Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[mcfluffin]

Hi all...

Will be getting a pair of carpet chams from Rick soon. I know Rick and other people allow chams to roam free range with no problems. I was wondering if it will be worth having a nice tree for my carpets to climb in my front room so that I can let them out to exercise and generally have some new surroundings once in a while? I know handling chams can be stressful, but I thought they might benefit from this kind of thing for short periods (say a few hours once a week). Does anyone do this with their chams at all?

Out of interest, how often do people handle their chameleons, because there are different things said in different books and resources. Obviously some species are more docile, but to what extent?

My other question to add on, is 'is it easy to tell if a cham is stressed in the absence of gaping aggressive behaviour....i.e. would you know if handling or free roaming an animal was stressing them by a particular set of colours or chromatophores showing?' It's a fascinating thing that hormones can influence the appearance of these animals, and could be quite useful in 'keeping them happy' it seems.

Sorry for rambling.....

[lol93]

Haven't kept carpets, so I don't know what they would be like-maybe check with Rick or Karen. My yemen comes out occasionally and sits in his tree in the living room while I'm cleaning him out, but he doesn't free roam as such.

I also take him outside when the weather is warm in his tree, but I have to supervise him. Once I left him for two minutes to get something inside, and when I came back he was legging it accross the grass towards next door's hedge. The wee buggers can shift when they want to!
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[kroakykaren]

I think carpets would be very happy to be out and about, they are very in your face chams and love to climb out as soon as you go in the viv, as with anything just supervise them, but most of all enjoy them they are great wee things
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[mcfluffin]

OK...how often should I let the lil chaps out then? Thought I'd buy a good sized ficus to sit them on in the morning/evening when we're watching telly or something. That way I can watch they don't run and hide somewhere irretrievable.?

[H.S.]

Not having heard of a Carpet Cham (I am more a snake person), I looked them up. My wife saw a picture of one and now I think I may have to do a bit of research, as she was instantly taken by them.
So that'll be me googling caresheets today then.
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31August2008-Kent Reptile Show (Amphibians & Inverts welcome) for more information & Booking e:mail: mrac@sky.com

[mcfluffin]

I'm dead excited. Our own Rickeezee has many from his breeding pairs for sale. Here's a good bit of info I found useful

http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/flateralis.html

[lol93]

[Rickeezee]

Free roaming is good for chams if possible to achieve it. In a supervised and safe environment of course. If they are to be out for prolonged periods it is worth getting a spot lamp on a stand placed near where they will be on a tall indoor plant for example so they can have a basking area. Not a lamp they can climb on obviously.

Even better, let them bask outdoors in a safe area under supervision, with a shaded area also so thye can retreat to the shade if required. Natural sunlight is the best thing going for your chams, on a hot day of course .

As to frequency, see how it goes and let the cham dictate the pace.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

[mcfluffin]

Cool. Thanks guys. It won't be for very long periods Rick, just for a few hours. I plan to move the viv outside once in a while for some natural sunlight though, like you say. Really looking forward to getting things sorted next week...should take my mind of my finals!!! aaaarg!!