Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

I feel almost embaressed to ask this question, for I have been keeping chameleons for around 6 years now, but is a chameleon like a goldfish? What I mean is, if the chameleons cage is too small, will it no longer permit the growth of the chameleon? There was a similar post a little while back, and it got me wondering lol,

and secondly...although both of my chameleons seem healthy, and nothing wrong with them at all, should I take them to the vet for a yearly check up just in case? It seems like a great idea, in case they are experiencing any problems I am oblivious too.

Any input to either or both questions is welcome, and thanks guys!

Michele

Hi Michele
First off (jumps up on a soapbox) I don't know WHERE OR HOW this myth started, that a fish will only get as big as it's environment will allow it; that you can keep a fish small by keeping it in a smaller tank. NO! You'll end up with a stressed, uncomfortable, and possibly deformed fish. Same goes with chameleons. They need X amount of space to feel comfortable and secure. Compromising their requirements will not restrict the size of your chameleon per se. You will end up with a stressed and uncomfortable chameleon, possibly suffering from stunt growth, and a shortened, miserable existance. (jumps off soapbox)
Secondly, I would definitely reccommend annual vet visits, do some fecal exams at the very least. Even if this is unnecessary, I feel it's a good idea to establish a good relationship with your exotic vet.
Honestly, I hope I didn't come off as preachy. This post wasn't even directed at you specifically, Michelle. It's just that I hear that myth about the fish a LOT!!! You'd be surprised.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

But I've heard it applied to iguanas, mainly greens. I'm not sure if it's true or not, however, I think it's something started by pet store employees. I've heard a number of them (trying to make a sale) tell customers that if kept in a small cage, they won't grow as large. I never knew anyone that tried, but have heard it a lot. I'd imagine if actually fed and taken care of well otherwise, it'd outgrow the cage, but the small cage may cause stress which in turn could cause malnutrition (from not eating and such). Whatever

Thanks for the info guys!

It worries me...I have an 8 1/2 in. male veiled ( around 4 months of age) in a 20 by 30 by 36 in. enlosure temporarily until my addition to our house is finished, and his new cage arrives. Do you think he'll be ok, and grow properly? He will NOT be in there longer then a month, but I always love to give my chameleons ALOT of space! Thanks,

Michele

8 1/2 inches being the TOTAL length (snout to tip of tail, he may be a little bit smaller)...do you think the enclosure is adequete size to fit him comfortable for a month or so?

Yeah, for the Veiled I think you're probably fine for a month. (on soap box) Unfortunately, it is true that if you keep a green Iguana in a ten gallon tank it will be a dwarf. This is because it is slowly dying rather than growing. Most of the people that keep their Iguanas this way also don't provide adequate heat or UVB lighting either. So the Iguana doesn't have the necessary heat and UV to absorb the nutrients from what it eats. The bottom line is it can't grow much. If you go into a pet store and you see and Iguana clinging to it's hot rock (another lousy item) like it's life depends on it, then it probably does. (ok, off soap box)

I think if you have a good reptile vet that you can trust than a yearly checkup is not a bad idea. I agree with Victor, get a yearly fecal exam.

They both look so NEAT , such Contrast in colors ! They even seem calm with one another!

NICE PIC, I enjoyed it
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

I really like the color of your veiled. I mean, your panther is also gorgeous, but the light brown coloration of your veiled is so unusual. Both very pretty. And no, I don't think your veiled will suffer at all from being in that cage temporarily.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Thanks Eve, who would have known Cobalt would have been such a big softie around little Capuchi? lol. When I first "introduced" Capuchi to Cobalt, Cobalt was actually bobbing his head in a mating ritual. Capuchi was like "First off, Im a dude, and second of all...were not even the same species of chameleons" lol. Cadberry looks great, and from a couple posts below, he sounds like a real ladies man! lol

Victor, Thank you for the "speech" about dwarfism, stunted growth and goldfish! lol. I always heard when I was a child "If you put a little goldfish in a little tank, it WILL stay little"
and even then I had enough sense to know that it didnt sound very healthy for the fish! I'll make sure to take both chameleons to the vet at least once a year for their annual checkup

Michele