Sucks...
- Thread starter Rottsko
- Start date
Trace
Captain Awesome
I'm the party pooper.
I'm not sure if this has been brought up, but caring for a chameleon plus their insects can be incredibly time consuming each and every day. You are going to have to ask yourself, with three little ones, do you really have the time for this type of pet.
I'm not sure if this has been brought up, but caring for a chameleon plus their insects can be incredibly time consuming each and every day. You are going to have to ask yourself, with three little ones, do you really have the time for this type of pet.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
It is right that it is up to the individual parent.
My kids were around lizards since day 1 and allowed to touch since they were toddlers. We had a house iguana in those days that had been with me since I was a teen- about 14 lbs and super tame and housebroken so it roamed loose in our home. The kids treated it probably like most toddlers treat the family dog or cat, and it was great with them (had a lot of patience with those kids!).
Each situation is different. Different families have different levels of immune system function and cleanliness and my kids never put toys and things in their mouths- they just weren't like that. I think in a family where there is already a weak immune system (think kids with asthma or heavy allergies or just sickly) and where kids put stuff in their mouths constantly or where the parents don't clean a lot and wash hands often- probably not a great idea.
Kids in our local community got salmonella after a yearly turtle race at the library (they collect their own turtles, race them and release them- probably not the best idea but we are rural and there are loads of turtles in our area so it could be worse).
Although I breed and sell lizards, I would never push the issue with someone who was uncomfortable about salmonella around the kids. It is true that it is highly unlikely to happen- but then again, wouldn't we feel horrible if we pushed the issue here on the forums and a baby ended up hospitalized because a parent cleaned the lizard cage and didn't wash their hands properly afterwards before handling baby and the chameleon happened to be shedding salmonella? Or tiny specs of contaminated poop dropped to the carpet while a bag was being carried to the trash after a cleaning and a toddler came along crawling on the carpet and picked up a toy and put the their hands with tiny particles still clinging in their mouth along with the toy and ended up very sick? Or bits of dust contaminated with salmonella during cage cleaning got on the parent's shirt and then they held the baby later on?
All that said- you have more chance getting salmonella from meat or fish or eggs these days than you do from your lizard...
edit-- It's sort of funny but after years and years of being around lizards I find I am very obsessive about washing my hands after touching any animal. Dogs and cats can carry salmonella plus other nasties that reptiles don't carry.
My kids were around lizards since day 1 and allowed to touch since they were toddlers. We had a house iguana in those days that had been with me since I was a teen- about 14 lbs and super tame and housebroken so it roamed loose in our home. The kids treated it probably like most toddlers treat the family dog or cat, and it was great with them (had a lot of patience with those kids!).
Each situation is different. Different families have different levels of immune system function and cleanliness and my kids never put toys and things in their mouths- they just weren't like that. I think in a family where there is already a weak immune system (think kids with asthma or heavy allergies or just sickly) and where kids put stuff in their mouths constantly or where the parents don't clean a lot and wash hands often- probably not a great idea.
Kids in our local community got salmonella after a yearly turtle race at the library (they collect their own turtles, race them and release them- probably not the best idea but we are rural and there are loads of turtles in our area so it could be worse).
Although I breed and sell lizards, I would never push the issue with someone who was uncomfortable about salmonella around the kids. It is true that it is highly unlikely to happen- but then again, wouldn't we feel horrible if we pushed the issue here on the forums and a baby ended up hospitalized because a parent cleaned the lizard cage and didn't wash their hands properly afterwards before handling baby and the chameleon happened to be shedding salmonella? Or tiny specs of contaminated poop dropped to the carpet while a bag was being carried to the trash after a cleaning and a toddler came along crawling on the carpet and picked up a toy and put the their hands with tiny particles still clinging in their mouth along with the toy and ended up very sick? Or bits of dust contaminated with salmonella during cage cleaning got on the parent's shirt and then they held the baby later on?
All that said- you have more chance getting salmonella from meat or fish or eggs these days than you do from your lizard...
edit-- It's sort of funny but after years and years of being around lizards I find I am very obsessive about washing my hands after touching any animal. Dogs and cats can carry salmonella plus other nasties that reptiles don't carry.
Last edited:
fluxlizard
Avid Member
That's an ok assumption when considering yourself, but to assume it for "everyone else" is a dangerous assumption to make. Not everyone has the same immune system or the same lizard...
Killjoy
New Member
You can get it done, i work about 11 hours a day. I have three kids and one on the way. I have my enclosure running great, clean and found that once you get in the routine, its not a problem at all. i have two chams and a bearded dragon. The kids love em and i still find enough time to hang out with the fam and care for the pets. Good luck, you will find that 1 chameleon wont be enough to satisfy your hobby
they are super addicting.
pssh
Avid Member
Oh, just thought I'd add, I would be more afraid of what your kids may pick up from being outsideand playing on the ground. If you live in an area with even just a few racoons, they may be very likely to pick up a parasite that can make your children permanentely brain damaged. The icky parasites are even able to stay alive 5-6 years after the raccoon had pooped them out, so they could be anywhere! Only a teeny weeny bit of poop can have thousands and thousands of the parasite.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sigh, looks like life in general is a risky business. Ah I feel a soapbox moment emerging:
You can either live with a bottle of bleach around your neck, never go outdoors, and scour your house until nothing can survive inside, or you can focus on keeping yourself strong and meet whatever comes down the pike with an open mind, common sense and some courage. Frankly, the American obsession with killing every germ has gone a bit over the brink IMHO. Would I want to create kids terrified of every natural object that can't be wiped down with Lysol? No. Do I want to create immune systems that are never tested or strengthened? Bad idea. Do I lie awake wondering what new bacteria my dog tracks in from the wilds? Hopefully not. Do I insist that life be perfectly safe, that everything I come in contact with can't hurt me or threaten my way of life? No...besides that sounds pretty boring. Do I hang on every new fear-mongering media PSA on the dangers of air, water, food, drugs, behavior, government, crime, my neighbors, pets, clothing, chemicals, and all the rest of the planet? Gawd I hope not...there would be no time to live!
Sorry, off soapbox now.
Rottsko
Avid Member
thanks for everyone's input. after much thought, my wife and i decided now is just not the right time. i think when our littles are a little older, we'll explore chameleons all over again. i think these are one of the coolest pets you can have and i've had a lot of pets throughout my life. thanks again for everyones input.
