How did YOU get into chameleon keeping?

[Klyde O'Scope]

I wish I could have pioneered this hobby!

It may go back a lot longer than you think. Charles Darwin is reputed to have kept some of the species he discovered, but things go back much farther than that—mummified crocodiles have been found in Egyptian tombs.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Sight unseen and knowing nothing, said I’d take it.

Some people never learn.... but there's a special place in Heaven for them.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

alright ahem... prepare to be amazed... I was cutting the grass and in the middle of doing it I stopped and realized I wanted a side kick!

You got a chameleon to help you mow lawns ‽

 

[Thatcher]

You got a chameleon to help you mow lawns ‽

No no no no it was to cut the lawn for me come on now I'm not that dumb

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

No no no no it was to cut the lawn for me come on now I'm not that dumb

Are you sure? How's that working out for you?

 

[Thatcher]

Are you sure? How's that working out for you?

Hahahahahahaha

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

It may go back a lot longer than you think. Charles Darwin is reputed to have kept some of the species he discovered, but things go back much farther than that—mummified crocodiles have been found in Egyptian tombs.

This reminds me of the movie, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, whose ship's doctor was a contemporary of Darwin, and collected species from the Galápagos & environs.

Excellent historical military action movie.

 

[kinyonga]

This actually reminded me of my 4th grade teacher, who began a history lesson once with, "Back during the Civil War, when I was a girl...."

I've never forgotten it. She wasn't really that old (not like kinyonga ) and I ran into her 30 years later. Unfortunately, she didn't remember it (or me), but didn't doubt it either!

Geesh...that's all I can say!

 

[kinyonga]

No no no no it was to cut the lawn for me come on now I'm not that dumb

Don't you know you need goats to cut the lawn for you?

 

[Thatcher]

Don't you know you need goats to cut the lawn for you?

Any good goat breeders? Can they eat dubias?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Any good goat breeders? Can they eat dubias?

https://goatrancher.com/breeders-directory

IDK if it's a question of can they, but will they? They're allegedly strict herbivores.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-14940-6

 

[Fchamel]

My goodness, this is a funny thread! I had been wanting to get a chameleon for a while, and at the time it seemed like a good time to do it. But, research went wacky and spent way more money fixing than in the first place. But, it was SOOO worth it!!!!!!

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

My goodness, this is a funny thread! I had been wanting to get a chameleon for a while, and at the time it seemed like a good time to do it. But, research went wacky and spent way more money fixing than in the first place. But, it was SOOO worth it!!!!!!

IOW, "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

 

[Decadancin]

This is fun!!!

 

[kinyonga]

This is fun!!!

And you have no story to add to it?

 

[Decadancin]

And you have no story to add to it?

Oh, I will…

 

[kinyonga]

Well...lets go eh??

 

[Decadancin]

So, although the wheel was mostly perfected back when I was growing up, I do remember the first time I saw a couple chameleons in a local pet shop for the first time. I had quite a few pets at the time, but always dreamed of having an “ Old World” chameleon. They were not colorful, and I think they were Senegal Chameleons, but I’m not sure. I just stared at the two of them in their 5 gallon tank. I was in awe. I had seen all sorts of exotic lizards due to my best friend’s father’s collection, but these were unreal. I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to keep them. I visited that store for months until one day they were gone.

Fast forward to the time of Google and self driving cars and I had a 20 gallon long terrarium that I wanted to add some small lizards to. Long story even longer… I spotted a tiny veiled chameleon stressed out by a larger one at the local pet store. I just knew I had to do something. So, I “rescued” the little guy. I found the Chameleon Forums soon after and the legend of Zaphod was born . Within a day of reading threads here and one new thread about my new boy, the rest is history.

I know this, I am addicted to these amazing animals, and yes, the Chameleon Forums …

 

[kinyonga]

Well...it was a story worth waiting for!

 

[Ambilobe123]

All right… here’s my story.

Ever since I was little, I loved reptiles and birds. Unfortunately for me, my mom hated birds and my dad hated reptiles.

Fast forward to middle school. I meet the outdoor Ed teacher, who just happens to be a panther breeder, with experience in leopard geckos, tarantulas, melleri, carpet chams, and I don’t even know what else. He brings a 3-week-old cham to school one day, and I’m in love.

So here I am, looking for an opportunity.

This comes in the form of a work trip for my dad. A week in China. Perfect, younger me thinks, the only thing stopping me from getting a cham is on the other side of the globe.

I talk to my mom, tell her how I’ll keep my room clean.

The day after dad leaves, I go to the teacher. After a bit of conversation, he lets me take a little cham home for the day. My mom immediately falls in love with the lil guy, and it is determined that he stays. I bring him back the next day, and make arrangements to keep him.

Fast forward a year

Leo is doing well, dad is accepting that we now have a family reptile. I have successfully proven that
a) I can take care of a chameleon
b) said chameleon does not, in fact, stink
c) my room is much cleaner, and I am happier with a chameleon

So, being really careful, I ask, stressing how I’ll keep my room
clean.

Dad says fine

Next week I meet my teacher and take home a female cham, as he is downsizing.

Seven months later, here I am with 14 baby chams, 2 adults, five frogs, a toad, a cockatiel, and a tiger salamander.

My room is now the cleanest it has ever been.