91: Veiled Chameleon Lighting
Chameleons are energized from the sun. To keep them in captivity we must replicate the sun’s light, warmth, and UVB. Today we talk about what Veiled chameleons need from their light source.
Episodes
Chameleon Academy Podcast
Hosted by long time chameleon keeper and breeder, Bill Strand, the Chameleon Academy Podcast tackles subjects from basic to advanced and brings in insight from experts in the field. There is something for everyone from beginning keepers to experienced breeders. Subscribe for a weekly dose of chameleon talk!
Episodes
90: Veiled Chameleon Husbandry - Environment & Caging
The Veiled Chameleon is one of the most popular chameleons to keep as a pet. Their hardiness makes them an ideal first chameleon. But they are still a chameleon - and that means some special attention needs to be put to their set-up. Today I go over the basics of Veiled Chameleon husbandry to get you started in the right direction.
89: Naturalistic Hydration for Chameleons
It is time to revisit our understanding of hydration in chameleons. We are well aware of hydration during the day, but that is only half of the story. Today we are going to talk about hydration over the entire 24 hours in the day to form a holistic approach to a captive hydration strategy.
88: Veiled Chameleons in Florida
The veiled chameleon is one of our most hardy and adaptable chameleons. With its wide-spread representation in the hobby It is no surprise that this lizard has had an opportunity to escape into many different environments. Florida, it seems, suited it well and we now have a viable chameleon population on the continental United States.
Ep 87: History of the Veiled Chameleon in Captivity
Veiled chameleons seem to be everywhere you would expect to find a pet chameleon and some places you wouldn’t. but it wasn’t always this way. Today I explore the origins of the veiled chameleon in captivity. Join me as I speak to the people who brought this chameleon to us!
Ep 86: Veiled Chameleon Taxonomy and Ecology
Chamaeleo calyptratus , the veiled chameleon - this gorgeous and hardy chameleon is many people’s introduction to the fascinating world of chameleons. In this podcast series we explore their history, ecology, and husbandry. Today we learn about the taxonomy and where they are from.
Ep 85: Taming Your Chameleon
Today we are talking about taming your chameleon!
Ep 84: Carpet Chameleon Roundtable
Today we are talking about Furcifer lateralis , the carpet chameleon, and its status in captivity. I’d like to give a big welcome to Kevin Stanford, Frank Payne, and Tim Marks for making up our chameleon round table discussion!
Ep 83: Kenyan Xantholophus Jackson's Chameleons
In the United States, the Large Xantholophus Jackson’s Chameleons we see are almost all from a feral population on Hawaii. But this magnificent chameleon originated in Kenya, Africa. The newly started Kenyan Xanth Project is spearheading the effort to bring back the founder genetics. In this episode we learn about the natural environment of Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus, the yellow-crested Jackson’s Chameleon, from world renown chameleon expert and author, Petr Necas who is, at the moment of ...
Ep 82: Holding Angry Chameleons
Today we are going to talk about a special handling case and that is when the chameleon is scared – or angry- enough to bite you. The only time you should ever handle a chameleon who is scared enough to want to bite you is if it is required for medicating them for their health. There may come a time when you will have to deal with a chameleon who has gone way beyond annoyance with your antics. Should that time come, you’ll need to know how to handle this fiery tree dragon.
Ep 81: Chameleon Facebook Roundtable
Today we have a roundtable discussion on Facebook and its effect on our community. I have asked Elise Stein, Dru Reeves and Nathalie Norris to join me and share their views. Elise built up our largest group The Reptile Enthusiasts. Although it is a general reptile group we chameleon people have pretty much claimed her as a citizen of our community. She also has an offshoot called The Chameleon Enthusiasts. Dru is the head admin for the community’s largest chameleon specific group, Chameleon Cent...
Ep 80: Handling Your Chameleon
Chameleons are tricky things to hold in that we don’t actually hold, them, but allow them to sit on our hand. Today we talk about handling your chameleon.
Season 3 Introduction
Good morning Chameleon Wranglers! It is time for an update as to what is going on with the podcast! Good morning Chameleon Wranglers! It is time for an update as to what is going on with the podcast! This isn’t an episode per se. It is just a short update to let you know I am working hard on season three! I haven’t just migrated to Madagascar for the winter! We have this break because I am substantially increasing what this podcast will offer. In season three I will have video companion episodes...
Ep 79: Mourning Your Chameleon
Today we talk about dealing with the loss of our chameleon. Chameleons have so much personality and character that they easily become considered part of the family. And when the time comes for them to pass we can get confused as to how we should feel. Today I share my thoughts on losing a beloved chameleon.
Ep 78: Chameleon Fecal Exams with Alec O'Brien
Good morning chameleon wranglers, Today we are going to talk about how to do your own fecal exam for your chameleon. Of course, there is much more to it than I can go over here, but it really isn’t that hard and we will give you a very good start. I have brought back Alec O’Brien who is a vet tech and chameleon breeder!
Ep 77: Incubating Chameleon Eggs with Carl Cattau
Today Carl Cattau and I discuss incubation of chameleon eggs. Incubation can be intimidating and I know I gravitated towards live bearers for the longest time. But hatching eggs really isn’t that bad once you understand how to pull it off. Listen in and try it yourself!
Ep 76: Chameleon Egg Laying Sites with Carl Cattau
Welcome, chameleon wranglers, to a two part series on egg laying and incubation. For these topics I have brought back Carl Cattau for a an interview type discussion. When it comes to a female chameleon successfully laying eggs your job is to provide a sufficient site that meets with your chameleon’s approval. Unfortunately, Their only way of communicating to us is either to lay eggs… or not. I have chosen Carl to join me in this discussion because he is on the forefront of getting rare species t...
Ep 75: Cleaning Your Chameleon Cage with Dr. Rob Coke DVM
Today we are going to dive into cleaning products. We chameleon keepers are acutely aware of the value of cleanliness. We maintain a constant vigilance against parasites, bacteria, and fungal bizarreness. It is time we explore the cleaning agents available to us. I am bringing back Dr. Rob Coke who is the head of veterinary medicine at the San Antonio Zoo.
Ep 74: Working a Chameleon Rescue with Cheryl Garcia
Today we are talking about chameleons that have fallen on bad times. Whether it is advanced MBD or a loving owner finding their life conditions have changed. Sometimes chameleons need a second chance at life. And for that I have brought on Cheryl Garcia, the lady in charge of the chameleon and reptile side of Another Chance Sanctuary.
Ep 73: Bio-Active Environments, Pt 2 with John Courteney-Smith, MRSB
Bio-active environments have captured many people's imaginations. It is the most true approach to creating a "slice of nature" in our living rooms. But more than just a pretty scene, bio-active environments can be more healthy for your chameleon or other reptiles. Join John Courteney-Smith and I in exploring bio-active environments!
Ep 72: Bio-Active Environments, Pt 1 with John Courteney-Smith, MRSB
Bio-active environments have captured many people's imaginations. It is the most true approach to creating a "slice of nature" in our living rooms. But more than just a pretty scene, bio-active environments can be more healthy for your chameleon or other reptiles. Join John Courteney-Smith and I in exploring bio-active environments! This podcast interview is the first of two episodes which reviews John's book "The Arcadia Guide to Bio-Activity and the Theory of Wild Re-Creation.
Ep 71: Chameleon Parasites with Sean McCormack MVB
This week we dive into parasites that infect chameleons and our tour leader is Sean McCormack.
Ep 70: Chameleons in the Classroom with Jason Mintzer
Can chameleons be successfully kept in the classroom environment? Bill talks to Jason Mintzer of Valley Vista High School in Southern California who uses his love for chameleons to help his teaching. Join us as we talk about how he was able to pull it off!
Ep 69: Field Science with Mark Scherz
Mark Scherz is back to give us some insight into what it is like being a scientist in the wilds of Madagascar!
Ep 68: Carnivorous Plants with Peter D' Amato
Venus Fly Traps aren't the only carnivorous plants! There is a whole world of plants to get their nutrients from insects! Join me and Peter D'Amato from California Carnivores as we explore these fascinating plants! This is truly walking on the Outer Fringes!
Ep 67: Housing Baby Chameleons
An episode reviewing strategies and thoughts on housing baby chameleons. I will discuss breeders having hundreds of eggs and the keeper with one select 3 month old chameleon.
Ep 66: Eye Health in Chameleons with Dr. Rob Coke
Chameleon's eyes are nothing short of fantastic! But they also have a maintenance plan that needs to be followed for optimal health. In today's episode, Dr. Rob Coke DVM and I discuss ocular health in chameleons.
Ep 65: Gutloading Chameleon Feeders with John Courteney-Smith
Today we are going to be talking about gutloading the feeders for your chameleon. This conversation is loosely based on the end chapters of his book “The Arcadia Guide to Reptile & Amphibian Nutrition”.
Ep 64: Chameleon Tours in Madagascar with Thorsten Negro
Today we hear from a Thorsten Negro who puts together tours of Madagascar specifically for Chameleon enthusiasts! Not only do you enjoy the sights and take incredible pictures, but you experience the natural environment that our chameleons come from!
Ep 63: Bacterial Infections in Chameleons with Dr. Rob Coke DVM
Bacteria are all around us and our chameleons. Some bacteria helps us in a symbiotic relationship and some bacteria can kill us if it takes hold. Chameleons have the same life challenge so obviously, it is important we understand bacteria and how to treat infections. But what exactly is bacteria? Isn’t it all around us? When does bacteria turn dangerous? We are going to answer these questions and more today as we dive in to understanding the relationship of bacteria and our chameleons.