Questions... It's long, but I need help!

[kymberdeneex210]

Okay, here's the deal... I recently became obsessed with chameleons. I want one really bad, but there are a lot of concerns and questions I have. Basically, I was just wanting to get other cham owners' opinions to help me with the decision.

So, first off, I'm a college student-athlete and this would be my first reptile to own. I've heard that chameleons are difficult to care for especially for the inexperienced. And being in college, I understand that it could be difficult to balance everything, but I'm the type of person that would do everything I can to make it perfect for the little guy, so I'm alright with the challenge. However, even though I feel like I could handle it, I don't want to be in over my head, so I still want an opinion from someone who's been there... do you think it's a bad idea?

If you guys think I could handle it, what type of chameleon do you think would be best for me? I would be able to keep my chameleon in my apartment fine, I think, as long as it's a small one. I've been looking at dwarf chameleons online, and it's really been difficult for me to hunt down the right species I would like because they all look different. I found a picture of a baby peacock chameleon that is just adorable and I think it would be perfect how it is... however, I know that it's not a dwarf and it will get big quick. I'll post the picture and if you guys know of a dwarf species that looks something like this, will you please let me know?

Anyways, those are the only questions I have for now... I mean to help with making the decision in the first place... I appreciate any feedback you can give! Thanks a lot!

 

[morpheon]

To me I would say that you may indeed be able to keep a chameleon and maintain it in good health. The key is to do the right things, in the right order.

First, i'd like to know how much room you got exactly? Then we might be able to talk about a species.

Second, we'll have to look for a species that isn't too big, and still pretty tough health-wise. Sadly, some species are more vulnerable than others, so we better get a tough one for a start.

Third, and related to the first and second question: where do you live, and how hot is where the chameleon would be, both during the day and during the night. You will need a digital thermometer for that, to make sure that you have good readings. And don't mind taking temperature for a few days in a row.

Fourth, we'll help you choose a good chameleon, and if possible from a reputated breeder/seller. Obviously, if you get a chameleon that is healthy, and not wild caught (WC), you are raising your chances of keeping your chameleon alive for longer! That means to already forget the normal petstores!

Fifth, making sure that you have enough money for the little dude. I know that it is possible to get a good setup for pretty cheap, but the key is to still have a few dollars left in case your chameleon gets sick and need to see a vet. To me, if you can't afford to see one, you shouldn't get a chameleon, plain and simple.

Sixth, building your enclosure, and testing it for a week before receiving your chameleon will be the most important thing. The reason is once we get your data (temperature, humidity, pictures, etc), we'll be able to tell you if there is anything that should be improved, once again to give your chameleon a better chance of living for a long time!

 

[Ace]

What Morphoen said ^^^,

Welcome to the forums

Dont worry, as soon as you reply back, we will as quickly reply back to you, and dont worry, ask questions, but also look around the forums and use the "Search" to find threads that pertain to some of your questions, ......

 

[Rockalita]

I was also a student athlete in college and I know that we would leave for 2-3 days at a time on the weekends to go to meets so just make sure if that happens to have someone that you can teach to feed/check on the little girl/guy if you have to go away for a meet or anything.

 

[Olimpia]

I am currently in college and have 6 chameleons and a dog and do just fine. The typical adult cage you'd like for one of these bigger chams (panthers, veileds, etc) is only 2'wx2'dx4't so that doesn't really occupy that much floor space. You'd need to put it on a little table or something but it's not a huge amount of floor space to dedicate to a cage.

I think that the best think you can invest in if you get a cham is an automatic misting system like the Mistking. There is NOTHING that beats the peace of mind that knowing that if you have to be at a study group all morning or practice all afternoon, your chameleon is still getting the water and humidity he needs. What's more, I leave the apartment all weekend and don't even have to worry about them because as long as the resevoir is full of water (most of my guys only eat every other day, so going one extra day without food is not going to hurt them) I can leave without worrying about finding a sitter on short notice. Or I can sleep in after a long test day and not have to get up at 7:30am to give them their mist misting of the day. You know, just stuff like that, it helps a lot to have everything as automatic as possible if you want it to be less difficult.

But there are quite a few college and high school students on here who successfully keep chameleons so there's no reason you shouldn't be able to as long as you know what you're getting into.

 

[Ace]

I am currently in college and have 6 chameleons and a dog and do just fine. The typical adult cage you'd like for one of these bigger chams (panthers, veileds, etc) is only 2'wx2'dx4't so that doesn't really occupy that much floor space. You'd need to put it on a little table or something but it's not a huge amount of floor space to dedicate to a cage.

I think that the best think you can invest in if you get a cham is an automatic misting system like the Mistking. There is NOTHING that beats the peace of mind that knowing that if you have to be at a study group all morning or practice all afternoon, your chameleon is still getting the water and humidity he needs. What's more, I leave the apartment all weekend and don't even have to worry about them because as long as the resevoir is full of water (most of my guys only eat every other day, so going one extra day without food is not going to hurt them) I can leave without worrying about finding a sitter on short notice. Or I can sleep in after a long test day and not have to get up at 7:30am to give them their mist misting of the day. You know, just stuff like that, it helps a lot to have everything as automatic as possible if you want it to be less difficult.

But there are quite a few college and high school students on here who successfully keep chameleons so there's no reason you shouldn't be able to as long as you know what you're getting into.

couldnt have said it better myself

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I have 5 and I'm in vet school...talk about a busy schedule! You just need to find a good setup that works for you. And start with a more hardy species like a veiled chameleon. There are plenty of people on here to give you really great advice to help you out!

 

[morpheon]

I have 5 and I'm in vet school...talk about a busy schedule! You just need to find a good setup that works for you. And start with a more hardy species like a veiled chameleon. There are plenty of people on here to give you really great advice to help you out!

I understand that you are eager to give tips to people, but please don't be in a hurry to name species my friend. We don't know yet how much room he has for a chameleon, nor the temperatures yet. Therefore, if he decides to buy a Calyptratus like you suggested, but only has 1ftx1ftx2ft available, we'll have another chameleon that needs to be relocated or simply dead... And what if his night temperatures drop under 15 celcius??

I'm sure that in vet school they teach you that people need animals that fit to their lifestyle, not the opposite, and since we don't know much of his lifestyle, we can't suggest any species yet.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I understand that you are eager to give tips to people, but please don't be in a hurry to name species my friend. We don't know yet how much room he has for a chameleon, nor the temperatures yet. Therefore, if he decides to buy a Calyptratus like you suggested, but only has 1ftx1ftx2ft available, we'll have another chameleon that needs to be relocated or simply dead... And what if his night temperatures drop under 15 celcius??

I'm sure that in vet school they teach you that people need animals that fit to their lifestyle, not the opposite, and since we don't know much of his lifestyle, we can't suggest any species yet.

Well it's a good thing I have you to teach me better than anyone else I was merely commenting on my busy schedule to say it is not impossible to have pets at the same time. I was in no way implying that because I am in vet school I have better advice than anyone else on here or that I am any kind of expert. And I think you will agree that 90% of the time the 'experts' like yourself will always suggest a veiled for someone new to chameleons. I did not say they HAD to get a veiled, it was simply a suggestion. Since the OP did not respond with further details I thought I would throw in my reasonable two cents for a newbie. Given more details I would be the first to admit another species may be a better fit if needed.

I hope you can forgive me for trying to be helpful and commenting on how nice the people here on the forums *usually* are...

 

[jcal]

Well it's a good thing I have you to teach me better than anyone else I was merely commenting on my busy schedule to say it is not impossible to have pets at the same time. I was in no way implying that because I am in vet school I have better advice than anyone else on here or that I am any kind of expert. And I think you will agree that 90% of the time the 'experts' like yourself will always suggest a veiled for someone new to chameleons. I did not say they HAD to get a veiled, it was simply a suggestion. Since the OP did not respond with further details I thought I would throw in my reasonable two cents for a newbie. Given more details I would be the first to admit another species may be a better fit if needed.

I hope you can forgive me for trying to be helpful and commenting on how nice the people here on the forums *usually* are...

was thinking the same thing. i agree we dont know the exact square footage, but its safe to make suggestions and have the op decide for themselves if they decide they can only have pygmies.

 

[morpheon]

It's Ok Ferre. I also have been through that phase before, and I can't deny that your initial goal was to help. I just believe that your role, as a futur "real" expert, you will most likely have to educate your clients more than choosing for them! And even if most people do something, your goal should be to do what should be done, not what is the most common thing to do!

The problem with telling people what to do, is that people don't integrate what they learned if they can't choose for themselves. This leads to problems in reproducing what they learned, and they won't be able to apply the same solution to other similar problems (and slightly adapt the solutions, if needed). For example, if you tell a young woman who's pregnant that she shouldn't drink nor smoke while being pregnant, she may still smoke and drink as usual. However, if you take your time to tell the lady that it can cause health problems, psychological problems, and more, then she might decide to stop smoking and drinking! And if she gets pregnant again, she has higher chances to not smoke and drink again!

The same here could be said about the chameleons: if you simply tell the guy to get a Calyptratus, he most likely will. But it may not be appropriate. In other cases, it might be appropriate, but when it will be time to buy another chameleon, he won't be able to judge by himself what kind of chameleon he should buy and what kind he shouldn't!

You know Ferre, i am saying that to you, but i believe that a fair number of users here should listen to what i just wrote. I caught you this time, but it could have been a hundred other people. I guess i just have faith in you, and hope that you will be able to apply this principle to the thousands of clients you will have in the future!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

It's Ok Ferre. I also have been through that phase before, and I can't deny that your initial goal was to help. I just believe that your role, as a futur "real" expert, you will most likely have to educate your clients more than choosing for them!

I know better than most about the problems with people not being able to choose appropriate pets for their lifestyle. I don't even need my professional degree to see the millions of animals that die each day from people making poor decisions when it comes to their pets. I was not choosing their pet for them, I don't think anyone would say that I was. The op didn't offer much info to go on, however I would rather see someone that is at least willing to learn (since they asked for advice here on the forums) start with at least a suggestion of a species they may be able to handle instead of rushing out with no idea of where to start, getting a difficult species they can't handle and watching it die. It is my job as a "future expert" to guide people into the right decision, not to make it for them, instead of just throwing up my hands and saying "I can't tell you the most perfect solution so go find the coolest thing out there and we'll see if it makes it!" They asked for suggestions, I offered reasonable advice to get them looking at options. If the op looks up veileds and decides that's not what they want then they can come back and ask for more advice, like I hope they would regardless of what species they're interested in.

It's Ok Ferre. I also have been through that phase before, and I can't deny that your initial goal was to help. I just believe that your role, as a futur "real" expert, you will most likely have to educate your clients more than choosing for them!
You know Ferre, i am saying that to you, but i believe that a fair number of users here should listen to what i just wrote. I caught you this time, but it could have been a hundred other people. I guess i just have faith in you, and hope that you will be able to apply this principle to the thousands of clients you will have in the future!

This is what pissed me off: that you "caught me". It's not like I told them to go get a Parsons and keep it in a critter keeper. Go police someone else since you think that's your job. If you want to offer criticism try not to lecture your "victim" like a two year old and they may just listen to you.

P.S. This is why I hate forums; there's always someone ready to jump on everyone else to distribute their holy advice from on high for no apparent reason. And the stereotype still stands - they can never type worth a darn.

 

[Julirs]

My 2 cents-for the OP only. I would not even get a chameleon with your current lifestyle. It would be something you would have to worry about, and right now it just is not a good fit. You will have plenty of time in your life when you are more settled and have more time to dedicate to these care intensive animals. That may not be what you wanted to hear, but being a student I am sure you will move, you will want to take vacations, and you probably don't have the money (or have better things to spend it on) for exotic Vet bills.

 

[Jamelon]

My 2 cents-for the OP only. I would not even get a chameleon with your current lifestyle. It would be something you would have to worry about, and right now it just is not a good fit. You will have plenty of time in your life when you are more settled and have more time to dedicate to these care intensive animals. That may not be what you wanted to hear, but being a student I am sure you will move, you will want to take vacations, and you probably don't have the money (or have better things to spend it on) for exotic Vet bills.

I completly agree with Julirs, im in university and got super excited about my chameleon, i did alot of research over the summer and got my chameleon in september. Its not necessarily hard work but it takes alot of careful planning and maintaining certain things such as humidity, you can keep these things set if you spend a little money by getting a misting system, and being a student a misting system is a bit expensive for me haha, but xmas is right around the corner so that might be an idea . Chameleons are awesome creatures Give it a try There are smaller species of chameleon, take a look at Rudis chameleons and carpet chameleons. Just make sure that you do your research on the specific species you are looking at purchasing. Good luck!!

 

[Ace]

It's Ok Ferre. I also have been through that phase before, and I can't deny that your initial goal was to help. I just believe that your role, as a futur "real" expert, you will most likely have to educate your clients more than choosing for them! And even if most people do something, your goal should be to do what should be done, not what is the most common thing to do!

The problem with telling people what to do, is that people don't integrate what they learned if they can't choose for themselves. This leads to problems in reproducing what they learned, and they won't be able to apply the same solution to other similar problems (and slightly adapt the solutions, if needed). For example, if you tell a young woman who's pregnant that she shouldn't drink nor smoke while being pregnant, she may still smoke and drink as usual. However, if you take your time to tell the lady that it can cause health problems, psychological problems, and more, then she might decide to stop smoking and drinking! And if she gets pregnant again, she has higher chances to not smoke and drink again!

The same here could be said about the chameleons: if you simply tell the guy to get a Calyptratus, he most likely will. But it may not be appropriate. In other cases, it might be appropriate, but when it will be time to buy another chameleon, he won't be able to judge by himself what kind of chameleon he should buy and what kind he shouldn't!

You know Ferre, i am saying that to you, but i believe that a fair number of users here should listen to what i just wrote. I caught you this time, but it could have been a hundred other people. I guess i just have faith in you, and hope that you will be able to apply this principle to the thousands of clients you will have in the future!

I know better than most about the problems with people not being able to choose appropriate pets for their lifestyle. I don't even need my professional degree to see the millions of animals that die each day from people making poor decisions when it comes to their pets. I was not choosing their pet for them, I don't think anyone would say that I was. The op didn't offer much info to go on, however I would rather see someone that is at least willing to learn (since they asked for advice here on the forums) start with at least a suggestion of a species they may be able to handle instead of rushing out with no idea of where to start, getting a difficult species they can't handle and watching it die. It is my job as a "future expert" to guide people into the right decision, not to make it for them, instead of just throwing up my hands and saying "I can't tell you the most perfect solution so go find the coolest thing out there and we'll see if it makes it!" They asked for suggestions, I offered reasonable advice to get them looking at options. If the op looks up veileds and decides that's not what they want then they can come back and ask for more advice, like I hope they would regardless of what species they're interested in.



This is what pissed me off: that you "caught me". It's not like I told them to go get a Parsons and keep it in a critter keeper. Go police someone else since you think that's your job. If you want to offer criticism try not to lecture your "victim" like a two year old and they may just listen to you.

P.S. This is why I hate forums; there's always someone ready to jump on everyone else to distribute their holy advice from on high for no apparent reason. And the stereotype still stands - they can never type worth a darn.

not this again...(sigh)...i think Morpheon was saying it sincerely, and i feel that ferretinmyshoes, read it in offensive tone....call me naive, but neither chose the best of words to phrase something and not get a "no offense" reaction out of it...lately things were calming down, but there is always a little "disagreeable discussion"...

whats that old saying..."can't we all just get along"...im beginning to feel we are becomeing more like chameleons than people....only "tolerating" other peoples company, instead of enjoying one another like people should...im sorry but i just want to vent.......and my apologies it had to b irrelevant to the OP's thread....

 

[laurie]

Welcome to the forum. This forum is home to lots of people with lots of opinions and knowledge. Often we don't all agree, but each of us is trying to help in our way. Getting lots of differing opinions just opens up more possibilities for you to think about.

I would say as a college student, you can become a very successful chameleon keeper, however as Julirs said it is a lot to take on while you are in school. I could not have balanced all the stuff I did in college and taken proper care of a chameleon. But you are not me, and only you can decide what time, resources, life style changes or adjustments you are willing or able to make.

That said where you live should help narrow down the chameleons you consider. If you analyze the needs of different species of chameleons, and what you can provide temperature, humidity, space, attention, etc. you should be able to better discuss those you have narrowed it down to. Or just tell us a lot of that information and we can all give you some opinions on what might be the perfect chameleon for you.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

not this again...(sigh)...i think Morpheon was saying it sincerely, and i feel that ferretinmyshoes, read it in offensive tone....call me naive, but neither chose the best of words to phrase something and not get a "no offense" reaction out of it...lately things were calming down, but there is always a little "disagreeable discussion"...

whats that old saying..."can't we all just get along"...im beginning to feel we are becomeing more like chameleons than people....only "tolerating" other peoples company, instead of enjoying one another like people should...im sorry but i just want to vent.......and my apologies it had to b irrelevant to the OP's thread....

I agree this little dispute was excessive and I apologize for my part of it. I hate this part of forums also and hate to contribute to it. While I understood morpheon's point his condescending tone really ticked me off and I'll be the first to admit I'm more irritable than normal right now because I'm sick as a dog. Sorry again to everyone else for flaring up.

 

[laurie]

I agree this little dispute was excessive and I apologize for my part of it. I hate this part of forums also and hate to contribute to it. While I understood morpheon's point his condescending tone really ticked me off and I'll be the first to admit I'm more irritable than normal right now because I'm sick as a dog. Sorry again to everyone else for flaring up.

Hey thanks for admitting we all make these same type of overreacting to stuff. You are allowed to be irritable, I am sorry you are sick. Also Morpheon is Canadain and speaks french, so some times what he says is a bit lost in the translation. He really is a sweetheart, just like you are.

 

[Sang]

My 2 cents-for the OP only. I would not even get a chameleon with your current lifestyle. It would be something you would have to worry about, and right now it just is not a good fit. You will have plenty of time in your life when you are more settled and have more time to dedicate to these care intensive animals. That may not be what you wanted to hear, but being a student I am sure you will move, you will want to take vacations, and you probably don't have the money (or have better things to spend it on) for exotic Vet bills.

gotta be honest, julirs hit that on the head... i have to have everything automated to even do what i do now... i have to sign back up for school soon and will not h ave as much time to do what i need with my chams, not to mention vacation.. its almost impossible to find someone i trust to come to my home and feed/care/correct anything the animals may need.