ULTRAviolet
1
Chameleons / Alligator Alley / Hella Habitats
Celebrating rebel Reptiles
CONTENTS
01 03 05 27
CHAMELEON DOSSIER
UNBELIEVABLE LIZARD FACTS
EYES OF A STARGAZER
WE ARE LIZARD PEOPLE
`
07
The coolest color-changer around.
13
OKC’s premier herp house.
19
Set up a gorgeous terrarium!
CHAMELEON CHROMATICS
ALLIGATOR ALLEY
HELLA HABITATS
01
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe APPEARANCE: Male Jackson’s chameleons are most noticeable due to the brown horns which protrude from the face. LIFESPAN: In captivity, Jackson’s chameleons live between 8—10 years. In the wild, lifespan is currently unknown. ORIGIN: Africa, mainly Madagascar MALE SIZE: 38cm (15in)
chameleon care dossier
jackson’s chameleon
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chamaeleo Jacksonii
FEMALE SIZE: 25cm (10in) TEMPERMENT: Male Jackson’s will defend their territory by changing to brighter colours, puffing up their body and turning sideways so they look larger. They will also hiss and sway from side to side. DIET: Jackson’s chameleons are omnivores. Most of their diet is small animals such as ants, butterflies, slugs, small birds, amphibians and even smaller chameleons. 02
DID YOU KNO If threatened by predators, horned lizards will squirt blood from the eyes. The squirting blood comes from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). It’s meant to confuse would-be predators including birds, coyotes and snakes.
Horned Toads are actually lizards, which are a type of reptile. They are not toads, a type of amphibian.
03
unbelievable Lizard Facts
OW?
04
A CHAMELEON’S EYES MOVE LIKE THEY’RE MOUNTED evom nac seye sih ecnis ,sterrut ON TURRETS... eht stel sihT .ecno ta snoitcerid
...
in
ch
pr
si
m
ea
,sedis lla no yerp rof hcraes
snoitcerid tnereffid morf sega...sepa mi
in diffe
fo egnar lluf a evah seye siH .ylsu
chame
gnola dna kcab ,tnorf ,nwod ,pu gnproces itni
S’NOE EKIL E DETNUO .S
.rehto hcae fo yltnednepsimult edn
motion
each s
05
.separate turrets, since his eyes can move
n different directions at once. This lets the
hameleon search for prey on all sides,
rocessing images from different directions ...separate turrets, since his eyes can move imultaneously. His eyes have a full range of different directions at once. This lets the tarapointing pes...up, down, front,inback motion, and along chameleon search for prey on all sides, ach side independently of each other. nereffid ni processing images from different directions
oelemahc
simultaneously. His eyes have a full range of
motion, pointing up, down, front, back and along nissturrets, ecorpsince his eyes can move arate each side independently of each other. erent directions at once. This lets the
enatlumis
A CHAMELEON’S EYES MOVE LIKE THEY’RE MOUNTED ON TURRETS.
p ,noitom
EMAHC A OM SEYE ER’YEHT ERRUT NO
ssing images from different directions ...separate turrets, since his eyes can move in different directions at once. taneously. His eyes have a full range of edis hcae This lets the chameleon search for prey on all sides, processing images from n, pointing up, down, front,different back and along simultaneously. directions His eyes have a full range of motion, side independently of eachpointing other. up, ...separate turrets, his eyes can move down, front, back since and along each side independently of each other. in different directions at once. This lets the The chameleons’ eyes can rotate and focus separately on 180-degree chameleon search forarcs, prey on all sides, so they can focus on two different objects atprocessing the same time. images from different directions
Eyes of a stargazer
eleon search for prey on all sides,
simultaneously. His eyes have a full range of 06 motion, pointing up, down, front, back and along
Chameleon C Chha amme el le eo onn Chromatics
Chromatics Chromatics
07
Chameleon Chromatics
em dlot rehto luos noelemahc a e mother told me My mother My told me I have a chameleon soul.
08
YOU’RE KNOWN NWHEN YOU’RE FOR BEING INVISIBLE, WN FOR BEING IBLE, E’ S NOTHING E AS SCARY EING SEEN.
.NEES GNIEB S
09
KNOWN FOR BEING INVISIBLE, OING NK EQUITE R’UOYAS NESCARY HW .GNIHTON S ’EREHT
HEN YOU’RE KNOWN FOR BEING INVISIBLE, HERE’ S NOTHING QUITE AS SCARY AS BEING SEEN.
CHAMELEONS have some amazing physical features. Most have eyes that move independently and have a very long projectile tongue. Some species can extend their tongue up to twice the length of the body. They also have a prehensile tail that helps them climb and balance on branches. To aid a life in trees, their hands and feet have fused to be pincer-like which helps them grasp branches. These reptiles also have flattened bodies, another adaptation for an arboreal lifestyle.
OU’RE KNOWN FOR BEING INVISIBLE, S NOTHING QUITE AS SCARY G SEEN.
,ELBISIVNI GNIEB ROF N YR A C S S A E T I
.NEES GNIEB SA
,ELBISIVNI GNIEB ROF NWONK ER’UOY NEH YRACS SA ETIUQ GNIHTON S ’EREH
Chameleon Chromatics
KNOWN FOR BEING INVISIBLE, THERE’ S NOTHING QUITE AS SCARY AS BEING SEEN.
...THERE’ S NOTHING QUITE AS SCARY AS BEING SEEN. 10
ak ,amraK Y y fi ysae eb dluow gni sae eb dluow gnivoL ,dlog ,deR deR HOW DO CHAMELEONS BLEND SO WELL?
Most chameleons change from brown to green and back, but some can turn almost any colour. A change can occur in as little as 20 seconds. Chameleons are born with special cells that have a colour or pigment in them. These cells lie in layers under the chameleon’s outer skin. They are called chromatophores. The top layers of chromatophores have red or yellow pigment. The lower layers have blue or white pigment. When these pigment cells change, the chameleon’s skin colour changes.
greatly in size, color, greatly in size, color, ity. The smallest ity. The smallest ess than two inches ess than two inches e largest can be up to e largest can be up to es long. es long.
Light
Mood
Chameleons actual eyesight is so great they can see small insects 5-10 meters away. They can also see in both visible and ultraviolet light!
11
oL
Many vary greatly in size,
karma and Karma, longevity. The sma
So why do Chameleons change color? Many people think chameleons change colour to blend in with their surroundings. Scientists disagree. Their studies show that light, temperature and mood cause chameleons to change colour. Sometimes changing colour can make the chameleon more comfortable. Sometimes it helps the animal communicate with other chameleons.
Karma,
species is less than two in
Loving would be easy if would be long Loving and the largest can Red, be go R Research compiled by Kiley Hoffman
thirty inches
Chameleon Chromatics
Temperature
Many vary greatly in size, color, a
longevity. The smallest species is
than two inches long and the lar can be up to thirty inches long. 12
13
14
Allicator alley
Nicely m friendl Helpful and qua
staff and items “ a local herp sh Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you.
People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.
”
—Steve Irwin
15
managed ly alitypeople Alligator Alley carries a full line of reptiles, including: iguanas, leopard geckos, monitors, bearded dragons, boa constrictors, pythons, milk snakes, corn snakes, tortoises, and turtles. As the state’s largest reptile supplier, Alligator Alley carries other unusual pets, including tarantulas, scorpions, millipedes, giant cockroaches, treefrogs, and salamanders.
Allicator alley
s for hop!
OKC’s PRemier Reptile supply store!
16
Alligator Alley 4636 NW 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73127. Call ahead at (405) 949-2553.
17
Allicator alley
Hours Monday 10AM–7PM Tuesday 10AM–7PM Wednesday 10AM–7PM Thursday 10AM–7PM Friday 10AM–6PM Saturday 10AM–6PM Sunday Closed
18
HELLA HABITATS
-
19
Hella Habitats
ARE YOU SETTING UP for your new chameleon? Do you still have questions about what you need? Are you unsure about your current setup? Well, you came to the right place. This article will focus on setting up a new home for your panther chameleon. Throughout the article, you will find helpful hints and tips that will save you both time and money!
20
THE INSIDE SCOOP ON CREATING THE PERFECT CHAMELEON HABITAT!
21
THE BASICS The first thing you will need is an all-screen cage. Chameleons need a screen cage because they require good ventilation. Don’t let anyone tell you different! Stagnant air and constant moisture can get them sick. A wellventilated cage will dry everything out. The type of screen cage you purchase will depend on your budget and needs.
Hella Habitats
chameleons won’t drink water from a traditional water dish. They drink dewdrops from leaves instead! Whether you use artificial branches and vines, or the real thing, you will need at least three pieces. One closer to the basking area, one in the middle, and one at the lower end of the cage. The most important thing is to provide different temperature levels in the cage for the chameleon’s body to automatically thermoregulate.
22
There should only be ONE chameleon per cage.
Placement The basking lamp should be placed in the top corner of the cage. Place some vines and branches about 6 to 10 inches under the bulb. For smaller enclosures and a lower watt bulb, place the branches 3-5 inches from the bulb. Your chameleon will suffer thermal burns if he/she gets too close to the basking light. Place the fluorescent bulb along the top of the cage. Remember, fluorescent bulbs are only effective up to 12 inches.
Chameleons will not drink standing water— they will only lick water drops from leaves. To simulate this in captivity we use a dripper. The best method is an automatic misting system. Place the dripper over a plant with heavy foliage like a pothos, ficus or umbrella tree. Make sure that your chameleon can drink from the leaves. You may also want to place a small bowl on the bottom of the cage to collect excess water. Research compiled by Kiley Hoffman
23
Hella Habitats
Select a terrarium that’s the right size and shape for your reptile.
24
NIMA UTE 25
AL DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE AN ANIMAL LOVER IF YOU ONLY LOVE THE CUTE AND FLUFFY.
26
DEPENDEN
INDEPENDENT
HLY-PAID
HLY-PAID
MISUNDERSTOOD
NDERSTO 27
T
D
OOD
LIZARD PEOPLE The most independent of all pet people, lizard owners will mostly found as engineers, marketing/public raelations professionals, editors/ writers or police officers. Because so many lizard owners are very autonomous, many secure jobs in highpaying fields, or even go on to be entrepreneurs!
We are lizard people
NT
Not everyone understands the pets we keep. Many reptile owners are alternative individuals, with traits such as leadership lending to their lone wolf status. While lizard owners scored lowest in humor, they landed high marks in thoughtfulness!
28