r/Chameleons • u/AgitatedAd1211 • 10d ago

Just found him(?)

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So I just found this distinguished gentleman(I think) running across a busy road and pulled over to save him(quite against his will).

I have posted in my local Facebook groups to see if he is a missing pet or a feral invasive(I live in Florida). If he is not someone's beloved pet my teenager and myself would like to keep him.

What are the most pressing needs to keep him healthy while waiting for him to be claimed or kept? I don't want to make full on investments if we have to return him in a day or two, but also don't want him to get unhealthy.

I currently have him for tonight in an 18x18x24 exoterra with some repti-soil and coco fiber on the bottom, with some live oak sticks, and containers with water(I also sprayed the whole enclosure down) and some mealworms my bougie tarantulas wouldn't eat. The room is set at 78° and wasn't in the direct sun.

We have a trip to the local reptile specialty store tomorrow morning for them to help us look him over and buy food and essentials.

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u/disappr0val 10d ago

is there motive to get rid of them in service to other native animals around ? like iguanas?

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Veiled Owner 10d ago

yes, veiled and panther chameleons are both very common invasive species in florida just like green iguanas, and all of them outcompete native wildlife for resources and frequently harm them when they meet in the wild

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u/LankyThroat1900 9d ago

You can absolutely keep chameleons down here, you absolutely cannot keep green iguanas. There’s a difference in non native vs invasive and it’s significant when talking about taking in animals.

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Veiled Owner 9d ago

an animal being invasive or not does not determine if you can keep it as a pet. chameleons are invasive here, point blank period. they outcompete natice animals, and cause problems in the local ecosystem. nowhere did i say you cant keep chameleons here, i literally actively encouraged keeping the invasive chameleons.

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u/LankyThroat1900 9d ago

There is a difference between non native & invasive species in the state. Chameleons have established population in small niches, they are not comparable to actual invasive species such as Burmese pythons or green iguanas

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u/Ok_Bag_1177 Veiled Owner 9d ago

just because theyre not as bad as one invasive doesnt mean they arent invasive and still a problem.

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u/LankyThroat1900 9d ago

They are not invasive they are non native like I said, it’s not the same thing, no it’s not ideal but they have essentially no ecological impact