How to catch wild chameleons in Florida

Summary: Gabriel Reck, known as gabrielist22, presents a 10-minute vlog documenting a nighttime search for wild veiled chameleons in South Florida. Filmed from his car and on foot along a private road near LaBelle, the video combines practical tips with real-time exploration. Reck introduces the iNaturalist app as a tool to locate chameleon sightings, showing how to use its "Explore" feature to map confirmed observations (e.g., blue circles indicating sightings near Miami, Fort Myers, and Naples). He explains that these invasive chameleons, descended from pet populations, thrive in specific rural areas and are easiest to spot at night when they turn light green or yellow and sleep in trees.
Key Moments: Reck finds 15 chameleons in under 30 minutes, narrating their discovery with a flashlight—highlighting a snake, small females, and vibrant males with features like helmets and blue/yellow morphs. He demonstrates techniques like using a stick to gently retrieve them from thorny vegetation, noting their temperature-driven gender ratio (males dominant due to lower incubation heat). Visuals include chameleons on branches, a car visor, and close-ups of their colors (blue, yellow, green).
Themes: Wildlife, invasive species, nature exploration, DIY adventure, South Florida ecology.
Keywords: chameleons, veiled chameleons, South Florida, iNaturalist, nighttime hunting, wildlife spotting, invasive pets, gender determination, LaBelle, flashlight tutorial.
Additional Context: Reck avoids revealing his exact spot to protect the population, emphasizing ethical observation over capture. The vlog ends with a call for likes and comments, promising more adventure/travel content. Recorded in cool weather (low 60s°F), affecting chameleon behavior.
Technical Notes: Filmed casually from a car and on foot; includes ambient sounds (e.g., cows) and spontaneous narration.
Creator: Gabriel Reck (aliases: gabrielist22, Gabriel)
Upload Date: [Exact date TBD; circa early 2025 based on context]
Duration: 10 minutes
Location: South Florida (specific street undisclosed, near LaBelle, with references to Miami, Fort Myers, and Naples)
Content Type: Vlog, wildlife tutorial, adventure




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