Being Camilla: The Everyday Leisure Life of a Captive Chameleon

Wilkinson, Samantha (2018) Being Camilla: The Everyday Leisure Life of a Captive Chameleon. In: Wild Animals and Leisure: Rights and Wellbeing. Routledge. ISBN 9781138209282

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the everyday leisure and labour life of a captive chameleon, Camilla. This is important because the leisure and labour experiences of individual animals have been neglected somewhat in the existing literature, with attention instead placed on collectivities, such as species or herds. This chapter draws on data from the use of innovative qualitative methods: video-elicitation focus groups, and auto-ethnography / egomorphism. As leisure activities are often self/ego focussed, I argue that egomorphism may be an appropriate lens through which to gain insight into human / animal leisure experiences. This chapter concludes with the contention that human leisure should be conceptualised as facilitated by Camilla’s labour of presenting herself, and performing, for the human gaze, day after day.