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i have had this veiled chameleon for a few years and every summer i put her in a large screen cage outdoors to live. Im in Indiana so summer get very warm and night stay mild.

apperently this year i sat the cage ontop of a divot/dent in the ground that I didn't notice with my visual parimeter check. anyways i have found the grss and flatten and a bare bpatch of dirt about the size of a halfdollar that this hole accually is. my chameleon apprently found it too and decided to explore my yard by herself.

at least is has rain ed sense she left but i have spent two days looking for her.

anyone have any Ideas on making it easier to find her....im pretty sure she is in the hedge that is near her cage as on side is the lake and the other two are pretty much open space.

I heard of using a black light as the chameleons glow a funny color....TRUE??

any help would be nice

she is no longer that big.....sorry about that

I know this is going to sound stupid but I've found many of my runaways this way. On a day when you have time to look for her, like Saturday. Just absolutely decide you are going to find her and don't give up until you do. It works. Good luck. Don't forget to look on the ground under bushes because these are resting spots when she is moving from one locale to another. Female Veileds prefer the middle of the tree, males the top and juveniles the lower branches.

Try looking at night with a flashlight. She should make her colors pale while she is sleeping and being that she would also be sitting still, she might be easier to find.

Hope you get her back!

'Ya know, I've never heard of that little trick with the black light. It may work, but I'm not so sure. Geez, they really need to make a special contraption for chameleons in these sort of situations. "The Chameleon Capturor." -Something like that, just not so corny.

I agree, try shining a flashlight around at night- her colors should lighten up comparitevely and contrast enough with the leaves. Also, look for her in the early morning, right about the time when the sun rises. Especially if it's warm and sunny, she should be atop a bush or something trying to bask. Good luck with your search!
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Michele

Hey did you find her? Let us Know!!!

Btw, I have 'lost' several chams, all kinds and colors.

Addennum to the flashlight trick.

Try searching with the flashlight as a wide beam and dim, not focused or at full power. They do reflect in the light, but if it is too bright everything may look the same.

Also as Michele wrote, they do sit up on hte branches making them look more conspicuous. You will find other lizards this way too.

Try to figure where she went. They look to get in to big trees that they can see from where they are, like where you put the cage out. And ususally will not stop until getting there and settling. Also, Most of mine take a NW jaunt for some reason, maybe because there are more bushes or it may be instinct or something.

Lastly, don't give up, I know it is an emotional rollercoaster, but don't give up!! I have found my chams days after they were out, even one 3 months later and he was fine.

PS. It also doesn't hurt to talk with your neighbors, let them know what you're doing so they dont call the cops and put out fliers. Most people realize a strange lizard is someones and would like to get it back to the owner.

Take care,

Michael