The slippery slope of Cham ownership...

[clarkrw3]

So I have gone off the deep end. Okay, I have said it! It all starts so simply. You want to get a Chameleon. In my case it was CNorton that reminded me how much I have always LOVED chameleons and how much I always wanted to have one. With his information, enthusiasm and finding Chameleon Forums, Chameleon News...the list goes on, the education process was under way. Hours spent on the computer doing research...I love learning and researching new topics. So you find out what you NEED to be a good cham keeper, what will make them happy and you buy and plan and create a home for them. Then comes finding a breeder you want to get one from and what type and..... Well you all know.

But you draw lines in the sand. Things you aren't willing to do. Things that just seem way over the top and well it's just a lizard after all. Then you start slipping. For some that's when they buy the mistking. For me, I noticed I was starting to slip down the cham slope when I got a Dubia colony. I mean I am growing roaches in my house (or shall I call them Dubia beetles as they are known in my house ) and shortly after adding another species of roach.

Then you start going faster down that slope. Start building outdoor cages, planting plants not just for your cham but for their feeders. You start going down stairs after the wife goes to bed and turning down the AC so your cham gets a better night time temp drop After forgetting to turn it back up a few time you find out you have to figure something else out to keep the peace.

So today was the next progression on that ever popular slippery slope. I spent my lunch going to Lowes and buying a window AC unit so that I can get those 68deg nights. While looking around at other cham "safe" plants I noticed a backyard mister system. Being that it is hotter then...well you know... in AZ and I was already putting together an outdoor basking area close to the patio what could be better then cooling it down and adding humidity? Then of course there is the tree Hibiscus and lastly to swing by the park and pick Mulberry leaves for the silkworms.

So there you have it I have taken the dive. When did you KNOW you were going down the slope??

 

[suzi]

The dive makes a huge splash doesn't it though lmao!
When I turned my dining room to a lizard lounge, living room, part of the bedroom... Shall I continue?

 

[Dez]

Oh my gosh! It's almost like you are quoting my life.
My husband is just as addicted as I am. Our lives revolve around the Chameleons .

 

[clarkrw3]

Oh my gosh! It's almost like you are quoting my life.
My husband is just as addicted as I am. Our lives revolve around the Chameleons .

Yes, I was reading an article in chameleon news last night from Ed Kammer talking about how they got going in chameleons and it seemed the fatal flaw was they both were into it equally with no one to keep them in check.
My wife keeps me in check and I would have a room full by now if I didn't have to beg so much for each one. I think she is coming around because she has started txting me during the day as to how its going thus checking in on them throughout the day and posting pictures of chams on facebook

 

[suzi]

Yes, I was reading an article in chameleon news last night from Ed Kammer talking about how they got going in chameleons and it seemed the fatal flaw was they both were into it equally with no one to keep them in check.
My wife keeps me in check and I would have a room full by now if I didn't have to beg so much for each one. I think she is coming around because she has started txting me during the day as to how its going thus checking in on them throughout the day and posting pictures of chams on facebook

I knew I didn't have my husband to "keep me in check" anymore when he helped me turn the dining room to the lizard lounge it's all over now... There is no stopping me now!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Only thing holding most of us back is lack of space & lack of more funds. lol

 

[suzi]

Only thing holding most of us back is lack of space & lack of more funds. lol

Couldn't agree more! My mental wish list is.... Huge tropical house with large cash flow

 

[Sodbuster]

Now that you mention it, for me it would have to be yesterday when I gave away my couch to make room for another cham in my appartment. Who needs to sit and watch tv anyways.

 

[Silkyslim]

Now that you mention it, for me it would have to be yesterday when I gave away my couch to make room for another cham in my appartment. Who needs to sit and watch tv anyways.

Ive not watched much TV since I got my chams, been watching them. My PS3 still gets a work out though, not much to do at night when the chams are asleep except check out which PJs they are wearing that night.

 

[Dez]

Yes, I was reading an article in chameleon news last night from Ed Kammer talking about how they got going in chameleons and it seemed the fatal flaw was they both were into it equally with no one to keep them in check.

Your right about that! Our addiction is spinning out of control!

Chameleons Anonymous anyone?

 

[hbskeet]

It started with rats. I use to breed fancy rats when I was a teen. My mom never let me have any reptiles in the house. When I first moved out I rented a townhouse w a couple friends. I finally got my first chams. They were a pair of Jacksons that my uncle gave me. They were already pretty old and ended up dying of old age. Then I saw a Pygmy a local pet shopin England when I was in the Marines. Never knew what they were and had to find a pair when I got back to the states. One day there were eggs. So I got an incubator. And the rest is history. Now I breed the little guys. Once I have my own place the Panthers will be my next project. I also have a breeding pair of Kenyan Sand Boas. I can't slow down!!! The hills too steep!!! LOL!!

 

[jeb102385]

I know the feeling... I just got my carpet a few weeks ago. Today I ordered a mistking and tomorrow I'm packing up a tank to put pygmys in. And on top of that I'm on a waiting list for a female carpet and 5 of the pygmys. I must be addicted!

 

[Ace]

i took the dive when i was 8 with my first cham, she was a jacksons and very sweet and outgoing

im am lucky enough to be very limited with space and funds and currently owning two panthers

hoping for A LOT more, and into other species the first being mellers

i think i have room for about 2-3 more chams

but i'll probably say that everytime i take out a dresser, tv, change my bed to the floor

 

[alexbrock]

i took the dive when i was 8 with my first cham, she was a jacksons and very sweet and outgoing

im am lucky enough to be very limited with space and funds and currently owning two panthers

hoping for A LOT more, and into other species the first being mellers

i think i have room for about 2-3 more chams

but i'll probably say that everytime i take out a dresser, tv, change my bed to the floor

call the 1-800 hotline:

1-800-CHAM-ADD

you can purchase chameleons over the phone, or talk to a guy across the world about your problem...

 

[sandrachameleon]

The moment I started sleeping in the basement so my lizards could have both the bedrooms, I think that was when I realized I'd gone a little too far down the slope of no return

 

[laurie]

I keep justifying getting more chams by telling my husband how sad I am that my sister wanted xxx cham so I gave it to her and then buying xxx to replace it. You would not believe how many of my chams my greedy sister has taken! And he keeps buying that excuse.

 

[clarkrw3]

So you know that "kept in check by wife thing" WELL I think that is over. Not because she has become attached to the chams, tolerant would be more accurate. BUT she has found an addiction, with my help, Cresties!!! I knew it was all over when "her" crestie became her FB profile picture today

 

[imcurt]

So you know that "kept in check by wife thing" WELL I think that is over. Not because she has become attached to the chams, tolerant would be more accurate. BUT she has found an addiction, with my help, Cresties!!! I knew it was all over when "her" crestie became her FB profile picture today

My wife thought i was nuts as well. Then she saw all my baby Veilds. And when I sold the very last one she got sorta sad. Then came my first Panther. Oh and a girl of corse. Now its a room full and my wife loves to play with our website.. Its great to have a hobbie to share with my wife. My other hobbie is my 340 dart swinger (go mopar) Im fairly sure shes terrifed of it since she wont ride in it.

 

[ataraxia]

i knew i was sledding down the hill when 200 feet of rope wasnt enough to do all my chameleon cages.

i knew my sled was catching fire from the shear speed i am traveling at when my cars will have to sit outside his winter. im running out of room so this year im going to have to move everything into the garage.

please pray for me and my addiction. i dont want to build a second garage!

 

[reptoman]

So you know that "kept in check by wife thing" WELL I think that is over. Not because she has become attached to the chams, tolerant would be more accurate. BUT she has found an addiction, with my help, Cresties!!! I knew it was all over when "her" crestie became her FB profile picture today

I got my wife to hold a carrot tail leopard gecko a couple of months ago and now she is hooked and dreaming of new morphs. What used to be our guest room now has a small gecko corner (her area) amongst the 15 or so screen cages...... I have not had any recent comments about what we will do if people come from out of town, but I do have to keep the poop out of the gecko shed boxes or I will not hear the end of it. Small price to pay.