Chameleon Breeder Podcast With Bill Strand

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!

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 this episode release, in Kenya studying Jackson’s Chameleons in the wild.

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.

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 Central USA. Nathalie is one of our most active moderators and can be found on a number of different groups including Elise’s and Dru’s listed above. All three are supported by a large group of admins and moderators that are here to help you. And I feel it is time to revisit chameleons on Facebook. I invite you to listen in on our roundtable discussion.

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.

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 to the podcast. You will still get the podcast which can keep you company into work or during the cage cleaning days, but you will also be able to come home, and see a companion video which gives a visual to the topic. I am estimating that the new season will launch in January. I have been having a great time recording interviews and video for this new season and look forward to sharing them with you. We are going to be taking a close look at handling your chameleons, the ecology of the veiled chameleon, and 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.

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!

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!

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 to lay eggs and hatch. Getting a species to hatch that has books written about it and Facebook pages dedicated to it is certainly an achievement, but when a species is first imported and we have to figure out how the females think. Or what combination of temperature, moisture, and diapause to incubate at we rely on pioneers like Carl who spend their time at the edges of what we as a community know. And that is one reason why this is a discussion rather than a tutorial. We are talking about a subject where the body of kn

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.

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.

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!

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.

This week we dive into parasites that infect chameleons and our tour leader is Sean McCormack. 

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!

Mark Scherz is back to give us some insight into what it is like being a scientist in the wilds of Madagascar!

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!

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.

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.