Snake skin and scent

[NachoTacular519]

So I'm not really sure if I'm over thinking this or not. Do chameleons have the scent capabilities to smell a predatory like a snake in their environment? I'm only wondering because I keep some sheds and the bullsnake near the chameleon and have been thinking maybe the scent of a predator could potentially stress them out. Anyone have any input/ideas?

 

[ChuWuti]

I would bet they do; nearly all animals have far better scent capabilities than humans do. The sheds may not smell very much, but the bullsnake will.

I have snakes, too, but they are downstairs and the cham is upstairs so there's at least *some* separation. I worry, though, that when the air is circulated by the furnace, it takes snake smell up to the cham. The vent in that room is closed, but still . . .

 

[NachoTacular519]

That is exactly what I was thinking actually. Probably gonna refrain from snake ownership for now on. Whats the point in keeping something boring if it stresses my chams out?

 

[Ferdy Timmerman]

I wouldn't worry about it. I know several people that breed or bred chameleons and at the same time kept snakes (and in the same room). Plus, chameleons have a very poorly developed Jacobson's organ, which suggests their sense of smell is minimal.
If they can see a snake in their surroundings, it would be a different story...

 

[NachoTacular519]

I wouldn't worry about it. I know several people that breed or bred chameleons and at the same time kept snakes (and in the same room). Plus, chameleons have a very poorly developed Jacobson's organ, which suggests their sense of smell is minimal.
If they can see a snake in their surroundings, it would be a different story...

Good point. I know they are mainly visual animals. Just not 100% on the anatomy of them yet.

 

[ReptileLove18]

i have 2 snakes in the same room of the cham cage. never seemed to bother my cham. only time he ever took notice of the snakes was the one time i had to walk by with my python when he was out of his enclosure, he stopped and looked then kept doing his thing! he seemed more concerned about my cat prowling around then either one of the snakes, of course the cat was always locked in another room when we had the cham out and the snakes were only out while he was out if i was holding them so to avoid any contact