasted 4 days. Kruiser learned how to push a zoomed door open on the same day workmen came in unannounced to replace carbon mon detectors, and left the front door open.
I looked EVERYWHERE all the time. 4 days later I was still looking outside, figured he was gone. Looked again and there he was, starring at me!. He looked at me like "im cold, thirsty, hungry". He was not 7mo old.
He is strong as ever.
So don't count him out just yet!, and if you do find him better get another setup fast!, cause his replacement is in the way

 

[a2zcreatures]

i have an idea my friend.. you have an almost identical cham now.. let him loose.. and watch where he goes.. he could lead you right to him or close enough! chameleons lived millions of years without our care.. they can do it again.. all it would have taken was a few random bugs and he would be fine... Dont give up.

 

[DavidBuchan]

I didn't mean to be judgmental, I got my first chameleon 10 days ago, and I've been extra careful..I was just wondering how such a thing can happen..

It's just the internet......capital letters do make people defensive sometimes......and the forum can be ruthless sometimes, it's a jungle in here, lol
Good on you for being extra careful, I guess you won't be doing much taking the Chameleon outside over the winter in Ireland? I've had a couple of short panics over my chams in the garden.........it's a horrible feeling to have a lost Cham......

 

[Pilotman800]

i have an idea my friend.. you have an almost identical cham now.. let him loose.. and watch where he goes.. he could lead you right to him or close enough! chameleons lived millions of years without our care.. they can do it again.. all it would have taken was a few random bugs and he would be fine... Dont give up.

I thought about that, but I don't know if he would move around with me there. It is certainly worth a try, though.

 

[jake01]

I almost lost my veiled outside once...was free ranging him when the doorbell rang. I put him back in his cage, but in my haste forgot to latch the cage shut fully. Anyway I sign for the package at the door, return outside, and the cage door is partially open and no chameleon in sight . After the initial shock, I started scanning the lawn since he had only one or two routes he could have taken, and low and behold I spot his yellow stripes. He was sprinting on the grass towards the immense Australian pine trees that line my lake. Upon scooping him up, he delivered a swift bite to my hand that broke skin. If I had stopped to get a drink inside, I probably would have lost him. The smallest tree is easily 60 feet.

 

[TheSeymoursDOTcom]

rip niles lil guy

 

[okiroo]

i wont say RIP untill you know for shure. and i hope i wont have to say so. but i wish the best for niles and you.