The Damage of Lip Tips in Chameleons Due to Transport in Cotton Bags

For decades, I have preached against the dangerous practice of transporting chameleons in cotton bags, akin to how snakes are handled. This widespread method used by many causes significant harm to these sensitive reptiles, resulting in terrible damage and suffering that often leads to slow and painful death.

Chameleons are increasingly popular as pets and need to be transported for many reasons: from field catchers to exporters, from exporters to importers, from importers to resellers, and finally to breeders and keepers. However, the continued use of cotton bags poses serious risks.

There are several significant issues with using cotton bags for transport:

1. Entanglement: Chameleons can become entangled in the threads of the cotton, which can lead to severe injuries. I lost a beautiful C. parsonii female due to this issue; she got her leg constricted, resulting in extensive damage, sepsis, and eventually death.

2. Damage to Lips: When confined in cotton bags, chameleons often stretch and struggle, leading to serious lip injuries. They are extremely sensitive and dislike any restriction on their bodies, associating it with their most stressful experiences—mating and being attacked by predators. The lip injuries often become infected resulting in severe health complications, including mouth rot. It is essential to monitor their mouths closely because mouth rot begins subtly and can worsen rapidly if not caught early.

3. Desiccation: The hygroscopic properties of cotton can lead to severe dehydration.

4. Hypoxia: If a chameleon has been overhydrated before transport, they may vomit, exacerbating the problem of moisture absorption in the cotton. same if they urinate or defecate during transport, the cotton will absorb the moisture and become impenetrable to air. This can lead to hypoxia and a life-threatening situation. This can further suffocate them as the cotton blocks airflow.

When transporting chameleons, it is crucial not to use cotton bags. Instead, opt for plastic boxes with small ventilation openings and include a diagonal stick for climbing, along with a piece of toilet paper to create a safe environment. Despite decades of advocacy for proper transport, many still use cotton bags, resulting in unnecessary suffering and loss of life. Please take a stand against this harmful practice and protect these remarkable creatures.