When a Chameleon Trusts You…

Summary

In this heartwarming and humorous story, the narrator adopts a chameleon named Bernie, who is in poor health and refuses to eat. Through perseverance, the narrator provides Bernie with a new home, feeding him with a stick, and patiently nurturing him back to health. Along the way, Bernie learns to trust the narrator, though his attempts to breed with a female chameleon, Becky, end in failure. Ultimately, Bernie forms a deep bond with the narrator, transforming from a lonely, scared pet into a beloved companion. This tale blends humor, challenges, and the unexpected joys of pet care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bernie was bought for a significant amount of money, but his initial condition was poor, with peeling skin and an unfit cage.
• 😀 The narrator's primary mission was to find Bernie a mate, Becky, though Bernie was in no condition to breed initially.
• 😀 Chameleons, like Bernie, are mood-sensitive creatures that change color to express their emotions: green for happy, blue for excited, and orange for angry.
• 😀 The narrator immediately tackled Bernie's skin issues by using a humidifier to help restore moisture to his environment.
• 😀 Bernie refused to eat initially, going on a hunger strike and expressing frustration through color changes instead of eating.
• 😀 The narrator used a feeding stick to help Bernie eat without making him feel threatened, leading to Bernie's first successful meal.
• 😀 Bernie’s new home was carefully built with wood, foam, silicone, and plants to ensure it was a suitable, comfortable environment for him.
• 😀 A mold outbreak threatened Bernie's health, but the narrator quickly solved the problem by introducing a cleanup crew of mold-eating animals.
• 😀 On day 30, the narrator attempted to introduce Bernie to Becky for breeding, but Bernie was intimidated, and Becky became aggressive.
• 😀 Despite failing to bond with Becky, Bernie developed a strong bond with the narrator, growing into a trusting companion who follows him around and enjoys human interaction.
• 😀 The script highlights the emotional journey of the narrator and Bernie, with humor and care intertwined in their relationship-building process.

Q & A

Why was Bernie's initial condition so poor?

Bernie's initial condition was poor because his cage was too dry, which caused his skin to peel off, and he was also very stressed. The environment was unsuitable for his needs, and this affected his health negatively.

How did the humidifier help Bernie?

The humidifier helped Bernie by increasing the moisture in the air, which aided in removing the dead skin from his body. It was a simple but effective solution to combat the dryness that was affecting his health.

Why was Bernie refusing to eat initially?

Bernie refused to eat initially due to his fear of the caretaker and the unfamiliar environment. Instead of eating, he displayed stress behaviors, such as flaring up and changing color, which is a sign of aggression or distress in chameleons.

What is the significance of a chameleon’s color change?

A chameleon's color change is an important part of their communication. It reflects their emotional state. For example, green means they are calm or happy, blue indicates excitement, orange signals anger, and other color changes are used to communicate different feelings or reactions.

What was the narrator's ultimate mission for Bernie?

The narrator’s ultimate mission for Bernie was to find him a mate. The narrator wanted to improve Bernie's living conditions, get him healthy, and eventually pair him with a female chameleon named Becky to allow them to breed.

How did the narrator approach the task of building Bernie a new home?

The narrator meticulously built a new tank for Bernie, measuring three feet long by three feet tall. They added wood, foam, and various materials to create a natural, secure environment. The goal was to provide Bernie with a suitable habitat that would encourage his health and well-being.

What was the problem with Becky during the breeding process?

Becky, the female chameleon, was becoming impatient and eager to breed. However, Bernie was not yet in the proper physical or emotional condition to mate, which created tension. Additionally, there was the risk that Bernie could harm Becky due to their size difference.

What challenge did the narrator face with mold in the tank, and how was it resolved?

The narrator faced a mold outbreak in the new tank, which could have been dangerous for Bernie. To resolve this, they introduced a cleanup crew—animals that help eliminate mold. After a few days, the cleanup crew successfully removed the mold, ensuring the environment was safe for Bernie.

Why did the breeding attempt between Bernie and Becky fail?

The breeding attempt failed because Bernie, despite showing interest, was not able to bond with Becky. Becky became aggressive towards him, and their interaction turned hostile. This failure highlighted that Bernie may not have been emotionally ready for mating.

What emotional bond did Bernie form, and with whom?

Although Bernie did not bond with Becky, he formed an emotional connection with the narrator. He began following the narrator around, eating from their hand, and even begging for pets. This bond showed that Bernie, initially a fearful and defensive creature, had grown to trust and connect with his caretaker.