Survey on reptile husbandry

Survey on reptile husbandry

by Alex Negro General topics

It is not only in Germany and the EU that the keeping of reptiles has been criticised and questioned for several years; in the UK, too, efforts to ban the keeping of reptiles by animal rights activists are nothing new. The Federation of British Herpetologists, together with Responsible Reptile Keeping, has now created a survey to collect data on the husbandry of reptiles worldwide. Voices from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are also needed, as well as anyone else! Please take part in the survey in large numbers – it is super quick, anonymous and can be completed in German, English and other languages. Everyone who completes the survey will receive a free subscription to ‘The Keeper’ magazine. In addition, three cash prizes will be raffled off among the participants.

Link to the survey – let’s go!

Panther chameleon disposed of at recycling centre

Panther chameleon disposed of at recycling centre

by Alex Negro Abzugeben General topics

A panther chameleon in Bavaria owes its life to a lucky coincidence. An irresponsible owner abandoned the animal in a cold polystyrene box at the Eichenau recycling centre. An attentive passer-by, who was taking cardboxes to the recycling centre himself, heard scratching noises and opened the lonesome box. The reptile rescue centre in Munich was informed immediately, which took in the hypothermic chameleon and is now looking after it. The animal had obviously not received any medical care recently.

It is to be hoped that the original owner can be identified and faces an appropriate penalty. In some cases, the abandonment of animals even constitutes a criminal offence – in this case, the reptile was likely to die. ‘Lucifer’, as the panther chameleon was named, was simply lucky – and will soon be hoping for a great new home with a greater sense of responsibility. Anyone interested can contact the rescue centre.

Addendum 03.03.2025: The case actually played out a little differently. The alleged finder of the abandoned panther chameleon has since turned out to be the original owner of the animal. A report has been filed.

Photos: The animal found, photographed by and at the reptile rescue centre, Munich

International Chameleon Day

International Chameleon Day

by Alex Negro General topics

Finally, the world’s most colourful reptiles have their own day! Wildlife Madagascar has proclaimed 09 May as INTERNATIONAL CHAMÄLEON DAY. And the AG Chamäleons is of course taking part. From 00:00 on 9 May 2024, we will be posting facts, exciting information, links and games about chameleons every hour. For 24 hours! We are looking forward to it!

#show your colours #internationalchameleonday #chameleonday #chameleondayMay9

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

by Alex Negro AG Interna General topics

We can look back on an eventful 2023. We had a great conference, lots of news about the world of chameleons and, most recently, we were able to successfully place a number of animals. Let’s hope that 2024 will be even more active. The entire board of the AG Chameleons wishes you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! We are particularly looking forward to next year’s conference, which will be held in Fulda for the first time in over 20 years. The programme is currently being prepared and will be published shortly – then you will also receive more information on registration and room bookings. It will be a very interesting and varied programme – stay tuned!

Bild: pikisuperstar und catalyststuff / Freepik

Panther chameleons looking for new homes

Panther chameleons looking for new homes

by Alex Negro Abzugeben General topics

A long-standing member of the AG Chameleons is looking for new owners for ten panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) at short notice. There are ten females, including animals between 10 months and three years old. Four females belong to the local form Ambilobe, five to the local form Sambava. The animals are available individually or in groups free of charge. If you are interested, please write to us at info@agchamaeleons.de for further information.

Trioceros jacksoniis looking for a new home

Trioceros jacksoniis looking for a new home

by Alex Negro Abzugeben AG Interna General topics

A keeper has contacted us as AG Chamäleons because he is looking for new keepers for his three Trioceros jacksonii jacksonii. Two males and one female (2.1) are for sale. One of the males was bought in 2020 already adult. Together with a female that unfortunately died, it then had offspring, of which two still remain with the owner. The two offspring are a male and a female born in November 2020. All three chameleons eat very well and are not used to daily handling. If you are interested in adopting the animals, please send an email to info@agchamaeleons.de.

Addendum 27.09.2023: All three animals have found a new owner.

 

 

Open letter to the EU Commission regarding the lamp ban

Open letter to the EU Commission regarding the lamp ban

by Alex Negro General topics

The European Union plans to ban mercury-containing lamps and light bulbs without exception from 2027. In terrarium keeping, this will affect almost all lamps that are also used in chameleon keeping, such as fluorescent tubes and metal halide lamps. Some are already banned. These lamps are indispensable, even vital, for keeping chameleons. So far, EU legislation under EU 1194/2012 had always made an exception for “special purposes” such as animal husbandry. This time, however, no exception is provided! Such a ban would make countless animal husbandries impossible, for private keepers as well as in zoos and species conservation projects. Therefore, a number of associations, including the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarial Science, of which AG Chamäleons is a member, sent an open letter to the EU Commission yesterday.

The open letter can be downloaded and read free of charge here. Please support the cause and share the open letter widely so that other keepers become aware of the current situation. We need strong associations like the DGHT to represent our concerns at EU level! Please also write to your MEPs so that they get wind of this issue.