Nursing a sick chameleon

Each summer in the Eastern Highlands, just after the rains there is a chorus of calls by the frogs and then the silent rise of the chameleons! Last year we were lucky to witness a few young chameleons clinging to long grass stalks, as well as the usual sighting of adult flap-necked species.

This year, I was surprised to find one on the ground on the soil near the aloes and succelents, which is unusual unless they are crossing the road! I have learnt now that they will go to ground obviously to travel from one area to another and to lay eggs but more often than not they are clinging to a branch of some tree. We did see another one today however also moving on the ground the middle of the day which my husband gave a helping hand too even though it put on it's more threatening colours!

This particular one, from a few days ago, looked a bit sluggish and as it was on the ground I was able to pick it up. This one was near a little bit of dug soil and I began to wonder if it might be a female wanting to lay it's eggs. I unfortunately didn't know this till I had looked it up. I started to worry it was now properly injured as it wasn't able to move far. I returned it to the same spot and went back to check on it over the course of that day, then the next few days as well After seeing in in the same place for 3 days just shifting between shade and sun, I brought it in before the worst of the cyclone hit us. Which I'm glad I did now!

I read that captive chameleons can suffer from things like dehydration or fragile bones due to calcium deficency, and for them to drink water it's best to either mimic either dew or rain. So as it's been raining a lot i put it in a pot plant that I would let it rain on for a short while, then bring it in the pot back inside. After a couple of days of lots of sleeping by the chameleon and kept near a North facing window for some UV, my husband attempted to feed it. Yesterday it got a small cricket and today it was spoilt with grasshopper which it didn't favour as much as the softer flies. One grasshopper it spat out but the other and the fly was swallowed well. It's also starting to accept us and even with some strength back it doesn't seem stressed by us thankfully!

Another thing I'm beginning to learn is it changes colour based on temp regulation. Obviously they also change to hide or to appear threatening like the other one we saw today which puffed it's neck up and it was stripey with brilliant orange! However this temperature regulation colour change Ive now seen with another chameleon today as well. When my husband first spotted it, it was almost black and wasn't trying to camouflage at all, as it tried to soak up the most warmth we have had in days with the cold wet weather brought on by cyclone Idai. This one was right on top of a small litchi tree with very light coloured leaves. Same with this sick chameleon, I can tell when it gets cold now as it gets quite dark in colour and then when it's warm will go a light green or green to match its leaves.

I'm happy to say it's also started moving a bit more although it does not have a good grip or balance yet and can't go far. I hope to give it more outdoor time tomorrow if it's not too wet and cold. I'm also wishing it becomes well enough to take off and if only I knew what happens to then over the winter months!

Crossing my fingers and toes it has a full recovery and is as well as the together two chameleons we were lucky to see today.

Publicado el marzo 18, 2019 06:53 TARDE por wildlife_junkie