As a guinea pig owner, I feel you with how well these animals hide symptoms, it's so heartbreaking & frustrating! With some animals you really have to go to the vet as soon as you see even the tiniest symptoms, but that's not possible for a lot of people financially. I'm so sorry about your loss 💚
I used to keep hamsters and I’ve had the same thing happen, though with a couple it was obvious they were nearing the end as they were very old as far as hamsters go. They’re such lovely animals but I simply can’t go through losing a beloved pet every 2 years.
I’m so sorry you lost Balo. I am almost 2 years into chameleon keeping and I have to say it really can be stressful. Rest in peace sweet Balo and I hope you hold on to all the beautiful memories you had with him and keep him in your heart.
I'm so sorry you've had to go through this yet again 😔 I definitely am a fairly experienced reptile owner and I would never have a chameleon again. It's so difficult to find when there's anything wrong with them, and even if you catch it in time it's so difficult to actually figure out what's going on in time to save them. Definitely one of the hardest animals to care for.
Oh, also, if you can afford it I would go to a vet ASAP for Willy and describe to the vet exactly what happened to the other chams and have them run some tests. It's really tough to pick up on those super discreet symptoms with your eyes but blood work might provide some answers. Wishing you the best Tricia. You're one of the first reptile content creators I subbed to and you've always been one of my favorites. I hate to see you endure so much heartache.
I’m sorry for your loss :( Losing a pet is rlly hard especially if it’s a reptile that you’ve bonded with. Baloo will be missed by so many. You are not a failure as an owner, you did the best you could and it was not your fault that this happened. I love chameleons so much, but unfortunately I don’t think I could ever own one because of the heartbreak that comes with it. Hang in there Tricia. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
I might’ve mentioned this in the past, but I do know if I’m experienced that keeping chameleons is not easy. My mom got herself a panther chameleon named Gemini and I tried telling her it’s best that you have all the reptiles first before you have a chameleon just so you have a little bit more experience, but of course she didn’t listen to me so she got him we had him for a year. And he died. Could’ve been because we didn’t have the right enclosure at the time or maybe because of stress, but I do see the chameleons are a very delicate species. Which is why I would only have one when I know for a fact that I’m ready.
Maybe run online ($60) fecal tests on the remaining chameleons? Switch the chameleons to temporary screen enclosures in the meantime and monitor. 😢❤ I'm super scared to own chameleons. I had a panther male as a child and it did fairly well, but he was a nightmare to care for and it was very stressful.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. He was such a gorgeous animal. I really love your channel and how honest you are about pet-keeping, and I know how much you loved and cared for all your chameleons and gave them wonderful lives. The reason I got into reptile keeping was because I used to keep hamsters. They’re such delightful little creatures with huge personalities for their small size, but they simply don’t live long enough (2-3 years on average). After my last one died I decided I needed pets that live longer lives. I completely understand randomly losing an animal that you love too soon. Maybe you’ll develop a passion for a new animal to keep the way I eventually did. In the meantime, I hope you don’t blame yourself too much, it’s obvious from your videos how good you care for your animals. I hope Willy will be with you for years and years to come. 💙🩵💙🩵
I’m so sorry for your loss! I’ve been following your Instagram ever since you had Banba! Do you think that Balo passed possibly because of just old age? Like those discreet symptoms are due to old age and maybe nothing that you’re doing? I can see how passionate and knowledgeable you are on chameleons, and because of you that’s why I have one! You’re an amazing reptile keeper, hang in there 🤍
Thank you so much! I wish I had more information on what could have happened with Baloo but I am not sure. I really feel like an illness got passed along to the chams I was keeping and I’m hoping Willy stays healthy
I’ve got several (panther) chameleons myself. I got my first one after I heard about Fram’s Chams through you! I’ve purchased many chams from them at this point - several for me, several for a long time friend that loves reptiles but isn’t tech savvy and has never purchased an animal online herself (I got to middle man for her). I adore Fram’s and think they’re top notch - absolutely not saying anything about them. I have learned over the years that many chameleons carry some level of parasites. They’re usually in small numbers and don’t pose an issue until the animal is stressed, be it physically or otherwise. And you know better than anyone how easy it is for these guys to come under stress, even when you’re doing everything right. At this point I wonder if slight dehydration stressed any of your chams’ bodies enough to allow parasites in very low numbers to reproduce and get out of hand. I especially wonder that In the case of Flounder. It would make so much sense if the material of the cage background was contaminated since you definitely can’t disinfect it. The shared feeder cup could also have done it, like you mentioned. And even if it wasn’t that, exactly like you said. It can be so difficult just to keep chameleons adequately hydrated. It seems to me that a lot of chameleons in captivity end up dying after several years from kidney and/or dehydration issues anyway. Not especially helpful and doesn’t bring Baloo, Jurassic or any of your other boys back :( but there is definitely an explanation for it. You’ve done your very best with them all. My oldest cham turned 3 in March and I’ve experienced the same slight sunken eye issue you mentioned. I do the same - up hydration - but I expect anything could happen. I’m kind of girding myself for it at this point. I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️
I’ve never kept chameleons myself, but I’ve often wondered if they will go the way of iguanas, where most people realize they’re just incompatible with living in captivity.
I hope your chameleon will be okay. It may not hurt to take him to the vet since you are noticing some sunken eyes here or there. Hopefully, they can catch whatever it is early.
So sorry to hear that, i would love to have some but the costs and short lifespan i have not givin it more thought but they are amazing. Im just getting back into it but what i want right now wont happen so i got a lewisi hybrid, on sale but he had a kink in tail now the kink hit something hard or just is what it is and his tail end is gonna fall off like 1 inch or a bit more.
For a reptile that takes 9+months before hatching. They live pretty short 5-8yrs , that's more than enough time, I currently own a panther chameleon myself
@@reptiliangarden I am so very sorry for your loss. Crickets are one of the worst feeders (IMO), they are hard to digest, can hurt your reptile and have a very tiny % of protein compared to other live feeders, like dubia or discus roaches.
Call me crazy , but what is the most common bug they are fed? How many species of crickets live in the trees ?(one). Crickets are hard shelled and chameleons are very fragile/sensitive. The digestive tract over time may not fair well. The limbs are harder than limbs of other insects. Worth a try I would say. After all, I wonder if anyone has tried that. Also, I hear so many people on videos with such a heart felt concern that something is wrong and everybody seems to share in this concern. I think everybody feeds them crickets.
Take some time off getting more focus on what you have, then regroup and think, i know males can live 8 years but im not sure its common, most say 5 or 6 average and thats not long. Ive had 2 Chesapeake bay retrievers which are 12,13 years but both mine got cancer and passed at 10, and both were females and prolapsed early had to fix them but wasnt gonna breed. I would 100 percent get more best dogs ive had.😊
Yeah, I think their humidity + ventilation requirements, plus their delicate health, and maybe even something we don’t realize about them yet, make chameleons incompatible with captivity.
As a guinea pig owner, I feel you with how well these animals hide symptoms, it's so heartbreaking & frustrating! With some animals you really have to go to the vet as soon as you see even the tiniest symptoms, but that's not possible for a lot of people financially. I'm so sorry about your loss 💚
I used to keep hamsters and I’ve had the same thing happen, though with a couple it was obvious they were nearing the end as they were very old as far as hamsters go. They’re such lovely animals but I simply can’t go through losing a beloved pet every 2 years.
I’m so sorry you lost Balo. I am almost 2 years into chameleon keeping and I have to say it really can be stressful. Rest in peace sweet Balo and I hope you hold on to all the beautiful memories you had with him and keep him in your heart.
I'm so sorry you've had to go through this yet again 😔 I definitely am a fairly experienced reptile owner and I would never have a chameleon again. It's so difficult to find when there's anything wrong with them, and even if you catch it in time it's so difficult to actually figure out what's going on in time to save them. Definitely one of the hardest animals to care for.
Oh, also, if you can afford it I would go to a vet ASAP for Willy and describe to the vet exactly what happened to the other chams and have them run some tests. It's really tough to pick up on those super discreet symptoms with your eyes but blood work might provide some answers. Wishing you the best Tricia. You're one of the first reptile content creators I subbed to and you've always been one of my favorites. I hate to see you endure so much heartache.
So sorry for your loss 😢
They really are so delicate......
I’m sorry for your loss :( Losing a pet is rlly hard especially if it’s a reptile that you’ve bonded with. Baloo will be missed by so many. You are not a failure as an owner, you did the best you could and it was not your fault that this happened. I love chameleons so much, but unfortunately I don’t think I could ever own one because of the heartbreak that comes with it. Hang in there Tricia. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
I think Chameleons are beautiful reptiles. I used to work at a pet store, and I remember always saying hi to them and taking care of their cage
sorry for your loss. They are so personable, and it's tough to lose and animal like this.
I might’ve mentioned this in the past, but I do know if I’m experienced that keeping chameleons is not easy. My mom got herself a panther chameleon named Gemini and I tried telling her it’s best that you have all the reptiles first before you have a chameleon just so you have a little bit more experience, but of course she didn’t listen to me so she got him we had him for a year. And he died. Could’ve been because we didn’t have the right enclosure at the time or maybe because of stress, but I do see the chameleons are a very delicate species. Which is why I would only have one when I know for a fact that I’m ready.
Maybe run online ($60) fecal tests on the remaining chameleons? Switch the chameleons to temporary screen enclosures in the meantime and monitor. 😢❤
I'm super scared to own chameleons. I had a panther male as a child and it did fairly well, but he was a nightmare to care for and it was very stressful.
I’m so sorry to hear about balo
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. He was such a gorgeous animal. I really love your channel and how honest you are about pet-keeping, and I know how much you loved and cared for all your chameleons and gave them wonderful lives. The reason I got into reptile keeping was because I used to keep hamsters. They’re such delightful little creatures with huge personalities for their small size, but they simply don’t live long enough (2-3 years on average). After my last one died I decided I needed pets that live longer lives. I completely understand randomly losing an animal that you love too soon. Maybe you’ll develop a passion for a new animal to keep the way I eventually did. In the meantime, I hope you don’t blame yourself too much, it’s obvious from your videos how good you care for your animals. I hope Willy will be with you for years and years to come. 💙🩵💙🩵
I’m so sorry for your loss! I’ve been following your Instagram ever since you had Banba! Do you think that Balo passed possibly because of just old age? Like those discreet symptoms are due to old age and maybe nothing that you’re doing? I can see how passionate and knowledgeable you are on chameleons, and because of you that’s why I have one! You’re an amazing reptile keeper, hang in there 🤍
Thank you so much! I wish I had more information on what could have happened with Baloo but I am not sure. I really feel like an illness got passed along to the chams I was keeping and I’m hoping Willy stays healthy
Sorry about that, I had a jacksons chameleon , It didn't live long. I just hatched 10 perfect chinese water dragon's.
Warm thoughts to you Trisha. Must have been so hard to talk about, but you're doing something good with something so painful 💚
Chameleon’s are notoriously hard to keep alive.
Im so sorry for your loss.
I’ve got several (panther) chameleons myself. I got my first one after I heard about Fram’s Chams through you! I’ve purchased many chams from them at this point - several for me, several for a long time friend that loves reptiles but isn’t tech savvy and has never purchased an animal online herself (I got to middle man for her). I adore Fram’s and think they’re top notch - absolutely not saying anything about them. I have learned over the years that many chameleons carry some level of parasites. They’re usually in small numbers and don’t pose an issue until the animal is stressed, be it physically or otherwise. And you know better than anyone how easy it is for these guys to come under stress, even when you’re doing everything right.
At this point I wonder if slight dehydration stressed any of your chams’ bodies enough to allow parasites in very low numbers to reproduce and get out of hand. I especially wonder that In the case of Flounder. It would make so much sense if the material of the cage background was contaminated since you definitely can’t disinfect it. The shared feeder cup could also have done it, like you mentioned. And even if it wasn’t that, exactly like you said. It can be so difficult just to keep chameleons adequately hydrated. It seems to me that a lot of chameleons in captivity end up dying after several years from kidney and/or dehydration issues anyway. Not especially helpful and doesn’t bring Baloo, Jurassic or any of your other boys back :( but there is definitely an explanation for it. You’ve done your very best with them all.
My oldest cham turned 3 in March and I’ve experienced the same slight sunken eye issue you mentioned. I do the same - up hydration - but I expect anything could happen. I’m kind of girding myself for it at this point. I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️
I’ve never kept chameleons myself, but I’ve often wondered if they will go the way of iguanas, where most people realize they’re just incompatible with living in captivity.
I hope your chameleon will be okay. It may not hurt to take him to the vet since you are noticing some sunken eyes here or there. Hopefully, they can catch whatever it is early.
So sorry to hear that, i would love to have some but the costs and short lifespan i have not givin it more thought but they are amazing. Im just getting back into it but what i want right now wont happen so i got a lewisi hybrid, on sale but he had a kink in tail now the kink hit something hard or just is what it is and his tail end is gonna fall off like 1 inch or a bit more.
I am so sorry to hear that! I hope he will be okay!
For a reptile that takes 9+months before hatching. They live pretty short 5-8yrs , that's more than enough time, I currently own a panther chameleon myself
I am so sorry for your loss😰
2 in a short time span? Thats horrible. I had one when I was younger and he passed when I was away. So weird how they can get sick and die so quickly.
It is the absolute worst. I’m sorry for your loss too
I’ve been researching carpet chameleons and I’d love to have some but it’s certainly something I won’t jump into without being 100% sure
Check with Chameleon Academy for more info on carpets (and any species)
Is Willy Okay Though 😢😭 Im so sorry for your lose!
He is! I hope he has a long and happy life with Tricia 🩵
I hope that this may reach the Chameleon keepers.... Don't feed them any Crickets! ! ! !
Why do you recommend never feeding crickets?
@@reptiliangarden I am so very sorry for your loss.
Crickets are one of the worst feeders (IMO), they are hard to digest, can hurt your reptile and have a very tiny % of protein compared to other live feeders, like dubia or discus roaches.
Call me crazy , but what is the most common bug they are fed? How many species of crickets live in the trees ?(one). Crickets are hard shelled and chameleons are very fragile/sensitive. The digestive tract over time may not fair well. The limbs are harder than limbs of other insects. Worth a try I would say. After all, I wonder if anyone has tried that. Also, I hear so many people on videos with such a heart felt concern that something is wrong and everybody seems to share in this concern. I think everybody feeds them crickets.
Plus .... My intuition tells me so....
Ive heard they can carry parasites, so I dont feed that many to my reptiles.
Take some time off getting more focus on what you have, then regroup and think, i know males can live 8 years but im not sure its common, most say 5 or 6 average and thats not long. Ive had 2 Chesapeake bay retrievers which are 12,13 years but both mine got cancer and passed at 10, and both were females and prolapsed early had to fix them but wasnt gonna breed. I would 100 percent get more best dogs ive had.😊
sorry to hear this.😢.I truly believe they should be just left in the wild.they are delicate n high maintence .but sorry Tricia
Yeah, I think their humidity + ventilation requirements, plus their delicate health, and maybe even something we don’t realize about them yet, make chameleons incompatible with captivity.
I’m sorry for your loss this is why when you have an instinct that something is wrong go to the vet ASAP. Sending love ❤️