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Words From the Editor

By Christopher V. Anderson


Citation:

Anderson, C.V. (2003). Words from the editor. Chameleons! Online E-Zine, May 2003. (http://www.chameleonnews.com/03MayAndersonWFTE.html)


Welcome to CHAMELEONS E-Zine!

For this issue we allow a guest editor to take the reigns. By introducing guest editors occasionally we hope to spread out the views that are presented here. Welcome to an issue designed by Chris Anderson!


Words From the Guest Editor:

Most of us have seen the figures on the tonnage of chameleons that have been exported over the past 15 or so years. These figures are horrifying to say the least and should be nothing to the contrary to any of us who claim to love and respect these animals. At the same time however, a large number of chameleon keepers have been completely pushed away from the issue purely due to the radical stands taken by a select few individuals. These individuals, some of whom seek nothing less than a complete ban on exportation and even a total stop to the keeping of chameleons in captivity, have taken steps to get their opinions across in ways which have done nothing but anger many and cause them to fight all attempts which in moderation could actual be useful and acceptable to the public. This issue offers and discuses another options to the total ban solution. Josh Mease offers an analysis of farming chameleons in their country of origin. The idea of farming could potentially become a cornerstone in future breeding attempts working toward a decrease in the wild capture of chameleons for the pet trade.

In addition, I feel that it is important to express that that the complete focus on this one aspect threatening these animals existence is not going to save these animals. The only way to protect and conserve chameleons in the wild is to approach the problems from all sides in such a way as to minimize all threats, not just one or two. In an attempt to show the vast dangers to chameleon natural habitat, I have written an article on the status of chameleon natural habitat. While this should not be anything new to any naturalist, I hope that this compliment of observations and publications shows the need for attention to be spread to multiple aspects of chameleon conservation.

To round off the issue, Kenneth Barnett and I have written an article on chameleon infrasound communication. Here we discuss past publications and observations as well as present our research in the area. This aspect of chameleon husbandry is not well understood and we hoped to show what efforts have and are being taken to further explore this behavior.

Don Wells writes about how to produce feeder roaches. Just what your spouse wanted you to get into!

Dr. Sue Donoghue has taken this issue off but will continue her Nutrition section in future issues. Moonlighting on the side, Ken Kalisch submits a round of answers in this issue's "Just Ask!"

I'd like to thank all those individuals who helped me pull this issue together. Without their help I would not have been able to do it. I would also like to thank Ken, Don and Bill for entrusting me with this issue and for the chance to once again contribute to this E-Zine.

Thanks and enjoy the Issue!

Chris Anderson

Guest Editor - May 2003


Christopher V. Anderson


Chris Anderson is a herpetologist currently working on his Ph.D. at the University of South Florida after receiving his B.S. from Cornell University. He has spent time in the jungles of South East Asia, among other areas, aiding in research for publication. He has previously traveled throughout Madagascar in search of, and conducting personal research on, the chameleons of the region. He has traveled to over 35 countries, including chameleon habitat in 6. Currently, Chris is the Editor and Webmaster of the Chameleons! Online E-Zine and is studying the kinematics and morphological basis of ballistic tongue projection and tongue retraction in chameleons for his dissertation. Chris Can be emailed at Chris.Anderson@chameleonnews.com or cvanders@mail.usf.edu.

 

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