Chameleon Academy Podcast

Evaluate your chameleons cage set-up to find what you could improve. This episode trains you on the Forest Edge 5+5 checklist which will allow you to methodically go through each item that is important to your chameleon. This is the exact system I use when I do my chameleon cage reviews on the Chameleon Academy YouTube channel. I am sharing it with you so you will be able to expertly analyze your own chameleon's cage.

This video series is supported by Custom Reptile Habitats and the Dragon Strand Chameleon Caging Company. Purchases of chameleon enclosures from either of these two companies make this series possible. Custom Reptile Habitats offers high end enclosures. I personally designed the Chameleon Academy Arboreal line of enclosures. These wide format enclosures facilitate bioactive and naturalistic environments. You can explore the enclosures here: https://customreptilehabitats.com/collections/official-chameleon-academy-products?sca_ref=4924022.2ddcdVif4X&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=affiliate-william-strand

Dragon Strand offers mid-range cages that are fully featured designed specifically for the needs of chameleon keepers including Dragon Ledges for mounting pots/branches, a fitted drainage tray, two hydration mounts for misters, and solid and screen floor panels that can be switched out. Dragon strand cages come in both hybrid and screen versions at https://dragonstrand.com

What do I do to improve pet store standards for keeping chameleons? Not only are chameleons not being cared for correctly, the improper care gives the wrong message to the beginning chameleon keeper. Do we tell the pet store to up their chameleon care? Do we tell the corporation to improve their chameleon care standards? Today I discuss the the ways we can make a difference in creating a better world for captive chameleons.

Rare Genetics, Inc. is opening up a final round of test development for a genetic test for panther chameleon locale. This is a 35 minute conversation with Dr. Ben Morrill, who is actively working on a way to explore panther chameleon local forms using genetic material from their shed skin. We are very excited to see this go to market and future improvements as we put it out there for people to use in their projects.

If you keep chameleons (or any reptile) you might feel like there is change in the air. Yes, there are some major shifts happening and it is wise that we face them head on.

Quality over quantity. TC Houston started taking about small batch breeding on the Animals at Home podcast a few years ago and it started a chain reaction. I am convinced that we can make our community better by embracing these concepts.

Dart frogs are a most incredible creature! And Troy Goldberg of YouTube's Troy Goldberg's garage, joins me to share how to take care of these little guys!

Rus Wilson from Aquarimax (https://www.aquarimax.com/) and I talk about what Isopods I should use for my new Custom Reptile Habitats Arboreal XL Enclosure. It has a special "forest Floor Viewing Window" and I want to have some awesome isopod action down there!!

Breeding chameleons is a resource consuming task if done properly. Burnout amongst chameleon breeders is common. And with that our community experience is depleted. In this episode I look at how we can use Small Batch Breeding concepts to strengthen our community and increase satisfaction for the individual keeper turned breeder.

Michael DiBoneventura joins us today to represent the perspective of a new breeder. He has a ton of experience with various reptiles throughout his life, like most of us, but he got started with Panther Chameleons by raising them individually. We discuss some of the information he used and what he looks for when sourcing animals ethically. He also talks about female management and clutch sizes that he shoots for. Great discussion!

Brian Stewart is one of the long-tenure Panther Chameleon breeders I have worked with for many years. In this episode, he talks about what it was like to attempt to verify a local form in the mail before the internet, and how much easier we all have it today. He also talks about some of his breeding philosophy and preferences after having lived through and seen thousands of animals over the years. I remember when I got started in 2015 hearing about these Brian Stewart babies and how big/healthy they are. He has been a role model and a goal post for many years and it was an honor to sit down with him here.