thoughts on Christmas tree or Pine tree ?

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

looking to open the discussion on how detrimental to the health of my cham is it to place him on my Christmas tree for a photo? my research has led me to understand pine sap may not be good, but not much study has been put onto this topic its more he say she say from what I gather ?

 

[Hashtag ChamLife]

looking to open the discussion on how detrimental to the health of my cham is it to place him on my Christmas tree for a photo? my research has led me to understand pine sap may not be good, but not much study hasn't been put onto this topic its more he say she say from what I gather ?

Yea... I'd go with no. I was tempted to do the same, but honestly, the way a chameleon climbs through a tree the needles are an issue. Beyond that, the sap is an issue and theres no doubt that they will get some of it on them - which is very difficult to remove, especially without chemicals.

The risk vs reward comes out to an absolute NO to me. I'd suggest you putting 5he cham in your hand in front of the tree... or do a little photoshop!

Best of luck!

 

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

both valid points, my biggest concern was poking his eye with an needle or like you said the sap, I placed him there for a photo then quickly removed him, so I don't think there's huge concern for health issues. but the photo received hell of backlash lol

 

[Hashtag ChamLife]

both valid points, my biggest concern was poking his eye with an needle or like you said the sap, I placed him there for a photo then quickly removed him, so I don't think there's huge concern for health issues. but the photo received hell of backlash lol

Yea. Exactly my thought. Mostly you're gonna get backlash... that's part of why I stopped letting my wife post photos on her Facebook. Too many people eager to tear you down...

It's a cool shot though, and a pretty boy!

Best wishes!

 

[jamest0o0]

Are they sharp needles? I mean, it's not the end of the world given no sap or sharp needles. Maybe hide a branch through it that he can sit on while you get a picture. I'd just emphasize that pine trees are not safe for chameleons in your photo and that you safely did it for a second to get a picture... something of that nature

 

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

Are they sharp needles? I mean, it's not the end of the world given no sap or sharp needles. Maybe hide a branch through it that he can sit on while you get a picture. I'd just emphasize that pine trees are not safe for chameleons in your photo and that you safely did it for a second to get a picture... something of that nature

I like that idea next year ill place a branch in to mitigate the risk.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Its all about the sap. As far as his eyes, chams evolved to survive in a world of underbrush. Tons of eye-poking opportunities....

The SAP, while it is possible a spec or two gets on him, isn't a huge crazy risk either. The odds of that happening for the 5 seconds to take the pic is pretty low. Anytime you stray away from the "group think" and "helicopter keepers" of today your always going to get backlash and oversimplified arguments that eventually loose track of the original concern. In other words, snowflakes.

As the keeper, its your job to have the common sense needed to judge the situation and determine the best path forward.

 

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

Its all about the sap. As far as his eyes, chams evolved to survive in a world of underbrush. Tons of eye-poking opportunities....

The SAP, while it is possible a spec or two gets on him, isn't a huge crazy risk either. The odds of that happening for the 5 seconds to take the pic is pretty low. Anytime you stray away from the "group think" and "helicopter keepers" of today your always going to get backlash and oversimplified arguments that eventually loose track of the original concern. In other words, snowflakes.

As the keeper, its your job to have the common sense needed to judge the situation and determine the best path forward.

extremely well put Brody !! I put the research in before allowing contact, the risk to me was very low. being so fascinated with my Elliot I wanted to send Christmas cards. thanks for the input fortifying my decision making !

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I'm no horticulturalist but Id also think that there has to be some kind of tree/plant out there in Madagascar with sticky stuff coming out of it...

 

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

I'm no horticulturalist but Id also think that there has to be some kind of tree/plant out there in Madagascar with sticky stuff coming out of it...

yess thank you, I researched the chams natural habitat an what trees they would encounter. at some point I'm sure they come into contact with a pine tree an live to tell the tale everytime !!

 

[MissSkittles]

Don’t forget about artificial trees and the multitude of other Christmas decorations.

 

[Syreptyon]

Firstly, I agree that it's on the owner to understand a chameleon's boundaries, safety parameters, etc. It really can be a case-by-case basis. But since you asked, here's my actual opinion:

While I agree that the likelihood of this being detrimental is fairly low, I still don't think it's worth it. Your chameleon has nothing to gain from this activity. Only you do. IMO, it's selfish to do something for yourself which uses a living animal as a holiday prop, especially when you know there is even a small possibility of it causing harm. No photo opportunity is worth willingly risking an animal's wellbeing. Especially a loved one.

I see it as a simple risk vs reward scenario. The reward (a cute, if controversial, picture) is minimal and self-serving, while the risk (a harmed chameleon) is potentially severe, even if it is unlikely.

 

[Elliot the Tree Dragon]

Firstly, I agree that it's on the owner to understand a chameleon's boundaries, safety parameters, etc. It really can be a case-by-case basis. But since you asked, here's my actual opinion:

While I agree that the likelihood of this being detrimental is fairly low, I still don't think it's worth it. Your chameleon has nothing to gain from this activity. Only you do. IMO, it's selfish to do something for yourself which uses a living animal as a holiday prop, especially when you know there is even a small possibility of it causing harm. No photo opportunity is worth willingly risking an animal's wellbeing. Especially a loved one.

I see it as a simple risk vs reward scenario. The reward (a cute, if controversial, picture) is minimal and self-serving, while the risk (a harmed chameleon) is potentially severe, even if it is unlikely.

your feedback has a great point, i can see where you view it as being selfish. as keepers we are to provide the best situations for our chams, but I do believe enjoying the cham from time to time in a selfish manner isn't a big issue. I mean hey, we are raising our creatures in a enclosed environment that mimics there natural habitat but isn't so the selfishness is already there...

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Your chameleon has nothing to gain from this activity. Only you do. IMO, it's selfish to do something for yourself which uses a living animal as a holiday prop, especially when you know there is even a small possibility of it causing harm.

If this really is your opinion(which your entitled to) why do you have a cham at all? Are you(everyone here)not keeping chams because of a selfish desire to own one for whatever reason?

Genuine question^ not trying to be a dick.

 

[Hashtag ChamLife]

If this really is your opinion(which your entitled to) why do you have a cham at all? Are you(everyone here)not keeping chams because of a selfish desire to own one for whatever reason?

Genuine question^ not trying to be a dick.

That may be the case if chams were never introduced into the pet trade. The way I see it is that we the keepers are providing a better "life" for the cham than the pet store, perhaps even the breeder, would.

I've always bought my animals with the intent to make their lives better... not because it fulfills some desire to exert control over a "lesser" species. That's not to say that my motives are pure, as I chose which animal to buy based on its appeal to me.

On a broader note, "selfish desire" is in everything we as a species do. Otherwise there would be only self sustaining farmers and no need to have 90inch TVs (for one example).

 

[absolutbill]

I'm not going to join in the "is owning a chameleon selfish" debate, but wanted to throw a different idea out regarding placing your little buddy into a tree for a pic. Those ornaments are generally attached to the tree by using hooks and can be shiny. Chameleons are pretty curious by nature and my fear would be that it would shoot it's tongue at an ornament, light, tinsel, etc, and get caught on a hook or otherwise hurt itself. Personally I wouldn't do it, but I'm not going to yuck someone's yum because of a possibility that has only about .001% of happening.