Hi, my name is Sarah, I am a researcher for Primal Productions, we are in pre production on a show called 'Extreme Animal Obsession'. The show will focus on people who are passionate about animals, and express their dedication in an unusual way. This show is not a joke, or trying to exploit animal enthusiasts in any way. We just want to interview people and get a sense of how they developed this unusual hobbie/lifestyle. Are you into dressing up like a chameleon, do you enjoy eating flies or small insects? Do you have a large collection of chameleons? Do you let them sleep with you? If so, please respond to this post, or feel free to email me at [email protected]. Thanks!
Chameleon Obsession
- Thread starter Sarahb
- Start date
chameleonfan101
Established Member
i would love to sleep with my chameleon! 
(you can't do that) i don't know about the eating of crickets though. but yes i love ever single one of my chams.
(you can't do that) i don't know about the eating of crickets though. but yes i love ever single one of my chams.Hi Johnny,
Thanks for the reply. I understand the sleeping thing, I was just throeing out idea there. My main question is, do you feel a particularily strong connection to your chameleons? As in, are you akin to them in a way that your family do not necessarily understand? I am not referring to festishs, the show I am working on is family orintated. I just mean, do you ever find yourself wanting, or in actual fact, acting like a chameleon?
Thanks for the reply. I understand the sleeping thing, I was just throeing out idea there. My main question is, do you feel a particularily strong connection to your chameleons? As in, are you akin to them in a way that your family do not necessarily understand? I am not referring to festishs, the show I am working on is family orintated. I just mean, do you ever find yourself wanting, or in actual fact, acting like a chameleon?
KatCham
Established Member
Everything about chameleons is just fascinating!!! Eyes, tongue, feet, tail, colours, the way they move. Nature's genius creation!!!
It's not just a pet....it's a way of life!! Only cham keepers will understand!!
I can't say I act like a chameleon, although I do wish I had 360 degree vision sometimes!!! LOL
I have in the past thought it'd be quite useful for us to have that tongue and eat bugs, coz when there's a fly or wasp or summat that just WON'T leave you alone, it'd be rather funny to just lap it up!!! LOL
I remember being on holiday in Tenerife last year, and there were schefflera and Hibiscus plants EVERYHWHERE!!!
All I could think was "Simba (my panther cham) would just LOVE it here!!!!!"
It's not just a pet....it's a way of life!! Only cham keepers will understand!!
I can't say I act like a chameleon, although I do wish I had 360 degree vision sometimes!!! LOL
I have in the past thought it'd be quite useful for us to have that tongue and eat bugs, coz when there's a fly or wasp or summat that just WON'T leave you alone, it'd be rather funny to just lap it up!!! LOL
I remember being on holiday in Tenerife last year, and there were schefflera and Hibiscus plants EVERYHWHERE!!!
All I could think was "Simba (my panther cham) would just LOVE it here!!!!!"
mcleodschams
Established Member
Everything about chameleons is just fascinating!!! Eyes, tongue, feet, tail, colours, the way they move. Nature's genius creation!!!
It's not just a pet....it's a way of life!! Only cham keepers will understand!!
I can't say I act like a chameleon, although I do wish I had 360 degree vision sometimes!!! LOL
I have in the past thought it'd be quite useful for us to have that tongue and eat bugs, coz when there's a fly or wasp or summat that just WON'T leave you alone, it'd be rather funny to just lap it up!!! LOL
I remember being on holiday in Tenerife last year, and there were schefflera and Hibiscus plants EVERYHWHERE!!!
All I could think was "Simba (my panther cham) would just LOVE it here!!!!!"
excellent discription of how a cham owner feels it is a way of life thats for sure our lives revolve around our precious chams that is a fact
Solid Snake
Avid Member
If you want a weirdo, just openly ask for them.
I would just like to say, that if you find said weirdo, will you please point out in your program that the weirdo is not a typical keeper?
You might even interview a typical keeper as well, and have them comment on the weirdness of the weirdo. It would show an accurate portrayal of a chameleon keeper, as well as highlight just how weird the weirdo is.
I would very much appreciate this, because not only do our families and friends already think of us as weirdos, but reptile keepers in general get a bad rap from most tv shows and media.
This is not something we need.
Good luck!
I would just like to say, that if you find said weirdo, will you please point out in your program that the weirdo is not a typical keeper?
You might even interview a typical keeper as well, and have them comment on the weirdness of the weirdo. It would show an accurate portrayal of a chameleon keeper, as well as highlight just how weird the weirdo is.
I would very much appreciate this, because not only do our families and friends already think of us as weirdos, but reptile keepers in general get a bad rap from most tv shows and media.
This is not something we need.
Good luck!
Markarian
New Member
I'm only a new chameleon owner, and while I love my new cham, I have to say that they're not very handlable pets. Mine is fairly skittish, though does eat out of my hand all the time. Given the difficulty in having them enjoy any time out of their cage, I'm just curious how compelling of a subject they would be for a show this fun.
Ace
Avid Member
Agreed
Sorry but im really ticked off by what the OP said, you wont exploit people yet you give examples
Of VERY ODD ACTIONS, like eating bugs or dress up.....seriously what really do you want. We are reptile pet owners...some people keep dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses etc.
If you want a real chameleon owner enthusiast...then sorry we arent weird freaks that are isolated from the world.....
Sorry but im really ticked off by what the OP said, you wont exploit people yet you give examples
Of VERY ODD ACTIONS, like eating bugs or dress up.....seriously what really do you want. We are reptile pet owners...some people keep dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses etc.
If you want a real chameleon owner enthusiast...then sorry we arent weird freaks that are isolated from the world.....
coldbloodedAL
Avid Member
Completely agree, good job Stan.
Glad somebody said this... Because that was exactly what I got out of the OP.. Thanks Ace
Sticktongue
Avid Member
chameleonfan101
Established Member
I agree with all of the above^^^^^
thephotoprincess
Avid Member
ummm ... yeah, sure. That would be more believable if not followed up with "dressing up like a chameleon" and "do you eat flies."
chameleonfan101
Established Member
Or crickets???? Seriously....
thephotoprincess
Avid Member
there is a candy store in a beach town up the coast that sells chocolate covered crickets ... I've never tried them but I'm sure some do - at least as a gag.
... somehow I don't think that is what Sarah is looking for
ChappyMcChap
New Member
What is this? People can't hoard chameleons like they do cats. Because they don't tolerate substandard husbandry very long. If you want to interview nuts, go to a peanut farm.
chameleonfan101
Established Member
I would actualy try one just for fun. Covered in chocolate souds good maybe some with some repashy plus as well since i heard it smells like bananas hahahahahahaaha
Sarah are looking for a humans that were raised by chameleons??????? kind of like they way Tarzan was raised?????
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
If you're looking for the crazies, you'll have better luck on a cat forum!
All kidding aside, I don't think any of us will contact you about the show. We, as herp people, have an atrocious reputation as it is because we are constantly grouped into the same category as the people who release giant pythons and get bitten by their pet cobras while trying to "play" with them. There are weirdos and idiots out there, definitely, but we don't like all being grouped into the same category. Which is what is continuously happening on TV lately on these animal shows - the people who own reptiles, regardless of type, are portrayed as loners, social outcasts, irresponsible, and irrational when it comes to the emotional capacity of their pets.
Most of us are really normal people. I don't have purple hair, or have tattoos, have reptiles as part of being socially rebellious or to look cool, or keep reptiles as a substitute for human relationships. But I am doing a double-major in biological sciences, have a normal social life with an adoring boyfriend, have a family that more-or-less supports my hobby, and provide my pets with lots of respect. And I get lumped in with the weirdos that give us a bad name on TV? It's just not fair.
All kidding aside, I don't think any of us will contact you about the show. We, as herp people, have an atrocious reputation as it is because we are constantly grouped into the same category as the people who release giant pythons and get bitten by their pet cobras while trying to "play" with them. There are weirdos and idiots out there, definitely, but we don't like all being grouped into the same category. Which is what is continuously happening on TV lately on these animal shows - the people who own reptiles, regardless of type, are portrayed as loners, social outcasts, irresponsible, and irrational when it comes to the emotional capacity of their pets.
Most of us are really normal people. I don't have purple hair, or have tattoos, have reptiles as part of being socially rebellious or to look cool, or keep reptiles as a substitute for human relationships. But I am doing a double-major in biological sciences, have a normal social life with an adoring boyfriend, have a family that more-or-less supports my hobby, and provide my pets with lots of respect. And I get lumped in with the weirdos that give us a bad name on TV? It's just not fair.
CamiGirl89
New Member
Totally agree with Olimpia here. I am a 22 year old, normal looking female with no unusual piercings or tattoos anywhere. If you saw me on the street, most describe me as bubbly and blond. When I tell people that I own chameleons and turtles, the normal reaction is "Oh, you're one of those people". What IS a "those people"? I have seen dog people wipe their dogs butts in front of national television as a part of a dog show, and I never hear any of them get criticized for it. Do you see them dressing as dogs, or eating kibble/raw meat? Not really. We are animal enthusiasts, just as they are. The only difference? The species of animal that we love, and the knowledge that we possess of that animal.
The closest I can get to answering your questions is to say that I know a whole bunch of people who will, on command, walk like a chameleon. This involves fashioning their hands so that all four fingers come together and oppose the thumb, then creeping down the passage in a single file line, very silently, head bobbing back with each step.
It's pretty weird, but these people are also four years old, and this is how I get them to and from different classrooms without disturbing school visitors or other classes.
"Right kids, go to the language classroom and... walk like a chameleon...".
Sorry, that's about the weirdest chameleon imitation I know, though I don't think it counts as something you're looking for...?
It's pretty weird, but these people are also four years old, and this is how I get them to and from different classrooms without disturbing school visitors or other classes.
"Right kids, go to the language classroom and... walk like a chameleon...".
Sorry, that's about the weirdest chameleon imitation I know, though I don't think it counts as something you're looking for...?
Goldenarcher1328
New Member
I agree, we all live normal everyday lives. Just because we own a reptile doesn't make us attention seeking misfits that you can slap a reality tv show on and profit from.
I'm a hard working 19 year old who is running a very successful company, i am a very respected teacher and have a loving and amazing girlfriend who is by my side. I have lots of friends and lead a rather normal life, i enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing and many other regular everyday activities. Please do not give reptile owners a bad name as we are already taking enough heat from the media as it is.
Common sense is a wonderful thing, sadly the people giving most reptile keepers a bad name, are the people who do not use it and who lack respect for other peoples feelings about reptiles. I bring my pets out with me a few times a week ( Yes pets, I have Dogs, Cats, Reptiles, and Fish. I will let you figure out who i take with me haha) If someone is afraid of dogs, i do not bring my dog near them. If someone is afraid of reptiles, i do not bring my reptiles near them. Sometimes i even have someone who is afraid but understands that most times these animals are misunderstood, and they would like to be properly educated about them, which i will gladly do. This is a matter of simple respect for other people that i believe most of us have and demonstrate on a daily basis. Unfortunately there are some people who do not show the common curtsy of respecting others wishes or do not use common sense all the time and end up giving everyone a bad name.
All it takes is one bad experience to ruin a wonderful thing for everyone. Please do not try and further this picture of us as "misfits" and "freaks" owning Crazy and Dangerous reptiles. For those of us who have a respect for the hobby and for our animals who we take care of, as well as a respect for others and their personal wishes, this is a wonderful completely normal lifestyle.
Do some people take things over the edge? Yes, this is true with every subject imaginable. Someone, somewhere will take things too far, however most people don't go to crazy extremes.
Thank you for listening to our replies. This means alot if you do take all this into consideration, Please if anything, put us in a good light, don't damage the already fragile relations that we have with the public eye. Thank you.
I'm a hard working 19 year old who is running a very successful company, i am a very respected teacher and have a loving and amazing girlfriend who is by my side. I have lots of friends and lead a rather normal life, i enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing and many other regular everyday activities. Please do not give reptile owners a bad name as we are already taking enough heat from the media as it is.
Common sense is a wonderful thing, sadly the people giving most reptile keepers a bad name, are the people who do not use it and who lack respect for other peoples feelings about reptiles. I bring my pets out with me a few times a week ( Yes pets, I have Dogs, Cats, Reptiles, and Fish. I will let you figure out who i take with me haha) If someone is afraid of dogs, i do not bring my dog near them. If someone is afraid of reptiles, i do not bring my reptiles near them. Sometimes i even have someone who is afraid but understands that most times these animals are misunderstood, and they would like to be properly educated about them, which i will gladly do. This is a matter of simple respect for other people that i believe most of us have and demonstrate on a daily basis. Unfortunately there are some people who do not show the common curtsy of respecting others wishes or do not use common sense all the time and end up giving everyone a bad name.
All it takes is one bad experience to ruin a wonderful thing for everyone. Please do not try and further this picture of us as "misfits" and "freaks" owning Crazy and Dangerous reptiles. For those of us who have a respect for the hobby and for our animals who we take care of, as well as a respect for others and their personal wishes, this is a wonderful completely normal lifestyle.
Do some people take things over the edge? Yes, this is true with every subject imaginable. Someone, somewhere will take things too far, however most people don't go to crazy extremes.
Thank you for listening to our replies. This means alot if you do take all this into consideration, Please if anything, put us in a good light, don't damage the already fragile relations that we have with the public eye. Thank you.
