Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just returned from Brandon and was in a pet shop where there is housed a 30 plus inch Giant Mellers being sold for $129.00 There is NO DRIPPER, NO LIVE PLANTS, NO MISTING, he just sits on one of the dead branches with his eyes closed. I know nothing about them but would be happy to contribute funds for someone else to rescue him. His eyes are a little sunken and his skin is dry but he did seem well fed. He has not eaten for the pet store as they have only had him a week.

Maybe because melleri are my favorite species I get really hot at stuff like this. Melleri are extremely tough, but if at this time the poor animal is sitting with eyes shut it is probably dying. Melleri hardly ever use a dripper in my experience, and they drink a huge amount of water daily. It is probably in kidney and liver failure which won't be reversible. The kindest thing to do for it will be to report the shop (anonymously if you need to) to the local Animal Control or Humane Society for negligence or even abuse, have it confiscated and have a vet put it down. So sorry for being harsh and negative, but I have been down this road before and watched beautiful big melleri dwindle away miserably over a month or so despite the best care once they are in this condition.

If you really want to pursue rescue, I'd suggest joining the YahooGroups melleri forum and see if anyone on the list is in the area.

The shop did listen about misting, putting water out and said that he/she is eating. They will never carry chameleons again, they feel terrible.....he did move too a bit. How do I get on this melleri forum? this is really bothering my conscience......I would go back and get him but I am not even remotely set up for him....

i am a member of this group. To join, go to yahoo, find the link for "groups" and search for "melleri". The homesite of this group is www.melleridiscovery.com. There you can find a bunch of info too. Good Luck.

melleridiscovery.com has a link to the yahoo group, too. They are a really informative group, and although O do not keep a meller's, I have learned a ton from them regarding my other cham, especially jacksonii.

Thank you....

Well that's a nice change from the usual pet shop story! Hopefully the melleri forum can assist in getting it to a good home. I would love to help, but I am much too far away and have no space for another melleri even in a pinch. Good luck!!