Hello! When am I no longer a beginner?

[darwin22]

Hi, I'm thinking about getting a chameleon when I have finished college, an animal based one. That will be in 2016 but I want to be ready! I have loved herps since I was about 8 and I have always been reading about them but I have found my two true loves, tree frogs and chameleons. My first question is, when is it a good time to get a chameleon? In all books, websites and forums it says chameleons are not beginner reptiles. So when can I call my self experienced? I have read just about every book on the subject and gone to talks on them and handled them. I'm just scared I think myself experienced and then end up hurting the poor creature. My course is practical meaning I work with many reptiles every week but unfortunately no chameleons. I will be specialising next year before I even get my jewel so will I be experienced enough? Should I get a beardie (which I love but not adore like chameleons and tree frogs) before going to the deep end? Its just beardies have a very different environment to most chameleons. Okay that was way more than one question but I need to know because I do not wish to harm these wonderful creatures! Thank you and sorry for such a long message.

 

[FlChamMom]

My first reptile ever was a chameleon. The "not a beginner" tag is true in the sense that they have specific requirements, but if you do plenty of research you will be fine. This is a great place with a lot of experienced keepers to guide you through the process. Once you get one you'll be hooked. They are truly fascinating little creatures!

 

[darwin22]

Thanks

Thank you, I'm glad I'm not doing a bad thing going straight to chameleons and I have a year of happy planning and research ahead of me!

 

[FlChamMom]

I would also consider getting an juvenile cham (5-8 months) as your first. They are usually advertised as "holdbacks". At that point they are eating full-sized feeders and are a little hardier. Also, you'll have better luck with a private breeder rather than a pet store.

 

[laurie]

You are not a beginner, because true beginner's jump in knowing nothing. You are getting ready and will know what you are doing. That and paying attention to all the little details we make you a great keeper.

Start be reading all the care resources shown on the left of the screen. Lots of wonderful knowledge.

Oh! I forgot - Welcome.

 

[xraygirl]

My first panther was my first chameleon, first reptile. I got on this forum any second I had to spare and I read everything I could. Literally, every new thread that came up, I read. Because while someone might just post a picture of their chameleon, a 'experienced' keeper might come by and see something that your eye doesn't see. I didn't go by any books or what pet stores said.... I've even run into "breeders" who said I don't use D3 calcium enough and that I needed to use it everyday

So, I just got my second panther. However, I took my time to read all that I could, from common health issues (MBD signs, URI's, burns, fungal infections, mouth rot, etc), to husbandry issues, gutloading my feeders, raising my own dubia colony to help save money, buying a WIDE variety of feeders to keep my boys happy. Going by suggestions of products (like using Sticky Tongue Farms supplements instead of the Exo-Terra stuff, or using Repashy products, etc) Seems like folks who are new the the hobby get a cham and a month later go out and buy more, and then start breeding, then run into multiple issues.

I don't know when you can not call yourself a newbie, because we all learn new things everyday, I would just call it by experience..... and the folks who are the 'Gods' on this forum, are "THE" experienced ones. I was scared to death when I first got Chief home, but it's more of learning a routine to keep him happy and healthy..... Which, I have it all down to a science in the mornings when I'm getting ready for work, and during the week what other things I need to do (get feeders, gutload, clean bins and cages, etc)

But since you are taking your time, I encourage you to go through all the threads that you can find, especially in the 'general' area and the health section.

I think my post rambled and went all over the place, but I only had 3 hours of sleep and got ran like crazy at work today, lol