jaxonmilly
New Member
Hello everyone. I am a brand spanking new Chameleon owner. (As if the title didn't give it away.)
I went into my LPS the other day to get a new Betta fish. I am a fish hobbyist, not a reptile keeper/owner/lover. I have several aquariums at home.
Anyway, on to the story. While I was at the pet store, a new staff member was walking around with a Jackson Chameleon on her shoulder. My daughter became interested and started asking questions, as did I. For whatever strange reason, I felt compelled to take this chameleon home.
As I learned more, I found out that she had an eye infection when she first came to the pet store. Their vet treated her, but said she is completely blind in her left eye. The staff member (remember she's new) let me into the back to see the habitat they were keeping the chameleon in. It was TINY, I tell you. It was like a 5 gallon betta tank with mesh over the top and some lights and fake plants. NOT COOL! The chameleon, as I was told, is female, less than a year old and I'd say she is about 4-5 inches from nose to dorsal vent.
**I didn't know a darn thing about chameleons, but knew instinctively that this wasn't suitable for her.
This made the decision for me. Whether I kept her forever or not, she was coming home with me.
I had them keep her for 24 more hours, until I could spend lots and lots of money getting a habitat set up for her. I have read SO MUCH information in the last 24 hours, my head is spinning.
I brought her home this morning, and have spent the day attempting feedings and ticking her off with my misting. Hahaha. Finally figured out this dripper thing.
I left her alone for a few hours to attempt to settle in some. Although, I feel it might take a couple of weeks for that to occur. By the end of the day, she finally ate two crickets. I didn't want her to eat any more because it was lights out in three hours and I wanted her to have time to lay in the heat.
All in all, we are off to a half way decent start.
Next project, building a mesh/wooden habitat for her to chill in in the summer sunshine and heat. I can't wait for warm weather. I'm sick and tired of the snow.
Any tips, tricks, advice.....Please and thank you in advance.
I went into my LPS the other day to get a new Betta fish. I am a fish hobbyist, not a reptile keeper/owner/lover. I have several aquariums at home.
Anyway, on to the story. While I was at the pet store, a new staff member was walking around with a Jackson Chameleon on her shoulder. My daughter became interested and started asking questions, as did I. For whatever strange reason, I felt compelled to take this chameleon home.
As I learned more, I found out that she had an eye infection when she first came to the pet store. Their vet treated her, but said she is completely blind in her left eye. The staff member (remember she's new) let me into the back to see the habitat they were keeping the chameleon in. It was TINY, I tell you. It was like a 5 gallon betta tank with mesh over the top and some lights and fake plants. NOT COOL! The chameleon, as I was told, is female, less than a year old and I'd say she is about 4-5 inches from nose to dorsal vent.
**I didn't know a darn thing about chameleons, but knew instinctively that this wasn't suitable for her.
This made the decision for me. Whether I kept her forever or not, she was coming home with me.
I had them keep her for 24 more hours, until I could spend lots and lots of money getting a habitat set up for her. I have read SO MUCH information in the last 24 hours, my head is spinning.
I brought her home this morning, and have spent the day attempting feedings and ticking her off with my misting. Hahaha. Finally figured out this dripper thing.
I left her alone for a few hours to attempt to settle in some. Although, I feel it might take a couple of weeks for that to occur. By the end of the day, she finally ate two crickets. I didn't want her to eat any more because it was lights out in three hours and I wanted her to have time to lay in the heat.
All in all, we are off to a half way decent start.
Next project, building a mesh/wooden habitat for her to chill in in the summer sunshine and heat. I can't wait for warm weather. I'm sick and tired of the snow.
Any tips, tricks, advice.....Please and thank you in advance.
