ScienceNatureEducation

Chameleon Academy Podcast

Bill Strand

Hosted 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!

Play

Open in

20 episodes
Avg 24 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

S11 · E2
March 16 · 20 min
Should You Get a Parson's Chameleon?
Have you ever thought about keeping a Parson's Chameleon? As exciting as the thought of that is, you are right to think twice. Today I am going to walk you through an introduction that will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to pursue a Parson's Chameleon
S11 · E1
February 2 · 21 min
A Chameleon's Tolerance Zone
Ideal chameleon husbandry is a direction, not a destination. Just because our chameleon is alive, doesn't mean we can stop growing in how to improve our husbandry. In this first episode of season 11, Bill Strand lays out the concept of the tolerance zone and how understanding it can make us better keepers of chameleons.
S10 · E18
Nov 7, 2025 · 30 min
The Path Through Learning about Chameleons
What actually matters when you're starting with chameleons? Not the nice-to-know stuff, but the fundamentals that determine whether you succeed or struggle. In this episode, I walk you through the six core priorities that will carry you through your first year, from setting up your cage before your chameleon arrives to finding an exotic vet NOW (not during an emergency). I'll also cover the most common beginning mistakes—the ones that cost you money, stress, and sometimes your chameleon's health. Things like bringing your chameleon home before the cage is ready, cutting corners on equipment to save money upfront, or adding too many chameleons too fast because the collector bug bites hard. This is Part 2 of our Stage 1 exploration. Whether you're brand new or mentoring beginners, this episode gives you the practical framework for navigating the learning stage successfully. Learn. Understand. Pass It On.
S10 · E17
Nov 1, 2025 · 41 min
The Challenge of Learning About Chameleons
Starting with chameleons has never been more overwhelming. You're drowning in contradictory advice from social media, TikTok, and now AI—all delivered with equal confidence. How do you know who to trust when the beginner sounds more authoritative than the expert? In this episode, Bill explores why the beginner experience feels so chaotic in 2025, introduces the "information firehose problem," and gives you explicit permission to NOT understand everything right away. This is Part 1 of a two-part series on the start of the Chameleon Keeper's Journey. If you're feeling lost, confused, or like you're doing something wrong—this episode is for you.
S10 · E16
Oct 24, 2025 · 31 min
The Chameleon Keeper's Journey
Every chameleon keeper moves through three stages: learning the fundamentals, understanding your unique path, and eventually passing knowledge forward to others. In this episode, I map the entire chameleon keeper's journey—from the panic of keeping your first chameleon alive, through the exploration of finding your own approach, to the fulfillment of giving back to the community. If you are interested in joining the December 6 hour live marathon season finale, check out the Chameleon Academy Live Youtube channel!
S10 · E15
Sep 15, 2025 · 15 min
Feeding Mini-Chameleons
Small Chameleons eat small food! Today we take a look at some of the unexpected challenges of feeding mini-chameleons!
S10 · E14
Sep 9, 2025 · 11 min
Lighting Mini Chameleons
Dr. Michael Nash speaks to us about the challenges setting up the lighting for Mini-chameleons!
S10 · E12
Sep 1, 2025 · 15 min
Hydrating Mini Chameleons
Dr. Michael Nash is back on the Mini Chameleon Podcast with some essential discussion on keeping your mini chameleons properly hydrated! He shares his extensive keeping and breeding husbandry to ensure even the smallest chameleons receive the best care.
S10 · E11
Aug 27, 2025 · 33 min
Mini-Chameleon Podcast host, Dr. Michael Nash
Bill Strand introduces Dr. Michael Nash to discuss the launch of the Mini Chameleon Podcast! Hear about their excitement for the new show and what listeners can anticipate from future episodes.
S10 · E10
Aug 25, 2025 · 14 min
Enclosures for Mini-Chameleons
Join Dr. Michael Nash as he talks about enclosures for for mini-chameleons!
S10 · E9
Aug 20, 2025 · 29 min
The Bifidus Chameleon Breeding Project
A number of Chameleon Academy memerbs are starting a fun project with a rare chamleeon species from Madagascar, Furcifer bifidus. Listen in on how we are structuring this breeding project.
S10 · E8
Aug 18, 2025 · 13 min
Introduction to Mini-Chameleons
Welcome to thie new miniseries on the smaller species in the chameleon world. From the carpet and jewelled chameleons to the smallest Calummas and Brookesia and, of course, babies of any species, this new mini series delves into the specific husbandry needed by the smallest members. This show is hosted by Dr. Michael Nash who has extensive experience with these mini-chameleons.
S10 · E7
Jun 9, 2025 · 31 min
Pitfalls of Copying Nature
The natural world holds the answers as to how we should care for our chameleons. But those answers are mixed in with dead ends and wrong turns. So we need to be smart as to how we recreate natural conditions. This is a thoughtful conversation about building environments that are nurturing for our chameleons.
S10 · E6
Jun 2, 2025 · 27 min
Chameleons as Pets - what's it like?
This episode shares what having a pet chameleon is really like and gives you important things to think about before bringing one home. But it also talks about the unexpected ways you are changed after being a keeper for a while!
S10 · E5
May 23, 2025 · 29 min
Your Chameleon North Star
Your North Star is your personal guiding principle. It isn't a place you end up, it's a direction you go in. In chameleon husbandry, this means identifying what you care about most. Is it replicating nature? Ensuring efficiency? Prioritizing survival rates for breeding? When you know your North Star, it becomes much easier to filter through the noise of online forums and social media. You stop chasing every new trend or feeling like you have to defend your decisions in every debate. Instead, you build a husbandry strategy that aligns with your values and stick to it.
S10 · E4
Feb 22, 2025 · 24 min
Five Commandments of Raising Chameleon Hatchlings
There is a lot to take in when you are planning to care for hatchling chameleons! I give you the five commandments that will get you started on a solid foundation!
S10 · E3
Feb 14, 2025 · 26 min
Cage Size For Hatchling Chameleons
What size cage should we use for chameleon hatchlings? As we evaluate our husbandry to provide an enriching life for our chameleons we need to start at how we care for them from day 1. I talk about how we should be starting off our chameleons from the moment they leave the egg.
S10 · E2
Feb 6, 2025 · 18 min
Where to see wild chameleons
Do you think it would be cool to see chameleons in the wild? In this podcast episode I talk about my top picks to see wild chameleons!
S10 · E1
Jan 31, 2025 · 17 min
How to use wild data in reptile husbandry
We need to go back to the wild source if we want to move our captive husbandry forward. But there are cautions and dangers in doing so that we need to avoid. Freshly back from Madagascar, I discuss how important wild environmental data is, the dangers in misusing it, and how to change our captive husbandry properly.
S9 · E15
Sep 25, 2024 · 29 min
Beginner's Guide to Fighting Reptile Parasites
We all know parasites are an issue with our captive reptiles, but not all of us have a microscope or would know what to do with one if we did. Today I am going to give you the bare bones, high level introduction to parasites that requires no previous knowledge, but will make you highly effective in fighting the parasites that want to move in on your reptile.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes