Chameleon Academy Podcast
329 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 125 ratingsHosted by long time chameleon keeper and breeder, Bill Strand, the Chameleon Academy Podcast tackles subjects from basic to advanced and brings in insight from experts in the field. There is something for everyone from beginning keepers to experienced breeders. Subscribe for a weekly dose of chameleon talk!
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Episodes
The Forest Edge 5+5 Chameleon Cage Checklist
April 01, 2024 12:00 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBEvaluate 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...
Can We Change Pet Store Chameleon Care?
March 30, 2024 18:03 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MBWhat 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.
Panther Chameleon Genetic Test Update with Dr. Ben Morrill
March 15, 2024 16:08 - 40 minutes - 74.9 MBRare 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.
Changes Ahead for the Reptile Community
March 02, 2024 14:18 - 25 minutes - 35.3 MBIf 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.
Origin and Future of Small Batch Breeding in the Chameleon Community
February 23, 2024 13:27 - 51 minutes - 70.4 MBQuality 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! with Troy Goldberg
February 16, 2024 16:10 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBDart 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!
Isopods! with Rus Wilson
February 09, 2024 16:13 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBRus 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!!
Changing the Future of Chameleon Breeding
February 05, 2024 10:00 - 30 minutes - 42 MBBreeding 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.
Starting a Panther Chameleon Breeding Project
January 01, 2024 19:25 - 1 hour - 106 MBMichael 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!
Evolution of Panther Chameleon Breeding with Brian Stewart
December 25, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 131 MBBrian 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/heal...
Selective Breeding of Panther Chameleons
December 18, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBJonathan is joined by Robbie Anderson and Bryan Long to discuss the realities of being a panther chameleon breeder and the strategies to be a good one.
Panther Chameleons in the Wild
December 11, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBMadcham.de is an invaluable website compiled by Thorsten Negro and Dr. Alex Laube. Their efforts have given us insight into the wild conditions for the chameleons that live in Madagasar. Jonathan is joined by Lee and Amanda Ready to gain insight into the locales of Panther Chameleons.
Panther Chameleons as a Species with Dr. Chris Anderson
December 04, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 91.6 MBDr. Chris Anderson joins Jonathan to discuss Panther Chameleons from a scientific persceptive.
Can Small Batch Breeding Save Us All?
December 01, 2023 21:21 - 20 minutes - 28 MBMaybe not save us all, but Small Batch Breeding could be an answer to avoiding breeder burn-out as well as possbily establishing new chameleon species in captivity. Will it work? To be determined. But you are in the right place to watch us try!
Discussions on Breeding Panther Chameleons
November 27, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes - 69.9 MBPanther Chameleons have become the foundation of the growth of our chameleon community. This is the inaugural episode of the new iPardalis Podcast produced by Jonathan Hill. He introduces us to the issues and discussions surrounding the panther chameleon community.
A New Podcast: The iPardalis Podcast by Jonathan Hill
November 24, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 46.9 MBThe Chameleon Academy is now a network . I have the pleasure of introducing to you iPardalis Podcast! The iPardalis Podcast looks at the various issues facing the panther chameleon community. Host, Jonathan Hill, of iPardalis, explores genetics, natural history, ethics, and the basics of breeding panther chameleons. Through this podcast you will meet a number of community members that further the important conversations we need to have.
Mossy Leaf-tailed Geckos with Dave Bagshaw!
November 10, 2023 04:41 - 52 minutes - 71.4 MBOne species that gets a constant love is the Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko, Uroplatus sikorae from Madagascar. This is one of the extreme bark mimics and the camouflage is freakishly good! Not only is the coloration perfect, but the frill around their lower jaw serves to ear the typical animal shape and make the gecko appear to meld onto the branch. Yes, definitely a unique lizard that checks the boxes to be adored by people attracted to chameleons! Today I talk with Dave Bagshaw about the Mossy...
The Namaqua Chameleon with Brett Hanson
October 27, 2023 19:45 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBOf the more than 200 species of chameleons, none breaks the mold like the Namaqua chameleon. They don't climb and they run across sand dunes. Brett Hanson shares what it is like working with and reproducing Chamaeleo namaquensis, the Namaqua Chameleon.
Grasshoppers as Chameleon Feeder Insects with Dean Missimer
October 19, 2023 23:02 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBDean Missimer wants to help us give our chameleons a more natural diet. To this end he is breeding grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects that match what is found in the gut of wild chameleons. Listen in as he talks about grasshoppers as a chameleon feeder insect!
A Discussion about Breeding Chameleons with Kevin Stanford
October 06, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBKevin Stanford, who bred Carpet Chameleons to the 10th captive generation, joins me to talk about chameleon breeding projects.
Establishing a Chameleon Species
September 29, 2023 08:01 - 35 minutes - 49.2 MBWe often feel the desire to establish chameleon species in captivity. It should be easy. We know how to breed them. But it just doesn’t seem to happen easily. Why not? Today I am going to explain the challenges of establishing a chameleon species in captivity and how we might be inching closer to success. And will our progress be in time to really make a difference?
AnimalCon 2023 and Becoming an Animal Content Creator
September 22, 2023 09:00 - 15 minutes - 20.8 MBHave you ever considered becoming an animal influencer? With a growing community there is a diverse need for communicators and educators across different platforms. Today I’ll talk about Animalcon, which is a huge gathering of animal themed content creators, and give some insight into joining this space by becoming an animal content creator yourself.
Chameleon Community History & Future with Jurgen Van Overbeke
September 08, 2023 09:00 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBJurgen Van Overbeke and I talk about the different ways European and US chameleon communities have grown over the last few decades and talk about where we all are going.
Tribolonotus Crocodile Skinks!
August 25, 2023 19:05 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBWelcome to the Outer Fringes where we explore reptiles out there that are as cool as chameleons! Today we get introduced to a miniature armored creature that is one of the top five dragonesque reptiles - the crocodile skink! Breeder Christopher Musi joins me to give us an intoduction to this amazing lizard!
Should we keep Machakos Hills Jackson's and Xantholophus the same?
August 11, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBI have kept the Machakos Hills Jackson's Chameleon under identical conditions as the Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus) for multiple generation for both subspecies. But should they really be kept under the same conditions. Is it possible that I could do better for one or both? In this episode you can lsiten in as I challenge sonething I thought I knew. Whether I confirm I was right or open up a new understanding, I will have a higher confidence in what I ...
Should I Buy a Panther Chameleon Egg?
August 04, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBAre you thinking about getting a Panther Chameleon egg? There are some things you should know before making that decision! I talk about why "cheap" is not a good motivation and how it isn't "easy" unless you have good information to get set-up. Today i give you the pros and cons of buying a panther chameleon egg to hatch yourself. Education is key. But which ever way you decide to go, you will find the information you need here on the Panther Chameleon Podcast!
Keep Happiness in Chameleon Keeping
July 29, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MBIt is very easy to get excited about chameleons. And just like everything else that excites us it is very easy to think that more chameleons would be better! Today I am going to explore different ways to keep that excitement going and avoid burn out!
How Beginners Choose a Chameleon Breeder
July 21, 2023 15:36 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBYou know how to breed chameleons, but how do you get chosen from the myriad of breeders the customer has options of? Today I take a look at what is important to start your breeding business. On the Panther Chamelen Podcast I released an eipsode on how to choose a chameleon breeder. That was talking to the newcomer trying to make heads or tails of all the names. I replay this episode, but come at it from the perspective of the new breeder. How can you present yourself in the best possible w...
Chameleons and Color
July 14, 2023 19:36 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBChameleons are famous for changing color. As cool as it would be to change color to match a background, chameleon color change is much more useful to us. It gives us a window into what they are thinking. Chameleon colors change with age, temperature, and emotional state. Today I am going to talk about how chameleons communicate through color and what it can do for our understanding of our mini tree dragon!
Panther Chameleons as Pets - What you need to know!
July 07, 2023 20:05 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBThe Panther Chameleon Podcast is a tutorial podcast that turns your commute, workout, and chore time into research about panther chameleons. Today I introduce myself and discuss what a Panther Chameleon is like as a pet. Show notes and further educational resources can be found at https://chameleonacademy.com/panther-chameleons-as-pets/ Welcome to the first episode of the Panther Chameleon Podcast!
Announcing the Chameleon Academy Network
July 07, 2023 19:58 - 5 minutes - 7.46 MBAs of today, the Chameleon Academy Podcast officially becomes the Chameleon Academy Network. This means that you will see other titles come across this feed to enhance your chameleon listening experience. Although this is a big move for me, this really isn't a big change for you. You'll keep getting chameleon podcasts as you usually do! But I explain it all in this episode so you understand what is going on with the next episode you'll receive!
Chameleon Keeping: Do you want the easy way or the hard way?
July 01, 2023 18:22 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBChameleon keeping is like anything else, there is an easy way to do it and a hard way! I explore decision milestones at various places along the chameleon keeper's journey and share my decades of experience as to what the best decision may be. Learn from me doing it the hard way so you can do it the easy way!
Making a Chameleon Species Care Guide
June 09, 2023 17:33 - 25 minutes - 34.8 MBHow are Chameleon Academy care guides put together? It is usually based on the experiences of a number of senior members of the chameleon community. This episode gives a behind the scenes look at the creation of a care guide for Calumma brevicorne, the Short-Horned Chameleon!
Chameleon Breeder Husbandry vs Keeper Husbandry
May 05, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 97.6 MBShould chameleon keepers have a different husbandry than chameleon breeders? It doesn't make sense that they would, but that is a typical situation. We know why this is, but shouldn't it be different? Would you, as a customer, be willing to pay what it takes for breeders to provide the same level of care as keepers do? Jonathan Hill of iPardalis joins me to discuss what we should expect from ourselves as breeders and as customers in the chameleon community.
Giving Your Chameleon a Long Life
April 28, 2023 19:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBWe want our chameleons to live a long life. But, more thn that, we want our chameleons to live a quality life. Longevity is just the way we measure our success! Today I explore the top things you can do to give your chameleon many years filled with a quality of life
Fogging Chameleons with Petr Necas Part 2
April 21, 2023 12:53 - 58 minutes - 79.7 MBLet's talk about fogging chameleons in captivity! Petr Necas is back for part two of the interview where we turn our attention to the situations facing people who would like to implement fogging in captivity. Petr leads the exploration of fogging with chameleons so it will be educational to catch up with his latest thoughts. We also touch on Petr's ideas on over-hydration. I am still evaluating that concept myself and so I present to you this interview so that you can hear his logic. Whether...
Fogging Chameleons with Petr Necas Part 1
April 14, 2023 15:06 - 1 hour - 84.9 MBLet's take a closer look into fogging as a hydration technique for chameleons. Petr Necas has been a vocal proponent of fogging not only as a hydration component, but as primary hydration source. And so, I am bringing him and and we are going to be talking about the experiments he has done to show how fogging can be used. Today we focus on how the idea to fog came up in the first place.
Chameleon Hydration and Drinking
April 07, 2023 23:35 - 25 minutes - 35 MBProperly hydrating your chameleon is one of the most important parts of chameleon husbandry. Life in the trees presents us with a challenge when we are trying to figure out the best approach. I will be giving an overview of chameleon hydration, the methods used, and what more we need to figure out.
The Biggest Killer of Chameleons
March 26, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 34 MBChronic stress us why chameleons appear to just drop dead. They are not fragile when cared for properly, but they do hide stress very well. And that stress can accumulate to the point of being deadly. This podcast episode will explain it in detail so you will be able to explain the dynamic to others. This episode is a re-telling of episode 158. Stress is a topic which must be reviewed on a regular basis! To listen to more podcast episodes on Youtube just look for the Podcast playlist on th...
Can I Keep My Chameleons Together?
March 17, 2023 22:46 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MBKeeping chameleons together is a way to shorten their lives. Chameleons are not creatures that enjoy the company of their own kind and we need to respect this. But we also need to understand why this is. In today's episode we review the reasons. This episode is a re-telling of episode 107. Cohabitation is a topic which must be reviewed on a regular basis!
Keeping Roaches in a Bioactive Environment
March 10, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBYou can keep and breed roaches in a bioactive environment with great success! They are living creatures just like our chameleons and benefit from natural surroundings. Summer Winston from The Shap comes on and shares her experience breeding roaches in a bioactive environment.
Brookesia Stump-tailed Chameleons
March 03, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 97.7 MBThe Brookesia Stump-tailed chameleons are some of the most cryptic and fascinating of chameleons! Michael Nash joins me to discuss what he has learned by breeding a number of species.
Should Chameleons Drink From Water Cups?
February 17, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBIs misting dangerous? Should chameleons drink from water cups instead? There are may ideas bouncing around the internet. Some are good and some not so good. But it can be hard to tell the difference. Today I go over a way that we can evaluate ideas and decide to embrace them or move on.
Keeping Chameleon Plants Alive with Elizabeth Vasquez
February 10, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutes - 56.9 MBLearn how to keep plants alive! We chameleon people love our plants, but are not always the most successful with them! Today I bring on Elizabeth Vasquez from Propagated Perfection, a small business that specializes in propagating house plants or finding that perfect specimen plant for your chameleon cage!
What I learned in Madagascar
February 03, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40 MBMy trip to Madagascar helped me better understand chameleon husbandry. There is something about being there and feeling the environment that cannot be substituted by just looking at numbers. This podcast and post is about what I learned by going to Madagascar, seeing chameleons in their natural habitat, and pondering how what I observed could affect how i kept chameleons. I invite you to come along with this very special episode. This episode was written from my bungalow in Andasibe, Madagas...
Using the 2022 Jackson's Chameleon Care Guide
November 14, 2022 06:09 - 48 minutes - 66.9 MBThis is an episode for educators, admins, breeders, vet offices, and influencers that would like to use the new 2022 Yellow-Crested Jackson's Chameleon Care Guide in their outreach. There is a story behind every number and graphic on this care guide and, in this episode, I go over some of the background and even controversy. To effectively serve the newcomers to the community it is good to understand why the parameters were selected and how to effectively adjust the concepts to fit unique si...
Newcomers & Breeders: A community update
October 24, 2022 02:00 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MBI talk about what newcomers face when coming into the community and then review the dangers breeders face in today's social media world. The major platforms are hostile towards breeders and I discuss the options of how you can protect your business if your account is removed unexpectedly.
Parasites in Captive Chameleons with Dr. Rachel Siu
October 17, 2022 20:55 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBDr. Rachel (IG/TT: @exotic.pet.vet)comes on and discsses her paper which shows the parasites present in outwardly healthy reptiles at public reptile shows in Texas. We discuss her findings and what they mean for our herpetoculture.
Chameleons in Baby Cages
October 07, 2022 04:40 - 43 minutes - 59.5 MBI am joined by Jonathan Hill of iPardalis and we are talking about setting up baby chameleons in small cages. You can use the same environmental conditions as adults, but you have to execute it much differently!
The Chameleon Academy Show! Sept 30, 2022
September 30, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBI am joined by Cohost Mike Tytula and we talk about laying bins and my approach to a quarantine cage. But, the highlight of the show is that I promised Mike that I would introduce him to a very cool new species of chameleon that might be available as captive hatched in the next few years! For that we bring on breeder Tim Marks from Leap Habitats who is pioneering the establishment of the Canopy Chameleon (Furcifer willsii) in captivity. This is an amazing chameleon and I think I did good ful...