Tooney's Condo

[brownie64]

I like chachi have had the experience that some are more tame than others, so I believe it's all up to the individual cham. I would caution a newbe to not be too quick to over handle their chameleon because they aren't experience enough yet to know what signs their chameleon are putting out. @jannb is a very experienced keeper who has acquired a great skill with these guys that some of us may never master. So just as a friendly caution take your time and let the chameleon be in control of the situation they like to lead. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

 

[brownie64]

Nice build I'm sure he will be much happier in here. Good job!

 

[jannb]

I love it! Do you put them on your shoulder and walk through stores or around the park too? Or do you usually have the mobile tree unit thing for them to hangout on and let them chill on that while you take care of things??

When the O.P. "psylvia" said "He goes on outings with my daughter, happily perched atop her head" -- I kind of envisioned your outings / errands the same way: with a chameleon perched on your head or on your shoulder. That's kind of what I was getting at I guess when I asked if it stresses them. In most of your pics though, your chameleons are chilling on that sweet little vine tree stand. Do you actually take them into stores and things of the such too, such as through the grocery store like the O.P. does? THAT'S what I would figure would stress them a bit with all the walking around on a shoulder instead of a branch, unfamiliar faces walking by you in the stores or at parks, unnatural environment in stores.....

That doesn't cause them to freak out? I know traveling freaks my little man out a bit, but he isn't used to it like yours is. And I've NEVER even TRIED to walk around a store or a park or anything with him. It never really crossed my mind. But yours can do all these things... and not freak out?

If that's the case, then maybe the common belief that chameleons don't like to be handled a lot doesn't hold as true as everyone is made to believe. I handle my chameleon minimally, only once or twice a week to go out for sun, and I can clean the cage while he is out too. When he was younger, I handled him a bit more often so that way he would get used to me and know I am not a threat. As he grew, I slowly began to handle him less and less so that way he can be nice and happy because I, just like many others, have read time and time again that chameleons should not be handled regularly because it stresses them.

If you go out and about with your chameleon a lot and they are used to it and don't care, then that opens a whole new chapter in the world of chameleons. It shows that they CAN like it, if they become accustomed to it. I, like many others, have always had the belief that they like to be left alone most of the time, but you sound like you spend LOTS of time with them and they love it! That's really neat. I guess they can become more tame than previously thought.....

I do both the hand, shoulder and little perch with my chameleons. The other day we went to the vet and my husband wanted to go to Home Depot afterwards so I just carried Amos in on his little tree and he rode in the buggy and he shopped in the Home Depot with us for about an hour. He was alert and standing tall looking around at everything. The picture of Cooper looking out over the water, that is a restaurant that we eat at in the keys and we normally get an outside table but one day it was raining and the manager come out he says come on in bring the babies inside to eat. They often go in the post office with me just on my hand or shoulder and sometimes they get on my head. The post masters love to see what eats all the bugs I pick up at the PO. My daughter kept chameleons before me and I just though this was a normal thing to do. When she came home from college in the summer her chameleons did vacations and everything with us. I can't count the number of times her cham Vega rode on her head from the west coast of FL home to the east coast for the weekends. Once he even got her out of a traffic citation because she was driving a bit crazy trying to clean poop out of her hair. Yes, he pooped on her head. And BTW Vega lived to the nice old age of 8 years old. He was very happy and well loved.

 

[Theveiled]

I do both the hand, shoulder and little perch with my chameleons. The other day we went to the vet and my husband wanted to go to Home Depot afterwards so I just carried Amos in on his little tree and he rode in the buggy and he shopped in the Home Depot with us for about an hour. He was alert and standing tall looking around at everything. The picture of Cooper looking out over the water, that is a restaurant that we eat at in the keys and we normally get an outside table but one day it was raining and the manager come out he says come on in bring the babies inside to eat. They often go in the post office with me just on my hand or shoulder and sometimes they get on my head. The post masters love to see what eats all the bugs I pick up at the PO. My daughter kept chameleons before me and I just though this was a normal thing to do. When she came home from college in the summer her chameleons did vacations and everything with us. I can't count the number of times her cham Vega rode on her head from the west coast of FL home to the east coast for the weekends. Once he even got her out of a traffic citation because she was driving a bit crazy trying to clean poop out of her hair. Yes, he pooped on her head. And BTW Vega lived to the nice old age of 8 years old.

I think im going to have to try to take Stark out. He loves to be out of his cage. I would think he would like it when its warm. He has already been to an outreach program with me and all the kids loved him. He didnt seem too bothered either. He sat in his smaller cage and even wanted out a few times. I did not pressure him to come out as it was his first time around a group of people!

 

[trickedoutbiker]

Once he even got her out of a traffic citation

I might have to start traveling with mine..... may come in handy one day....

But in all reality, that is really really neat Jann. I know a few people that have wanted to see my chameleon, but would never come to my hose to see him. People like the lady at the plant nursery, the guy at the bait shop I get some of my feeders from..... They've seen pics, but never the actual chameleon. I might have to take him on a ride one day just to see how he takes to it. Not far at first. Probably start with a walk before I ever take him anywhere in a car. Maybe start with just a small walk and see how he reacts. I'd love to go strolling around the park with him on my shoulder. He could get some awesome sun rays while I explore nature. Might even nab a stray bug or two. And I'd love to be able to take him places without him getting all mad and stressed as well. Then the bait shop owner could finally see him!

Super cool! And it's also really neat that a restaurant owner would do that for you. Really friendly people. Sounds like you share an absolutely wonderful connection with your pets. SWEET!!!!!

 

[psylvia]

This is the first I've ever heard of people taking their chameleons on errands and outings...... Wouldn't that typically stress them out? Typically, chameleons don't like to be handled a lot and they don't like a lot of unfamiliar things.... so wouldn't taking them out and about where there are TONS of unknown things and TONS of people walking past you and such, stress them out? When it comes to traveling, I also know that most people recommend a dark box when say, going to a new house or taking the chameleon to the vet. A dark box is usually recommended because the chameleon can't see what is going on, such as trees passing the car as you drive, other drivers passing you as you drive, so on and so forth..... and therefore, it is less stress on the cham.

Now, I'm NOT saying that it is bad you both take your chameleons out and about.... I'm basically asking - Doesn't it stress them a bit? Or are they just super super friendly and love to hangout?

Neat...

He likes to hang out with my daughter. She can pretty much do whatever she likes and he's ok with it. He completely trusts her but he's not that way with everyone. He's just so used to being on her head that it's just normal for him. I have no hair so he has nothing to grab onto ) He also likes having the back of his Veil rubbed (pet) lightly and falls asleep. Its quite cute

 

[psylvia]

I really love the looks of that enclosure!
Before it was painted it looked already so nice, you could have probably just clear coated it.

We liked it too but We wanted it to match the furniture I built her a few years ago is why we painted it

 

[psylvia]

Nice build I'm sure he will be much happier in here. Good job!

Thank you. He's already visibly more content. He now has live plants and I'm putting together an automated misting system next.

 

[psylvia]

I bought him some live plants the other day. I got an umbrella plant, cane tree and Jasmine vine. I ended up removing the vine as it was just too crowded. The other two need to be pruned a little and I'm building the misting system setup this weekend. Was able to piece together a misting system for about $60 and it works great!! Nice fine mist at 1 gallon per hour. I have a timer for it and float switch with a relay coming in case the bucket becomes empty it will shut off the pump.