A formal introduction!

[leid]

I've been posting in the health clinic mainly, but I didn't realize there was a place to introduce yourself until this morning!

My name is Tara and I'm a fairly new herp enthusiast. I'm a pre-med student living in Kansas City and about a year away from medical school. This past year for my honors biology research class I have participated in a study of lizards in the genus Ameiva from Hispaniola for SSD (Sexual size dimorphism) with my mentor who has been studying lizards and publishing articles for 20 years! At first I was a little apprehensive, knowing nothing about lizards (I was previously, and still am, into cute and furry things. ) But his influence has made me very interested in herps as well!

Several weeks ago I purchased my first chameleon, and only later did I read that a chameleon as a first herp is a bad idea. So I did everything I possibly could to educate myself, and while researching, I found this forum! Fred came to us with a severe vitamin deficiency, but a vet visit, research and the applied time to keep him nourished and hydrated has proved well, and he is happy as ever now!

I look forward to chatting with you guys, and its a pleasure to meet all the people who gave me good advice about Fred when I initially joined.

 

[leid]

Oh, here are some photos of Fred taken last night

 

[blackbetty]

Welcome Tara and Fred!

 

[reptimom]

Tara, welcome to the addiction!! This is a great site - with alot of very informed cham owners that are always willing to help!

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!
Fred looks quite healthy!
I've been keeping chameleons for over 20 years and other lizards even before that. (I still have my original group of 1.2 leopard geckos that I got as sub-adults in 1993...and they are still doing well.)

 

[Jason4045]

Welcome to the forum Tara!

 

[Ricardo]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[leid]

kinyonga,

I saw leopard geckos in the same place I got Fred. They were really cute and I almost bought two of them. I didn't realize they lived so long! I was originally looking for Ameiva-type lizards to own, since I saw some people have them on youtube, but found Fred and couldn't resist taking him home.

When i was a kid I used to own turtles and newts. My turtles I had for 8 years before they grew so big we had to give them up. They went to a pet store for a display pond, so they were happy. In my mid-teens I bred betas and actually earned some money from it aside from it being a hobby.

Right now I have two rabbits as well: 1 GIANT calico french lop named Bernard, and a Belgian Hare named Apollo.

 

[leid]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[blackbetty]

kinyonga,

I saw leopard geckos in the same place I got Fred. They were really cute and I almost bought two of them. I didn't realize they lived so long! I was originally looking for Ameiva-type lizards to own, since I saw some people have them on youtube, but found Fred and couldn't resist taking him home.

When i was a kid I used to own turtles and newts. My turtles I had for 8 years before they grew so big we had to give them up. They went to a pet store for a display pond, so they were happy. In my mid-teens I bred betas and actually earned some money from it aside from it being a hobby.

Right now I have two rabbits as well: 1 GIANT calico french lop named Bernard, and a Belgian Hare named Apollo.

I have 3 bunnies! 2 Lops named Sam and Kujo and a Netherland Dwarf (mean little momma) named Millie.

 

[leid]

I originally bought bernard for Hank (my husband) but I fell in love with him too, so Hank brought home Apollo for me. They bonded really well and live in the same cage. When they roam the house they follow each other. lol. its so cute. Netherland dwarfs are REALLY cute. I noticed dwarf ANYTHING have attitude problems though. ;p I had a dwarf hamster named peanut as a child that used to bite the crap out of me.

both of mine wear collars with bells on them, since they're fine exploring the house and don't poop anywhere except the litter box in the cage, but the bells let me know wth they are.

 

[laurie]

Hi Tara, welcome. i am only a few years into herps so still learning every day and this forum is a great place for learning. Enjoy your new chameleon, they are wonderful reptiles. I also have bearded dragons, uro's and dogs.
I lived in Blue Springs, Mo for a while many years ago.

 

[leid]

Hi Laurie,

pleased to meet you Ive only lived in Kansas for about five years. I moved here from Toronto Canada to study medicine and go to Avila University. I really love it though, and decided to stay several years ago!

Uromastyx is an interesting looking lizard. I hear they're really lax. My friend has two of them.

I like dogs, too! Can't have one at the moment, since we live in a townhome that only allows dogs no larger than 25 lbs, and I want a king German Shepperd. lol.

 

[blackbetty]

I originally bought bernard for Hank (my husband) but I fell in love with him too, so Hank brought home Apollo for me. They bonded really well and live in the same cage. When they roam the house they follow each other. lol. its so cute. Netherland dwarfs are REALLY cute. I noticed dwarf ANYTHING have attitude problems though. ;p I had a dwarf hamster named peanut as a child that used to bite the crap out of me.

both of mine wear collars with bells on them, since they're fine exploring the house and don't poop anywhere except the litter box in the cage, but the bells let me know wth they are.

Yep..Must be Napoleon Syndrome.. We have had her for over a year and she grunts if i touch her. LOL.. Ive had Sam for going on 5 years. I taught him Nuzzle..when I say Nuzzle, he comes over and rubs his nose on mine.. Kujo came to me as a rescue because his owner was moving and didnt want to take him.He actually gave me money to take him. He was mean at first and would attack my feet, but now is lovable. We've had him for about 8 months.. he is almost 4. They live in a 8x10 open pen downstairs with a 2 story cage that they have access to at all times.. Very spoiled. Cant have them in the house upstairs or my Great Dane would eat them. He likes to stare at them through their fencing...

I have 4 litter boxes but I still have to clean up. We took in a 1/2 flemish who sprayed (was rehomed due to aggression) and since then, the males will go wherever whenever... They are both neutered so that somewhat helps.

I used to run a rabbit rescue.. had anywhere from 15-20 at a time.. I even got the logo I used tattooed on my back..

 

[leid]

LOL I was weirded out when Bernard grunted trying to scratch his back and stretched too far one day. I didn't realize rabbits made noise until then. Bernard came late to us, he was probably just under 9 months. We had issues with getting him used to socialization but he never bit, he'd just hate to be touched, and would shy away most of the time. It's much better now, though I would never be able to cuddle him the way I do Apollo since he freaks out and kicks like mad. His size makes it hard as well. He's the largest rabbit I've EVER seen. He wasn't too big when we first bought him but he has grown exponentially since then. He weighs more than my mother's shi-poo.

That first one is my husband and Bernard. It took him some effort to get him to stop thrashing in his arms. lol

I have them in a medium-size cage, but with Bernard so big it's kind of cramped and that's why I let them roam most of the day. Bernard oddly seems to like his cage and we have to drag him out of it to get exercise. ;p Wow. A great dane?! Those are awesome, but I fear I wouldn't be able to have one in my place. One wag of the tail and there goes everything on my coffee table.

 

[blackbetty]

Wow.. he is large. I thought am was chunky. LOL..Ill have to track down a pic or go take one..

Yea, you can see my pups on the other pets forum under showing off my girl or something like that. LOL. it was early when I typed it this morning..and my website is link on the last page of Meet Leo as I updated it this morning. There are TONS of them on there.>yea, happy tail HURTS!! LOL..

Did you buy them at a pet store?

I always wanted a bunny and when we back to Il for a visit, we saw an ad for some $5 bunnies.. Sadly they were bred to be feeders for snakes.. well, hubby surprised me and picked one out..he fit in the palm of my hand at 6 weeks old..now he is the size of a fat cat.. LOL. Thats Sam. His first 2 wives came in as Rescues. The first one died of an abscess on the operating table and the second had a seizure. His third is Millie.. such a size difference..reminds me of the 4'10 chick with the 6'5 hubby. LOL! and then I already mentioned Kujo.. Drove an hour to get him so he could have a great free roam home. Heres my Tattoo.https://www.chameleonforums.com/tattoos-21062/

Ha, hope you dont mind me hijacking your thread to talk about bunnies!

 

[leid]

Oh I love bunnies. Hijack away!

We bought Bernard from Petco, and he was already neutered and had his shots. We just took him for an annual vet visit several weeks ago and the vet could not believe his size. lol We have to bathe him with bunny shampoo because he gets itchy from dry skin and gets his bedding stuck to his fur over the course of several weeks. He's actually not chunky at all! he looks like a scraggly thing when wet LOL. He loves his baths. He just lies down and we scratch him and he's like "aaaaahhhh "

We got Apollo at Petco too, but he was a tiny baby so they couldn't neuter him yet. we waited until he was six months old to do so. We take them with us on family occasion road trips. They both are leash trained and since this last winter was really cold we bought Apollo a sweater (it was a ferret sweater but he's small enough atm to wear it). It's so funny, and CAMOUFLAGE. haha. My parents in law have a farm in little River KS, and they love the rabbits so much that Hank's dad constructed a "bunny hotel" out of wood for them to hang out when they come there. last year half of our family gave them christmas presents

They're like little dogs. Last summer Hank would barbeque out on our patio and Bernard would lay in the shade outside by the tree, and our place is OPEN with no fencing and he would never run away. Apollo needs a little more supervision, but he's also much younger. We haven't been able to let him outside yet without a leash and a harness. Of course -my- rabbit is the naughty one.

Thats such a cute tattoo!! I wish I could have tattoos but my future career looks down on it. I'm pushing the envelope enough with my 0 guages. My husband doesnt have the same restrictions as I, as you can see. haha

 

[blackbetty]

Oh I love bunnies. Hijack away!

We bought Bernard from Petco, and he was already neutered and had his shots. We just took him for an annual vet visit several weeks ago and the vet could not believe his size. lol We have to bathe him with bunny shampoo because he gets itchy from dry skin and gets his bedding stuck to his fur over the course of several weeks. He's actually not chunky at all! he looks like a scraggly thing when wet LOL. He loves his baths. He just lies down and we scratch him and he's like "aaaaahhhh "

We got Apollo at Petco too, but he was a tiny baby so they couldn't neuter him yet. we waited until he was six months old to do so. We take them with us on family occasion road trips. They both are leash trained and since this last winter was really cold we bought Apollo a sweater (it was a ferret sweater but he's small enough atm to wear it). It's so funny, and CAMOUFLAGE. haha. My parents in law have a farm in little River KS, and they love the rabbits so much that Hank's dad constructed a "bunny hotel" out of wood for them to hang out when they come there. last year half of our family gave them christmas presents

They're like little dogs. Last summer Hank would barbeque out on our patio and Bernard would lay in the shade outside by the tree, and our place is OPEN with no fencing and he would never run away. Apollo needs a little more supervision, but he's also much younger. We haven't been able to let him outside yet without a leash and a harness. Of course -my- rabbit is the naughty one.

Thats such a cute tattoo!! I wish I could have tattoos but my future career looks down on it. I'm pushing the envelope enough with my 0 guages. My husband doesnt have the same restrictions as I, as you can see. haha

What career?? And what do you have pierced? I want snake bites but hubby says no. You cant get them under clothing?

They sound amazing.. I have to wheel the bunny cage out for them to get air. There are too many dogs on the loose around here for open cage roaming outside..and we are surrounded by woods on 2 sides so I could see them making a break for it.

Your family sounds so cool. My mom thinks im an animal addict. LOL.. Its true, but it all stems from not being allowed pets as a kid.. I think all kids need to experience the love an animal can give.

Im on the prowl for a Hotot.. I want a TRUE hotot. Im going to wait until Sam passes though since he is my baby.. Not wanting that to ever happen but Im being realistic...

 

[leid]

Amanda,

I'm pursuing a PhD-MD, most likely in neurology or pathophysiology, and if everything goes as smoothly academics-wise as it currently is, I hope to teach doctors and conduct research. I'm sure I don't have to tell you the prejudices of having a ton of piercings and tattoos in that line of work, as stupid as that is.

I had snakebites but had to take them out for my current job as a Restorative Care Assistant. I work with physical therapists to rehabilitate surgery patients. It's for health experience for medical school. I -had- a nose-piercing but they made me take that out too. All I have left is a cartilage piercing, navel, and my guages.

I do have three tattoos. One raven on right shoulder, left shoulder kanji scrolls and then I have ...the tri-force ...on my calf.

But i totally want visible tattoos! I have to always cover them up and I hate it.

What's a hotot? My mom was kind of a hippie back in the day and loved animals. I always had a zoo in my room. Everytime we'd go to the cottage I'd come home with like some new frog or some snails or mice to raise.

 

[blackbetty]

The eyeliner bunny. Pure white with only black eyeliner.

You see the mixed kind with spotting..NOt for me. I want purebred. We also said when we open our pet store that we are going to have a guard Flemish. LOL!

Wow, what a career!!! Mine arent visible either. I have so many more ideas I want..Im working on getting my Red Eye tat with my chameleon soon.. I just gotta get over being a pansy.. LOL. I have three so I know what they feel like, but I still get anxiety.

Whats a tri, something or another? I automatically thought Star Wars. LOL