Wild Caught Chameleons

[Foist]

Can someone tell me whats difficult about wc chams?

 

[Wykd]

They are used to being free and depending on their age they could really be used to being free and their body has grown under the natural conditions and when you put them in an enclosure its not the same.

This is the same in most wc animals/reptiles/etc...

Parasites, disease that can be complicated by the stress of captivity any number of things.

Not to say that wc are impossible just more time if any to get them adjusted to ppl and being caged up.

 

[Foist]

Any other replies

 

[Texas Panther Man]

With wc chams you are dealing with the stress of importation issues. Ie lack of quality food items, probably lack of sufficient hydration for at least a few weeks. So your gonna spend at least a few days to a week just getting them properly hydrated with long misting sessions. Then the possibility of carrying internal parsites or worms. Parasites can be treated with panacur filarial worms have to be surgically removed by a vet. Then if you get past those issues you have the issue of acclimating them to a caged life. Some will accept caged life some will not. Its called the honey moon phase. Generally speaking if you can get them past the 6 mo mark you probably have them acclimatted to a cage. Once acclimatted there really no more trouble than a cbb cham. Its the initial few months that are a make or break time for the cham.

Personally, i dont recommend them for anyone that doesnt have access to a good vet W/CHAM EXP. If they dont have exp dealing with wc chams then they arent going to be much help.

 

[Slug]

Time...lots of time. I haven't had mine for very long, but I have a WC Senegal. I try handle it for a few minutes each day. I have to play it by ear and see if it is willing to be handled. For the most part, it will climb on my hand, but other times, it will just sit still and not come to me, which is fine and to be expected.

Also, make sure to get a fecal exam done by a vet to check for parasites.

You just have to take some extra care early on, and possibly the entire time you own it. I have just gotten lucky I guess.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Can someone tell me whats difficult about wc chams?

The vet bills.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

The vet bills.

Now that is funny! lol But oh so true...

 

[Carlton]

Any other replies

For some people, the idea that a free living animal was chased down, captured, and shipped halfway around the globe to live it's life out in a cage is very difficult to accept ethically. They would rather support breeders who produce animals that are used to human household activity, domestic feeders and supplements, watering techniques, and lighting from day one. You'll also know their age and health status instead of having to find out too late with a wc, or find out too late that your local vet doesn't have a clue what to do about problems.

 

[sandrachameleon]

transportation stress can have short term and possibly long term detrimental effect
initial vet bills can be high for parasite treatment, etc.
age of the animal is unknown (could be nearer to end of life than you might think)
may not acclimatize to being caged

 

[bluewuta]

The quality of the animal as well. The WCs tend to have scaring or toes missing or horns crooked, maybe noses rubbed. Where CB chameleons dont have a lot of those issues. Or at least I have noticed with my Senegals, Jacksons and Mellers. Those are three breeds you can tell the difference right away.

 

[AllFallDown]

There is also the ethical dilemma of having pulled wild animals out of the wild. If we assume that having chameleons in captivity is a good thing and in some way beneficial to them, then the question becomes (in my mind)- How many chameleons do we really need to establish a good captive population? The next question is then- Is it ok to bring in more given the potential impact upon the native population? What is the benefit/cost?

I wont pretend to have the ability to answer those questions but I would err on the side of reducing impact on wild populations and relying on genetics which are already present in captivity (if the pool is sufficiently large). One also needs to take into account the potential for poaching. Market forces are very powerful.

 

[Slug]

For some people, the idea that a free living animal was chased down, captured, and shipped halfway around the globe to live it's life out in a cage is very difficult to accept ethically. They would rather support breeders who produce animals that are used to human household activity, domestic feeders and supplements, watering techniques, and lighting from day one. You'll also know their age and health status instead of having to find out too late with a wc, or find out too late that your local vet doesn't have a clue what to do about problems.

I agree. I got mine thinking it was a captive bred Senegal, but that was due to a mix up on the store that I got it from, and their IT department copy/pasting a template to the page selling the Senegals. It's a long story, but had I known it was WC, I would not have gotten it due to those reasons, but I am now making it work. I pretty much just have to roll with what comes.

 

[Psychobunny]

The vet bills.

LOL!! best answer

 

[chameleonkev]

There can be problems but I have to WC panthers and there perfect, i must be lucky

 

[Foist]

There can be problems but I have to WC panthers and there perfect, i must be lucky

Ive heard you post about them before,You seem like the only person who supports them.

 

[slim pik]

I also have W.C. panthers,a male and female Nosey Mitsio.The male is pictured in my avatar.He was stressed when he got here,took him a little time but he settled in nicely.The biggest problem I had was the parasites he came with.He had both internal and subcutaneous parasites.The internal variety I treated with panacur the subcutaneous variety was physically removed.I've had him now for almost a year and he's doing great.As far as temperament is concerned,he's okay with being handled.Was'nt always the case.If you were to put the panther that arrived next to the one I have now you would be hard pressed to believe it's the same animal.Typically one buys W.C.'s to introduce new bloodlines into their breeding projects,or in my case a hard to get locale with the purpose of breeding in mind.If someone is looking for a relatively hassle free pet the C.B. route would be the way to go.

 

[chameleonkev]

both my male and female are ok being handled to, infact the male loves it and my cap est is in my avatar pic also and WC mitsio, good call there one of my favourite locals I've had a male now for three weeks from Germany, just got to find a female now