Discussion on Starting with Chameleons

[DeremensisBlue]

One of the best places to get support when you are just starting out with chameleon is here on the Chameleon Forums. There are few places in this online world that do not feel like a digital hunger games. And, of course, figuring out how to help beginners is a personal passion of mine. This Saturday (Aug 22), I will be talking about starting with a chameleon from the first step and reviewing things that would help a beginner get started off on the right foot. I'd like to invite you all to join me and the YouTube live crowd (many of you are here as well) to this live and interactive discussion, think about it a bit, and then come back here and talk about how we can serve our beginner community.

Although we can jump start the discussion by commenting what you wish you knew when you started. What would have made things easier on you? What could someone have said that would have avoided a mistake or frustration? I am finishing up the presentation and I would hate to miss something obvious!

The live session itself is Saturday Aug 22 at 12 noon Pacific time on the Chameleon Academy Live YouTube channel (There is another Chameleon Academy channel for videos). Here is the link if you want to set up notifications.

 

[MissSkittles]

I work nights on weekends, so always miss your live sessions.
I barely even knew what a chameleon looked like when I agreed to take my stepdaughter’s. It was frustrating to find so many different bits of conflicting husbandry. I had to go with common sense, which landed me here on the forum (thank God!).
There are a few things that I believe are unanticipated the most by many new keepers.
- the actual expense and investment that is required. Setting up properly can cost quite a bit, even when done as frugally as possible.
- chameleons are not really interactive and do best when we just visually enjoy them.
- good vets are hard to find and visits can be a bit pricey (as they are for all animals). Know where your nearest good chameleon/exotics vet is and set aside some $$. It also helps to be able to know what veterinary advice is best to ignore, such as soaking your chameleon in an enclosed container of warm water sitting on a heat mat to hydrate.
That’s my bit. Hope it helps some.

 

[DeremensisBlue]

I work nights on weekends, so always miss your live sessions.
I barely even knew what a chameleon looked like when I agreed to take my stepdaughter’s. It was frustrating to find so many different bits of conflicting husbandry. I had to go with common sense, which landed me here on the forum (thank God!).
There are a few things that I believe are unanticipated the most by many new keepers.
- the actual expense and investment that is required. Setting up properly can cost quite a bit, even when done as frugally as possible.
- chameleons are not really interactive and do best when we just visually enjoy them.
- good vets are hard to find and visits can be a bit pricey (as they are for all animals). Know where your nearest good chameleon/exotics vet is and set aside some $$. It also helps to be able to know what veterinary advice is best to ignore, such as soaking your chameleon in an enclosed container of warm water sitting on a heat mat to hydrate.
That’s my bit. Hope it helps some.

Thank you very much for sharing!

 

[BigSkyCham]

One of the best places to get support when you are just starting out with chameleon is here on the Chameleon Forums. There are few places in this online world that do not feel like a digital hunger games. And, of course, figuring out how to help beginners is a personal passion of mine. This Saturday (Aug 22), I will be talking about starting with a chameleon from the first step and reviewing things that would help a beginner get started off on the right foot. I'd like to invite you all to join me and the YouTube live crowd (many of you are here as well) to this live and interactive discussion, think about it a bit, and then come back here and talk about how we can serve our beginner community.

Although we can jump start the discussion by commenting what you wish you knew when you started. What would have made things easier on you? What could someone have said that would have avoided a mistake or frustration? I am finishing up the presentation and I would hate to miss something obvious!

The live session itself is Saturday Aug 22 at 12 noon Pacific time on the Chameleon Academy Live YouTube channel (There is another Chameleon Academy channel for videos). Here is the link if you want to set up notifications.

Thank you for all you do for the community. Your help and everyone else that is here to support every minute of every day is an incredibly valuable and appreciated resource.

Thank you to all the teachers!

I am ready for an enclosure review. If you are doing cage reviews tomorrow I am ready for a good shakedown. My Cham won’t arrive until late Sept/oct. so I have plenty of time to get things sorted.

 

[ehdee6]

I've always wanted a chameleon as a pet; and looked into it for many years, before taking the plunge myself.

I've learned most of my correct information from this forum; which led me to Chameleon Academy, and Neptune the Chameleon.

I've learned many things from the Chamfam, but mainly:

Ask lots of questions! No question is a dumb question. Keep learning!

Dial in your cage environment, before bringing your chameleon home. It helps more than you can imagine! Starting with the correct environment will save you hassle in the long run, and provide peace of mind.

Feeder bugs are expensive at first! Buying and correctly keeping a good supply of feeders adds up quickly, when they're young. I got my chams as babies/juveniles. But they eat less as adults, and the cost levels out. Just keep a good variety!

Take advice with a grain of salt. If you watch and study your pet, you'll find what works best in your specific environment. What works for someone in one country will always vary from another. For example, the climate differences between Alaska and Florida, or Hawaii and Kenya, are drastic.

Anyway, as I start off on my own adventure into owning these little dinosaurs, my advice is to keep learning what's best; and keep asking questions! We all live and learn. What works for one person will always be different from another.

Thanks, Chamfam, for teaching me how to keep my chams happy and healthy!

My Littlefoot as a baby:

With the advice given here, she's about 11 months old. Still no signs of egg production and living strong.

I also have a Jackson, who arrived as a Juvi. Living his best life, also roughly 11 months old:

As a Juvi:

Recently:

... edit to add, the correct hatch date of each was October 2024... making them each not 11 months old; but an etire, 1 year and 10 months old! where did time go?!

My adventures with my Chams:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/littlefoot-mr-jack-photo-dumps.194948/

 

[Brad]

This chat is about to start

 

[DeremensisBlue]

Hey all, We had a great live session and I was able to share the response from @MissSkittles. Her name was immediately recognized by some people in the chat so her efforts have been recognized! (so, thank you, @MissSkittles!) The approach I took was not to give husbandry advice to newcomers, but a sort of roadmap of how to navigate the challenges and decisions that are ahead. It was fun to share the feedback from those in the community that have walked this path before! So, feel free to put this on while you wash dishes, walk the dog, or clean feeder bins and let me know you thoughts!

Chameleon Academy LIVE: Starting With Chameleons

 

[DeremensisBlue]

Thank you for all you do for the community. Your help and everyone else that is here to support every minute of every day is an incredibly valuable and appreciated resource.

Thank you to all the teachers!

I am ready for an enclosure review. If you are doing cage reviews tomorrow I am ready for a good shakedown. My Cham won’t arrive until late Sept/oct. so I have plenty of time to get things sorted.

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I can do a cage review next Saturday asd that is our unofficial cage review day!

 

[BigSkyCham]

I can do a cage review next Saturday asd that is our unofficial cage review day!

Thank you. The show today was great.
I sent you an email with details about the enclosure and some more pics.

Hope to meet up on Tuesday and next Saturday.