Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi: I have a curiosity question today. I have read many of you will dust your prey with something green, such as Spirulina or parsely flakes as the color green causes picky eaters to want to eat. Can I conclude from this and the fact that Chams use Chromophlores to change colors to communicate feeling that Chams are not color blind, and can see color very well? And that colors will elicit some sort of response, almost as sure as they do humans(i.e red-hunger, blue-trust, green-peace). I also wonder then, if they are able to see colors, then will brightly colored fingernails(say bright fushia, pink) frighten a cham more? Will Green fingernails be less threatening when teaching handfeeding? What do you guys think, any of this sound possible?

Thanks-Maggie

Not sure about fingernail color being a big deal but if it's a bright one it just might. I do know that mine really hates anything red. I have a red pillow on the bed... if he happens to get near it (from basking by the window), he will turn his scared colors, hiss and gape at it. Also if I'm wearing a shirt with a lot of red in it, he refuses to come anywhere near me. I would suggest trying any sort of natural shade of color.

Cool! So it seems that from what you've seen in your Cham that the huntch I had might have some validity. I will try a more neutral shade to test out the hypothesis. Has anyone else noticed anything with your Chams that could confirm these thoughts or correct them? Thanks! Maggie

haven't actually notcied that though....anyone else notice?
And what's wrong with the color red? Is it a veiled thing or chameleon thing?

I think it's a chameleon wide thing (since mine is a Fisher's). One thought is perhaps they dislike it so much is because certain bugs or preds in the wild have that color. An instinct they have to avoid red. That's the only reason I can come up with at the moment. I would love to test other colors on them but don't want to cause him stress.

I had to stop wearing nailpolish. Orion HATED it she would freak out. ALSO, the only time I have seen her turn yellow with black bars and an orange chin (I think she was super super pissed at me) was when I had a flourescent shirt on. If you notice your cham being scared of your fingers you might want to wear gloves or take the polish off

So glad to get these confirmations from you more experienced people! Thought my thoughts about this might be a little strange, but you can't know till you're willing to think it, then ask it/test it. Well, its no nailpolish for this gal. My friends wonder what is happening to an otherwise known glam gal to them. I'll just tell them I have a new love and he likes Au Naturelle! Maggie