Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I awoke this morning to turn on my chameleon's lights, when I noticed something wrong. My veiled chameleon that had stunted growth, zebu, always slept in one corner of his cage. I searched the cage frantically only to only see that he was on the bottom of the cage...dead. I felt terrible about this, especially becuase I had just taken him to the vet yesterday, only for a check up. This morning, I took him in for a "reptile autopsy" and the vet said he didnt even need one. The cuase of his death was from a fall he took. He lives in a 2 by 2 by 2 screen enclosure becuase his stunted growth has confined him to no bigger a cage. He must have been at the top of the cage, when he lost his balance or grip, and fell to the bottom of the cage...head first. I did then relize the small bruise by his temple. I will really miss him, becuase I have grown especially attached to his "special needs" Do you think the cage I kept him in was too large, for he was only a 3 inch chameleon...Thank you
Michele

So very sad to hear this, I am new to this particular forum but certainly not new to reptiles as pets. It is heart breaking, and I feel your sorrow.

I just had a sweet little girl collared lay her eggs, and after complications died, I too was devastated, but these things happen to animals, and people alike.

I sometimes think our SPECIAL needs critters, hurt more when they leave as we tend to bond so strongly, knowing how hard they have tried to live their life despite their problems.

I'm sure you did the best you could, hope you feel better soon.

As far as your question about his cage, I do not have an answer for that but seems as though there are MANY here who have much knowledge and would help you in a heartbeat.

Take care,
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PHEve / Eve

Michele,

I am so sorry thsi happened Loss is always hard and I feel for you. I lost a trio of leaf chams a couple years ago (all at once) after only having them for about 4 months. I still miss them.

As for the cage, yes, 2x2x2 is a bit large for such a tiny chameleon, but in the future if that is the only cage available be sure to stuff it with foliage so that if he does take a fall there will be lots he can grab on to on the way down. or partition it off so he only has access to a smaller area. Also, always cup feed in a large cage or the cham may not be able to find enough food (you may have already been doing this).

Again, I am sad for you

lele
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

My condolenses for your loss.
Very sorry to hear about this. Keep in mind that you DID just take it to the vet. You did about as much as you could for the little guy, so don't find blame in providing a big enclosure. Just one of those things.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I agree. Don't feel badly about giving it more space to live in. There is a psychological need for space as well as a physical one. Being stunted probably meant there were other problems present that added to the fall...by itself its not very likely to have caused death. I would much rather have a cham in too large a space than too small. It probably had a much better life with you than with many other clueless keepers.

Everyone,
Thank you so much for your support and consideration! It has really helped me feel much better. Thanks again
Michele