Veiled Color Change

[jojackson]

Hi folks,
I recently read an article that was about a study that determined that chameleons change color less for camoflague (*spell), than they do for communication (mood, breeding, territorty etc).
That is the effort to change color depends on the perceived predator, eg birds having better eyesight than snakes (color vision) means the cham will blend more than it will with a snake since the snakes color vision is poor.
It was a great Article.

Anyway, my question to keepers of captive chams, veiled chams in particular is this:

Do you decorate your terrariums etc especially to illicit brighter colors from your chams?

Do your male chams generally show brighter colors (when happy) than they might in drab surroundings?

How much does changing enviroment, eg your colored clothing, or other fabrics etc, effect how your male chams 'color up' when walking over/or passing by them?

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Does playfully tricking your chameleon into color changes negatively effect its health.

Thanks for any responses in advance.

p.s. I have seen the plant list here, but apart from those listed, what plant matter/veg/fruit if any, do you offer veiled chams?

 

[Dave]

Hi folks,
I recently read an article that was about a study that determined that chameleons change color less for camoflague (*spell), than they do for communication (mood, breeding, territorty etc).
That is the effort to change color depends on the perceived predator, eg birds having better eyesight than snakes (color vision) means the cham will blend more than it will with a snake since the snakes color vision is poor.
It was a great Article.

Anyway, my question to keepers of captive chams, veiled chams in particular is this:

Do you decorate your terrariums etc especially to illicit brighter colors from your chams?

Not really, I'd rather my chams have a natural, less-stress surroundings than brightly colored surroundings.

Do your male chams generally show brighter colors (when happy) than they might in drab surroundings?

Yes, chams show much brighter colors when happy. If you cham is unhappy, in too small of a cage, or catches sight of another cham, he/she will get very dark colored.

How much does changing enviroment, eg your colored clothing, or other fabrics etc, effect how your male chams 'color up' when walking over/or passing by them?

My chams don't try to blend in with the color of my shirt or anything like that, nor do I think many chams do. I think it's just as you said earlier, colors are really used to attract mates and scare away predators.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Does playfully tricking your chameleon into color changes negatively effect its health.
Well as I said earlier, chams will flare up their colors in sight of other chams and as signs of stress or fear, so "tricking" your cham into firing up too much is never a good thing, as stress can be a big killer of chams.


Thanks for any responses in advance.

p.s. I have seen the plant list here, but apart from those listed, what plant matter/veg/fruit if any, do you offer veiled chams?

Strawberries and greens are popular

 

[jojackson]

Thanks for your response CGSLIM,

Any particular 'greens' Generally safe and acceptable to cams (veiled)?

E.g asian greens like buk choy etc? Also, how are these offered?

Do you put them on a plate or clip leaves to branches etc?

Apart from Hibiscus flowers, any other flowers safe? I think I read dandelines somewhere? would that be the flowers aswell or just the leaves?

Thanks again.

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."Do you decorate your terrariums etc especially to illicit brighter colors from your chams?"...no. IMHO, its the light (and mood) that will affect their colors to some extent in the cage.

You said.."Do your male chams generally show brighter colors (when happy) than they might in drab surroundings?"...colors change for a variety of reasons. When they sleep the colors are often lighter. When they are upset their colors change. When you move them outside their "territory" they will often change. When the female is gravid/non-receptive or receptive she will often display different colors and patterns.

You said..."How much does changing enviroment, eg your colored clothing, or other fabrics etc, effect how your male chams 'color up' when walking over/or passing by them?"..the color of clothing can affect chameleons. With veileds, I've found wearing a red or bright pink really upsets them. Some other colors and patterns too will cause reactions.

You said..."MOST IMPORTANTLY: Does playfully tricking your chameleon into color changes negatively effect its health"...when done to a veiled once in a while it shouldn't hurt. Some species you can almost scare to death by "tricking" them.

You said..."I have seen the plant list here, but apart from those listed, what plant matter/veg/fruit if any, do you offer veiled chams?"...I haven't looked at the plant list here for some time...but you can offer veileds greens (dandelion, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.) and a bit of fruit (apple, pear, melon, berries, etc.) The greens can be offered by clipping a piece to the side of the cage. The greens, veggies and fruit can also be cut into suitable sized pieces and placed in a dish where the chameleon can find them. Non-toxic flowers and plant leaves can also be offered.