November 19, 2008
Jackson comes to call
We have a lot of feral cats in my neighborhood. Just this morning Lance spotted one sunning in the neighbor’s yard right over our fence and went into his beagle antics, barking and baying, trying to claw his way though the chain link. A little later he started again. Barking at felines doesn’t usually last long because they get tired of it pretty quickly and move on. This time the barking went on and on, and Lance wouldn’t even stop when I hollered out the window at him. I went out to the side yard to see what the stir was. As I approached I thought he was barking at a small branch blown from the neighbor’s tree. We’ve been getting great, gusty winds for a few days and there are branches and other detritus scattered around the yard. When the branch tried to climb up the side of the shed I knew I’d been wrong.
Meet my new houseguest, a Jackson’s Chameleon. They were introduced to Hawaii in the seventies and have become popular pets for local kids. I called my pet warehouse folks and have been advised that this fellow won’t starve within twenty-four hours, so I’ll add crickets to the list when I go pick up Lance’s Science Diet tomorrow.
That’s assuming I don’t find him a new home by then. The stores sell Jackson’s for $20 and up, so I’m hoping the afternoon rush of kids walking home from school will help me find him a new family. If not, I’ll just keep the sign up and I’m sure someone will want him soon. I’ve got him situated in a giant planter right now, with a water dish and a little greenery to keep him company. He needs a cage or aquarium, but since I’m not keeping him I won’t bother. I’ve seen them wandering around inside clients houses on several occasions, but I’m keeping this guy outside on the carport. Aside from lizard poop on the kitchen counters and computer desks and who-knows-where else, there’s Lance to consider. He might eventually get over being intimidated and decide that a Jackson’s for dinner would be a fine thing. I’m not terribly fond of the little green guy, but I don’t think he deserves death by beagle, either!
[tags]chameleon’s, Jackson’s chameleons, pictures[/tags]
Posted by skeet @ 11:25 am • Outdoors, Home & Family
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November 20th, 2008 at 4:52 am, Phoebe Says:
Ummm did you know right away what that thing was? He’s kinda scary looking; a lot scarier than my yard skink that keeps scarin’ me. Perhaps it’s someone’s pet and it ran away from home? Or wanted to move to Texas too? Uhhhh what’s that Google Bomb thingy down there?
November 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pm, skeet Says:
Yes, Phoebe, I knew it was a Jackson’s Chameleon. Quite a few folks here have them as pets. I’m not sure why the state ever let them in, considering our strict quarantine policies. Sure enough, many of them have escaped and they’re breeding in the wild. That’s got to have an impact. Maybe they eat insects that one of our endangered birds rely on as a food source - things like that are the reason for not allowing new species in.
I’m not sure what you mean about the Google bomb thingie. Splain, please?