Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got in from work to find all my chameleons outside and dead.
Apparently they were put out early this morning to get some sun before it gets too hot. Bernie then took the van in to get some work done, but I guess she forgot about the chameleons outside. She usually puts them out in the morning for a couple of hours.
It wasn't as hot today as it had been, but it was still over 110 this afternoon.
My two veileds, the baby panther I just from Tyler, all three of them are gone. I had the two veileds together since yesterday, when Apollo and Seren began mating. Seren was VERY fat, too. Probably swollen with eggs.
I'm still in shock about this. It hasn't sunk in. And I don't think I'll be posting much, so forgive if you don't hear from me.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I am just sick for you. I cannot imagine how you are feeling. Bernie must be devastated. I don't know what else I can say.

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Bernie is still out. Her van was hit by someone in the Wal Mart parking lot, and she's been delayed filling out police reports. She was even MORE delayed this morning by the having the van in the shop while she waited with the kids.
I was on the phone with her when I got home and I couldn't believe it when I saw the chameleons still outside, so I said to her- 'OMG YOU KILLED THE CHAMELEONS' jokingly.
I thought they may be a little hot. I wasn't expecting to see all 3 gone like that.
I feel horrible. First the chams die, then I say something stupid like that. She thinks I meant that and that I blame her for the deaths.
Sorry for this morbid detail to follow: don't read it if you don't want, I'll space a few times to give an out. Do not read if you're squeemish.

By the time I got home, the little panther I got from Tyler (which more than doubled in size since I got it, btw) was completely covered in ants. They had reduced the little one to bones. I just found in fascinating that the ants were so efficient in their work.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Im so sorry for your loss! What a horrible way to find them.
Is there any way you might be able to save the eggs the one was carrying? That is if they might have been far enough along to incubate?

Either way so sorry for you guys!

Erin
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1:1 Veileds (Gene and Alis)
1:0 Sambava Panther (Knoxville)
1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
Various cats and dogs

No, they had just mated the day before. She was showing some receptive coloration and seemed to be enjoying Apollo's company. What I mean is that she wasnt running from him, and she seemed to stay close to him all day yesterday. Dammit if she didn't look content. Besides, Seren was fat, but not jellybean belly.
The thing that really makes this difficult is that Apollo was a real sweetheart. No aggressive behavior on his part. Not towards me, not towards Seren. Very well-mannered. A very gentle creature. I found them laying right next to each other.
My only consolation is that I have 18 have very special eggs incubating from their last union, dated 04/22/05.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Poor Bernie, too. I hope she realizes that you didn't mean it. This must be espceially hard after having to give up your chams in the move from CA and just getting back on track with them. I got weepy reading this thread. But leave it to you to find the efficiency in the little critters you found - a bug nut to the end ;-/

Please tell Bernie to check here is she needs some reassurance

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

When she finally came home, I apologized to her for my knee-jerk reaction and I explained that I said what I did before even realizing that they were dead. I told her I do not blame her.
She's offered to replace them out of her own funds, although I told her that I'm not worried about 'replacements' at the moment. She was talking this morning about getting a job, about how it would be nice to have a little extra money. I think she's just trying to make things right.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

poor girl. I am not sure who I feel worse for! I guesss both of you equally. I know she was devoted to their care even if only b/c she is devoted to you. Ggive her some extra huggs from me. Maybe I am a little biased here because one of my very best friends is a Bernie and she always pops into me head when you talk about her. Is her full name Bernadette?

Hope the eggs hatch and survive.

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

So very sorry, what a horrible thing to have happened. Geesh I'm sure it has to be a terrible feeling to have lost three such gorgeous animals in this way!

Just one of those devastating things that happens sometimes, no one meant to do it, or forget them , just happened that way, and is a terrible shame.

Just shocked, as I'm certain you guys are, don't really have anything to say that can help, other than...

FORGIVE YOURSELVES ! Don't hang onto this too long, it was just a terrible accident that they were left out!

My thoughts are with you , my heart is saddened to hear this,

Take Care,

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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

Vic,

My condolences on your loss. I know it doesnt help, but as a kid, I lost 2 pet rats the same way, though it was my fault. I cried for days about the incident.
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RafJaime@aol.com

0.1 Nosy Be's (Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.1 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY and WhatsHerFace)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
0.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
1.1 English Bulldogs (Alice and Chuckie)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
1.0 Black Great Dane Rescue (Freddy)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

I noticed one time when I put my guy out in his cage that the temperature got very high inside. Even though it was not that hot out side. I think because the cage is black it raises the temp quite a bit.
This is a huge bummer and then your girl friend gets in an accident after! You guys need some good thoughts sent your way and I will do that.
Sorry

You both must feel awful. I can't even begin to imagine how upset you must be.
Sonia