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[schendricks]

Hello everyone,

My name is Hendricks. I'm a philosophy student and twenty-two years old. When I was fourteen, I became highly interested in chameleons, found Kathie Kaiwi's Chameleon Journals web site and list server, and spent the next two years obsessively reading the posts and everything else I could find on the subject. My research eventually convinced me that I had neither the time nor the resources to care for such a sensitive and particular animal. I've never been able to shake my fascination with chameleons or my desire to keep and perhaps breed them, so I've periodically fueled my interest online and with books ever since.

I've finally decided to start saving the ~$1,000 I figure I'll need to fully prepare for a young male F. pardalis. My car needs a new transmission first, so I'm looking about a year into the future. In the meantime, I plan to continue my research. I feel that I have a fairly decent book-knowledge grasp on the ins and outs of the husbandry aspect, including the breeding of my own silkworms, superworms, and Dubia roaches as staple feeders.

It's been a while since I've frequented the online chameleon world. After lurking here for a few days, I just registered. Glad to have found this community! I hope to learn a lot here and eventually have the experience to contribute myself.

Sincerely,
S. Hendricks

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi there, welcome to the Forum!!! I think you're really going to enjoy it here

 

[Red Island]

That's quite a chameleon to start with, I would start off with a less expensive chameleon first. You can read all you want, there's nothing like experience.

 

[Julirs]

That's quite a chameleon to start with, I would start off with a less expensive chameleon first. You can read all you want, there's nothing like experience.

Panthers are not all that expensive-and certainly not a bad starter chameleon.

Sounds like you have been planning this for a long time-and $300-$400 dollars will get you very decently set up.

Welcome-this is a great place to be for the chameleon obsessed!

 

[schendricks]

Thanks to each of your for the warm welcome!

Well, my expendable cash flow being what it is, I feel that I should be as financially prepared for "surprises" as I can be, before bringing one of these guys home. While I don't expect to drop more than $150-$250 on the animal himself, it's likely I'll mail order. So there's shipping. Then starting from scratch, there are the enclosure, plants, lighting and watering systems with timers, thermo/hydrometer, UV meter, supplements and mail-ordered feeders, as well as a digital scale to track the cham's growth and an emergency veterinary fund. I expect those items, in addition to the supplies for three feeder insect colonies I plan to at least be in the process of establishing beforehand, to cost me at least around $1,000. I haven't thoroughly itemized and price checked, and I know many keepers probably get away with less, but I've never owned a reptile before and personally wouldn't feel comfortable without these things.

I plan to post an exact itemization in the future for those of you with experience to critique before I get the ball rolling.

Thanks again! I can't wait to begin this adventure with your help and share it with you, but I will

Sincerely,

S. Hendricks

 

[sandrachameleon]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it as useful as I do!

 

[Cjd713]

Welcome to the forums! As Julirs said, this is the place for the cham obsessed (i.e. ME!) This is a great place to learn and communicate, and if you ever have any problems, just ask us! Good Luck with your cham!