The chameleon snake is mainly distributed in Borneo, one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world. According to a report released by the World Wildlife Fund on the 4th, from July 2005 to September 2006, scientists discovered a total of thirty species of fish, two species of tree frogs, sixteen species of ginger plants, three species of trees, and one species of broadleaf plants in the 22,000 square kilometers of tropical rainforest core areas in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The World Wildlife Fund announced in April last year that a total of 361 new species have been discovered in Borneo since 1996, with an average of at least three new species discovered every month. There are still thousands of species in the region that have not been studied. Stuart Chapman, International Coordinator of the World Wildlife Fund's "Heart of Borneo" project, said: "These discoveries once again prove that Borneo is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world."
With the development of agriculture and the cultivation of cash crops, only half of the original forests on the island are left, and local wildlife is in urgent need of protection. Currently, there are 350 species of primates, 150 species of birds, 150 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 15,000 species of plants living in Borneo. It is also the home of endangered species such as orangutans, sun bears, and rhinos.
(1) Cold
Clinical condition: Cold is mostly caused by large temperature changes. Although it is easily treatable, it should not be taken lightly as it can develop into respiratory diseases. The clinical condition of a cold includes sneezing, runny nose, and breathing difficulties.
Treatment method: In the early stage, you can increase the temperature to 30 degrees for constant temperature control. If the cold is severe, in addition to increasing the temperature, proper treatment is also required. Cold medication can be dissolved in water or given as oral medication. Cold medication is mostly antibiotics, which have a certain stimulating effect on pythons. Therefore, they should not be used unless necessary. The dosage is not clearly defined in China, but personally, I believe it should be 1/4 to 1/5 of the dosage for human use, administered subcutaneously.
(2) Oral inflammation
Clinical condition: Oral inflammation is indeed a common disease among pythons. The causes of oral inflammation are numerous, such as bacterial invasion during the spring, aggressive pythons, and unsuitable food. Overfeeding can also cause oral inflammation.
Treatment method: Oral inflammation is not a severe or difficult-to-treat disease. There are many successful cases of treatment among snake enthusiasts. The symptoms of oral inflammation include red and swollen mouth, possible decay and broken teeth, and mucous flow from the corners of the mouth. Severe cases may have refusal to eat. Treatment of oral inflammation can be done using various medications and methods. First, spray clean water into the snake's mouth to remove the mucous. Then, use diluted hydrogen peroxide (1:11:3 ratio) and a disinfectant cotton swab to clean the oral cavity of the snake. After that, apply diluted oxytetracycline (2%-4% depending on the situation) to the inner wall of the mouth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Observe the general condition for 4-7 days, and usually, the condition will improve. After recovery, use the medication once every 2-3 days. Another method recommended by experienced snake owners is to clean with distilled water and then disinfect with diluted hydrogen peroxide (1:1). Rinse off the foam with distilled water and start with Furacin or Watermelon Frost. Change the dressing daily at the beginning and stop using Furacin or Watermelon Frost when the wound is healing. Consolidate with Gentian Violet. There are many other treatment methods and the choice depends on personal preference and convenience. During the treatment process, try to avoid feeding, but if the python is weak and not eating for a long time, you can fill feed it with mice. However, be careful while filling.
(3) Pneumonia
Clinical condition: Pneumonia can be considered one of the major killers of pythons. Pneumonia is mainly caused by sudden climate changes and lack of timely heating facilities, high humidity, stagnant air, soaking in cold water, and hot and stuffy surroundings during summer. These factors can trigger pneumonia, so they must be avoided. The symptoms of pneumonia are worrisome, including bubbling nose, mouth constantly open, normal color and no injuries upon opening the mouth, dislike of staying in its own den, slow crawling, drinking large amounts of water, holding the head at a 45-degree angle while breathing, and a rubbing sound during breathing. Ultimately, it leads to respiratory failure.
Treatment method: Since pneumonia is contagious, isolation treatment is necessary after diagnosis. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus invading the respiratory tract of the snake and producing toxins that infect the lungs. The treatment for pneumonia can be divided into oral and subcutaneous injection. There are many drugs available for the treatment of pneumonia. The following are some common medications for reference: penicillin, streptomycin, Furacin, tetracycline, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, and compound berberine. Oral medication is a relatively safe treatment method, but the treatment effect is not as fast as injection. Commonly used oral medications include cefuracetam, tetracycline, erythromycin, and oxytetracycline. If in powder form, dissolve the medication in water with a syringe and administer it. The dosage is still 1/4 to 1/5 of the human dosage, which means one syringe of water with medication can be divided into 4 doses, taken twice a day, morning and evening.
Subcutaneous injection: Subcutaneous injection is the fastest and most effective treatment method. Since pneumonia is generally caused by Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria, the medication options include penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, compound berberine, and cephalosporin injection. A dosage of 100,000 to 200,000 units can be injected. The dosage of other medications should also be 1/4 to 1/5 of the human dosage. If the condition is severe, the initial dosage can be increased. The injection can be done subcutaneously or intramuscularly. For subcutaneous injection, wait for the pet to balance its body before injecting the medication between the scales at a slanted angle. For intramuscular injection, choose a thicker muscle on the pet's body and inject at a slanted angle along both sides of the spine. Note that whether it is subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, the medication should not be pushed in all at once. It should be done in multiple locations, with approximately one injection per 25 square centimeters. The number of injections for intramuscular injection is twice a day.
The chameleon snake, like most water snakes, is often mistaken as nonvenomous. However, the venom of water snakes is actually located in their rear fangs. What are the dietary requirements for this chameleon snake?
In addition to feeding on various freshwater fish and loaches, it especially enjoys eels and various species of frogs. Feed them according to the season or the special needs of the chameleon snake for fattening. Try to diversify the types of food to meet their body's growth needs. Most water snakes have a strong appetite and need to feed every 4-5 days. Generally, a water snake weighing about 100-200 grams can swallow 1-2 small fish per feeding, and some can even eat 3-4 fish. Furthermore, chameleon snakes are particularly bold. Having people nearby during the feeding process does not affect their eating. Like other snakes, they also have the habit of staying still after eating. During this time, do not disturb them excessively, as it may cause them to regurgitate the food in their stomach, which will delay the next feeding and hinder their growth. Reduce the frequency of observation or decline entry for unfamiliar visitors to help the chameleon snake's development.
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