Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a healthy 8inch male Panther Chameleon, 'Lucifer'. For some time hes enjoyed his large solitary home and is growing very well. My concern is that I have to move from Los Angeles, CA to St.Louis, MO. I am making a 3 day drive, being that I have to transport all my belongings to my new home. Though I do not know what is the best procedure for transporting my beloved Lucifer. Is it best to ship him on his own via plane, or will that be too stressful? Or should I take him along with me through the 3 day desert trip? Also, for either method, how should I go about preparing him for the travel and what can I do to ensure his safe arrival at our new home?

Thanks for any help, Amber

Amber,
You had me going when you said Lucifer.... I was thinking you were someone else LOL.... If I were you, I'd try to find someone in LA that could keep him for a week or so until you're in and settled in the new place, and have him shipped to you. By then you can have the cage settled in, and everything back to somewhat normal by the time you get him back. I moved a year and a half ago, and it was a nightmare. And that was only an 8 mile trip. Come on Los Angeles people, someone step up to the plate!

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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

Thanks for the tip, though I am not a Los Angeles native, nor is it considered my home, so please do not refer to me as "los angeles people".
Anyway, to the point at hand.
Shipping at a later date is a very unlikely option, though I do have a large (about the size of an 80 gallon tank (not an aquaruim, but thats the relative size of the enclosure (fully outfitted with plants and climbing vines, at the house I am moving to, though the person living there knows nothing of chameleons. There is also the issue that, Lucifer, named for his aggression to people he doesn't know, will frighten the person awaiting his arrival. I fear, she will not be able to deal with unpacking him and putting him in the cage, even if it is a moments handling. Though if I am am able to get the shipping idea to become a reality, how would I go about preparing him for shipping? And if I cannot get the shipping idea to fly (no pun intended), how would I go about moving him via car? Thanks again for all the help, Amber

I was referring to someone in Los Angeles volunteering to watch your chameleon for a few days until you made the trip and got the cage set up again, then shipping it to you. Moving him via-car would probably be difficult for that long since he probably wouldn't eat in such an odd situation, and watering him would be the same problem. If you could ship him, I would try to find someone in town there that has all that set up, and can ship for you. Doing shipping legally the first time can take some work to set up. I know alot of people ship without doing it legally, but that's their call I guess.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

I see, well thanks, Still feel awful I have to put the little guy through all this, but shipping him does look like the safer route for him.
Thanks, Tyler You've been a great help, Amber

Hi tyler, what do you mean by shipping leggaly? How do you ship a chameleon leggaly..and hwat is considered illegal shipping?

This is off the subject a bit, but there is a superb chameleon vet there near st.louis if you should ever need him. He's at the Clarkson-Wilson Vet clinic. I have taken all w.c.'s to him and he has high regards.