This Baby Chameleon Is Only Seconds-Old And Still Thinks He’s Inside His Egg
Canvas Chameleons in Reading, Pennsylvania is a family-owned reptile store and breeder that focuses on healthy development of chameleons and other reptiles as pets. Nick Henn, the owner of the pet shop, has been breeding and raising chameleons since he established the breeding business in 2013. His favorite species, the panther chameleon, is typically found in Madagascar in tropical forest biome. Enamored with the mesmerizing colors and patterns that look like stunning brush of strokes on a canvas, the business derived its name after this particular species.
According to Henn, panther chameleon eggs usually grow in their shells for 7 – 8 months. When it’s time to hatch, the hatchling uses its egg tooth on its upper jaw to peck the shell pieces out. Once the end of the egg near its head is pipped, the baby chameleon starts wiggling its head to emerge from the egg.
Unfortunately, this particular hatchling pipped the side of his egg, making it more difficult for him to come out. And if a hatchling couldn’t break free from its egg once it’s pipped, it dies.
Since the baby chameleon couldn’t break through on his own, Henn decided to help out him out by delicately cutting away the shell using cuticle clippers. After the shell has been completely removed, Henn was amazed to see the newborn panther chameleon still curled up in position as he was inside the egg.