Why chameleons are not good pets

Chameleons are simply not good pets. Although many people have reptiles as pets; snakes, iguanas, and geckos, chameleons are out of the question. However, a disturbing practice is still continuing in the Rustenburg area near Sun City in the North West.

ALSO READ: Kruger Park: Hyenas and lion feast on giraffe – PHOTOS

OCCUPANTS OF CARS ARE OFTEN APPROACHED WITH A CHAMELEON ON THE ARM OF A POACHER

The sale of wild chameleons, and even tortoises, to the public has been a scourge in the area for a number of years despite the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ knowledge, according to a conservationist.

Michael Adams has been monitoring the situation for a number of years. He says that residents in the area are selling flat-necked chameleons for as little as R100 each. Some people charge R500 for one of these reptiles.

Adams mentions that on that particular road, there are a lot of stop signs and traffic lights -thus, there are multiple intersections where people can sell these reptiles to people driving through.

THEIR TACTIC IS TO ASK IF THEY WANT TO HOLD IT BEFORE THEY OFFER TO SELL

Adams adds: “There is sometimes a sob story that comes with it that they found it injured or they saved it from getting run over by cars. This is obviously not true, as these animals have simply been poached from the wild (usually from the surrounding areas, especially the nearby nature reserves).”

Often people believe the stories they are told and buy the chameleon, thinking they are rescuing it. Others simply buy them because they believe it would make a ‘cool’ and interesting pet. In both these cases, the chameleons will, in all likelihood, die within a few days or, best case, in a month or so.

“Chameleons are notoriously tricky to keep in captivity and require specialised care such as UVB lights, regular misting, calcium supplements, and a variety of insect food. Most people are not able to provide this for these animals,”

says Adams.

ALSO READ: Crocodile tears for cuddles: Meet man who sleeps with predator pet

IN SOME CASES PEOPLE GET BORED OF THE NEW ‘PET’ CHAMELEON

These people then release it into the closest bush, hoping it will survive in a new, unfamiliar environment (which it most likely won’t).

ALSO READ: Kruger Park: Another morning, another lion roadblock – LOOK

“There is one other type of person that buys these animals who have extremely good intentions, “Adams adds.

“These people often pay the money for the chameleon because they know the animal is extremely stressed out, most likely dehydrated after being paraded in the sun all day to passing motorists and/or emaciated due to lack of food. These people purchase the animals and then drive further down the road where they release them back into the wild.”

says Adams.

POACHERS HAVE CLEVER WAYS TO FIND CHAMELEONS

Although this is an incredibly noble and kind act – by doing this, they are simply and unintentionally increasing the demand for the chameleons again. What’s more is that the poachers have clever ways to find chameleons, and the ’rescued’ chameleon will most likely be re-captured again, only to be re-sold again.

This has become big business in the area, and the poachers are sometimes armed and dangerous. They also communicate with one another and quickly inform each other if law enforcement officials are around.

POACHERS ARE SOMETIMES ARMED AND DANGEROUS

Adams further says that a few weeks ago, he heard of people seeing chameleons and tortoises being sold along the roadside in KwaZulu-Natal. The chameleons that are being illegally caught and resold are dwarf chameleons – there are a number of these reptiles that are an endangered species in the KwaZulu-Natal area.

THE POACHING, KEEPING, OR BUYING OF INDIGENOUS REPTILES WITHOUT A PERMIT IS ILLEGAL

If found guilty, it could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.

This article was originally published by Angeline Schwan.