Samsonsfrogs
Established Member
So after reading alot of posts from various people, I was curious how many of you own a chameleon book? I see alot of questions that one could learn if they had a book. I don't mean to come off rude..I'm just curious.
Cham books
- Thread starter Samsonsfrogs
- Start date
most books are outdated and or expensive. wouldn't you rather get your information from people that share the same experiences and for free? Yes books are good to reference but I think forums are really the key to sharing current information.
I personally own zero chameleon books. I got reptile magazines from 99' though and bunch of random reptile books nothing species specific. Well I own a kids book called the mixed up chameleon if that counts. Im still debating on getting Chameleons Of Africa and another book on geckos. Between the 2 its like $300.
I personally own zero chameleon books. I got reptile magazines from 99' though and bunch of random reptile books nothing species specific. Well I own a kids book called the mixed up chameleon if that counts. Im still debating on getting Chameleons Of Africa and another book on geckos. Between the 2 its like $300.
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Samsonsfrogs
Established Member
I myself have 2 books, but I still use the forums pretty frequently. Most of my questions have already been asked so I use the search function alot... Otherwise id have alot more posts, lol I know what you mean by expensive. I used to have a reef tank and some of those books cost a pretty penny.
Most of the books are not good for answering questions really. I have a bunch of the "guide to chameleons" type of books, and just knowing something about reptiles (not even chameleons specifically) I could have told you off the bat that some of their advice was just plain wrong. One said they don't need UVB... Knowing more about chameleons now I can tell you that there are lots of discrepancies that I do not agree with in those books. The best thing about the forums is you get people who have actually had success with keeping them (not just one who got money for writing about them). Multiple opinions from successful hobbyists are far more helpful!
Samsonsfrogs
Established Member
I think my first post might be a little rude. I was just curious who's learning what from where.
ChameleonRave
Avid Member
I personally like the Chameleon books, just for reading. I wouldn't take the advice word for word. These forums are nice, but sometimes you might get a response from an inexperienced keeper and gives you the wrong advice or you might not get a response at all. Oh and I don't think it's free if you pay for internet.
I really like Petr Necas' books: Hidden Jewels of the Rainforest and Miniature Dragons.
They aren't really instructional books but they're fascinating to read! Has lots of natural habitat information and pictures of very unusual/rare species. You would probably like them if you just want to read more about chams in general. I love mine.
They aren't really instructional books but they're fascinating to read! Has lots of natural habitat information and pictures of very unusual/rare species. You would probably like them if you just want to read more about chams in general. I love mine.
Ferdy Timmerman
Member
I own about 10 chameleon books and a whole bunch of magazines that have chameleon articles in them, or that are special chameleon editions or chameleon society "magazines". Other than that, I often get scientific papers concerning chameleon related subjects from the internet.
Forums are a nice way to exchange experience, but nothing beats a good book/paper when it comes down to background information (distribution, natural habitat, behaviour, nutrition etc.).
If you want a book that explains a lot about keeping chameleons, but also tells you something about a lot of species' background, you might find Petr Necas's book Chameleons, Nature's hidden jewels (2004) interesting.
But my personal favorite is Colin Tilbury's Chameleons of Africa (2010). It contains a lot of information about chameleons in the wild, including descriptions with photo's of almost all African chameleon species (all Madagascar genera are represented in a separate volume I believe, not available yet). It contains little information on captive husbandry, so it might not make a good choice for a beginner.
Forums are a nice way to exchange experience, but nothing beats a good book/paper when it comes down to background information (distribution, natural habitat, behaviour, nutrition etc.).
If you want a book that explains a lot about keeping chameleons, but also tells you something about a lot of species' background, you might find Petr Necas's book Chameleons, Nature's hidden jewels (2004) interesting.
But my personal favorite is Colin Tilbury's Chameleons of Africa (2010). It contains a lot of information about chameleons in the wild, including descriptions with photo's of almost all African chameleon species (all Madagascar genera are represented in a separate volume I believe, not available yet). It contains little information on captive husbandry, so it might not make a good choice for a beginner.
Kent67
Retired Moderator
I believe I have just about every English language book there is about chameleons, including field guides, except for the expensive Stump-tail Chameleons one. I believe I also have just about every Reptiles Magazine and Reptilia Magazine chameleon article as well as the full set of Chameleon Information Network Journals. I've been collecting them since before buying my first chams in 1991 and disagree that they are not worthy of having. Even Philippe de Vosjoli's little black and white paperbacks, which were the first cham books I bought back in '91, still have very solid info in them. Some things have changed, such as how most people no longer incubate panther eggs at a constant 82F, but that doesn't mean it won't work.
ChameleonRave
Avid Member
I believe I have just about every English language book there is about chameleons, including field guides, except for the expensive Stump-tail Chameleons one. I believe I also have just about every Reptiles Magazine and Reptilia Magazine chameleon article as well as the full set of Chameleon Information Network Journals. I've been collecting them since before buying my first chams in 1991 and disagree that they are not worthy of having. Even Philippe de Vosjoli's little black and white paperbacks, which were the first cham books I bought back in '91, still have very solid info in them. Some things have changed, such as how most people no longer incubate panther eggs at a constant 82F, but that doesn't mean it won't work.
Adopt Me.... Please?
laurie
Retired Moderator
You and I are much the same on books. I own several but you named my personal favorites. I got Colin Tilbury's book for Christmas and I am addicted. Both are great books.
Hoj
Friendly Grasshopper
me too i have over 10 different books now and always looking for more. like most people say alot of them are out dated but i still like to give them a once over to pull and new info i can or brush up on stuff
definatly the necas and tilbury books are the best, i also like the panther chameleon book by ferguson as well
definatly the necas and tilbury books are the best, i also like the panther chameleon book by ferguson as well
Samsonsfrogs
Established Member
I'm going to see about getting one of those books. I want to read about their natural habitat and habits. Do you know if Barnes and Noble carries those books?
Samsonsfrogs
Established Member
Ill start saving for the cham book fund
I thought you were asking about instructional books. There are lots of excellent chameleon books to read up on their natural history, environment and phylogeny! The Necas books are my favorite.
PantherEnvy
Avid Member
There is enough information on the internet.
clarkrw3
New Member
I do like the books. They don't replace the info I have gleaned from CF or the internet in general including Chameleon News. But I currently have 5-6 books and ordered another 4 today. When I visited Dave over in Cali this summer I took pictures of all his books so that I could remember which to get He had a really nice collection.
He had a really nice collection.
Ferdy Timmerman
Member
Really? Over here it's 98 euro, straight from Chimaira. I always buy my books on reptile expo's.
Maybe, but there is too much bullcr*p to filter out + websites don't stay forever (take adcham for example). Books are more valuable for background information, internet is great to exchange experience.
