Will a 4 hour car ride stress my chameleon too much?

amandac89

amandac89

New Member
I just got my chameleon a month ago. Now that summer is here, I like taking trips up the mountains. It's a 4 hour drive. Would that be too much? If not, could I leave him in his cage and put it right in the car?
 
It depends how easily stressed out your cham gets. Personally I'd either hold mine (they're very well adapted to being held). If yours isn't so adapt and if you're the driver then I'd put it in it's cage (assuming the cage wouldn't be jostled around a lot inside the car) and cover it, if it's warm enough in the car and dark inside the cage it might sleep for that short trip, and not notice that "oh god, I'm moving". On the car trip from the person who brought me Bobo he had him in a large cricket keeper with a stick and put that inside a cardboard box with crunched newspaper balls around it. Enough so he wasn't freaked out by his surroundings but not so much that he suffocated.
 
If your chameleon is still nervous and adjusting to its new home, I would see if I could find a responsible family member/friend to watch it at home. Otherwise, mine made 3.5 hr car trips often with me. At first, I purchased small traveling containers for each one, and covered their containers with a towel. They slept the whole way like this. Eventually, they began to stay awake and want out, and were happy with sitting on my boyfriend's shoulder or head. I never let them out in the car while I was driving, though... too much of a distraction! However, they adjusted well to car rides. Just feel your chameleon's stress levels, and adapt from there. Eventually he will be ready! :)
 
Thanks!

Thanks for the input. I've only had him for about a month. At first, he would run for his life when I opened the door to his tank. Sometimes he would even fall just running from my hand. I refrained from handling him. After taking his whole tank outside and leaving the door open a few times, he seems to be warming up to me. He stopped running from my hand so I will handle him more soon. If he seems ready for it in a month, then I will try holding him for the ride.
 
No, nothing he can't recover from. Putting them in a small, dark space (like a box) is usually best. Animals get less stressed if they can't see (counter-intuitive, I know, but true) so a in a little box they may even fall asleep. If not, they'll be unhappy but no worse for wear.

I've done countless 3-4 hour car rides with my gang and Daedalus could always manage to get out of his box, so after a few times of having to pull over on the high way to try to get him back in, I just decided he was OK riding on the headrest. He's docile enough that he gets up there and doesn't move or get freaked out. So this is how we go to shows or to the vet now if I'm alone in the car. Granted, it's unsafe for him, which is why I recommend a box first. The headrest is fabric so he has a good grip on it but if we ever have to stop dry, I don't know that he wouldn't end up as a blue pancake.
 
Thanks.

Thanks again for the input. If any of you get a chance, can you check out the picture I have up. I was wondering if he looks well and about how old he could be.
 
For a lot of chameleons, putting them in a dark box is best. Some prefer to be out, but a lot will just sleep the ride away in the box. When I have to move mine like that I just set them in the box with a small rag to hold onto and let them fall asleep before I bring them to the car.

How long will you be staying at your destination before you bring it back? It's probably best to leave it home and have someone care for it if you aren't staying for very long trips.
 
Hi! How long are you planning on spending in the mountains? I think that's a factor. If it's just a night, then there's no need to put your chameleon through that. Even if it's a weekend I think you'd be better off leaving it assuming you either have automated care or someone you can trust to turn lights off/on and mist.
 
I'll probably be going for a week. If it's anything less than that, I most likely won't bring him and see if I can get someone to care for him.
 
Well, then, I think taking him along is probably reasonable. Is someone going with you? Because if you have a travelling companion and he/she would be willing to hold the box with your chameleon, that would save your chameleon a lot of jostling. People act as natural shock absorbers. If not, then I would put the chameleon in a shipping box (airholes! put a stick in the box to hold onto) and put the box in the bottom of the cage. On the off chance that he's an escape artist, he'll at least be in the cage until you can pull over.
 
I don't recommend the stick in the box because they can end up hitting the stick which can cause issues. If it's loose it can poke the animals and if it's fixed the animals can slam into it.
 
amandac89 said:
I just got my chameleon a month ago. Now that summer is here, I like taking trips up the mountains. It's a 4 hour drive. Would that be too much? If not, could I leave him in his cage and put it right in the car?
Click to expand...

same state.. haha\ just\ 6make\ sure\ he\ is\ secure.. they dont like being bounced around so on your way to the moutians look out for potholes:p
 
Do you mean take him to the Mountains for a day trip or overnight trip? Then I would leave him home... For some reason I get the impression you just want to take him up for the day because you think he will enjoy the mountains if this is the case it will be unnecessary stress. However if you will be up there a few days follow everybody else's advice. I usually put mine in a large shoe box with a towel on the bottom and a branch for him to stand on and they usually just fall asleep and chill, I am sure he will be fine if you try to drive calm.
 
Oh, oops! I somehow missed that post but saw the one below it lol. Disregard the first part of my last post then, sorry!
 
Haha.

Yeah, I'm not going up the mountains for him to take in the scenery. My family has a cabin and I like spending my time off from work up there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Lucas00-
Anyone know of any good veterinarian that know about chameleons in Southern/Central Oregon, or Northern California?
Replies
1
Views
326
MissSkittles
MissSkittles
egk
Chameleon becoming territorial?
Replies
4
Views
971
egk
egk
G
Always seeming stressed
Replies
13
Views
1K
Beman
Beman
frannybobanny
A couple questions about feeding!
Replies
3
Views
385
kinyonga
K
frannybobanny
New chameleon owner!
Replies
3
Views
556
kinyonga
K
Back
Top Bottom