Evening star., 1947-08-27
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace1oeH.
IS. CAPITOL STREET.


Dear Sir:
"Our black snail which we have had for
about year in our ordinary goldfish bowl, has
during the past week presented us with seven
tiny babies OF varying sizes.
Last night the smallest goldfish died-T
suspect of the heat and overeating. What to
do now Should we add salt to the water, or
can we change the water completely? Is there
anything special to do for the babies? Are
snails bisexual? Sincerely, M. B."
X II II x
DARLINGTON, Va.
Dear Sir:
Some time ago my little boy was given a
chameleon, which he kept in a screened box,
under tree in the yard
"He fed 1t on insects, mostly flies, and gave
him water. After about two weeks, the chame-
leon escaped and because of his coloring we
could net find him.
Now, after four-week absence, we found
him again on the front steps, and my little boy
would like to keep him.
MY first suggestion was to turn him free
again. but the thought of wintertime coming
on when insects are scarce, has caused me to
wonder If he could survive if we freed him.
Can you give us an idea of how to keep
hm-wnat best to cage him in, what to feed
him when insects are not available and is he
better off with us or should we leHhim go?
''Our encyclopedia has failed to give us needed
information. Sincerely, w. A."
Salt in aquarium water will kill all snails, re-
gardless of size.
If fishes are to be given the salt treatment,
snails should first be removed.
In the case under consideration, about half
of the aquarium water should be changed.
This is done by taking the required amount
of tap water and allowing it to stand over
night
This permits it to become the exact tempera-
~, ND of fIoa iroo
permits the chlorine gas to escape.
If half the water is syphoned of, and then
this new water added there will be more oxygen
for the fishes.
Snails are not so particular about the oxygen
content Of the water; they get along very well
in most tanks, but whenever they cluster up
near the surface-and remain there-t shows
that they, too, need fresh water.
Some snails are bisexual, others are not;
some species are fertile for life, and will 60 on
producing by themselves.
4 u
Chameleons do. best in a terrarium, easily
made from rectangular fish aquarium. 1t Is
provided with sandy bed some stones, and
branches for them to climb on. cover lid OF
glass or screening must be provided.
During hot weather it is best kept in the
shade, with some provision for sunshine in
the morning and late afternoon.
Meal worms. reaches, flies and other live
insects may pe given, put tneSe creatures Will
live on condensed milk diluted with water
or even just Sweetened water.
There are two ways of giving these liquid
foods, either by medicine dropper, or by
sprinkling them on the plants and the quarters
generally, or even on the back of the cham
eleon.
The chameleon will go for weeks without
food If kept on the cool side, but the moment
he becomes warm he wants and needs food
We imagine scraped beef, or tiny bits Of
fresh liver, would be taken easily enough by
these odd creatures.
Liver would provide both food and drink
and also give the little lizard some appreciable
amounts of minerals and vitamins.
The terrarium is most interesting. Enthusi-
asts say it is more fun than keeping an aqua
rum. One neat touch Is the tiny pool, made
with a mirror at the bottom.
Some terrarium inmates refuse to recognize
water unless they can see good reflection In
I'll