What's the deal with the subreddit for chams?

[Jesspete]

I have been a lurker on chameleon forums for a bit, and recently signed up for a username. However, I stumbled upon reddit's chameleon forum. Perhaps I've been on here too long, but it seems like all of their "experts" recommend completely different husbandry practices.

I have seen chams don't need misting repeatedly. I've also seen a thinly veiled reference to "that other place with chameleon discussion" (I assumed it was this forum) and how everyone here spreads wrong information.

How can they be so different?

 

[JacksJill]

I think a lot of the confusion comes from people talking about different species of chameleon at the same time. They can have different requirements. Another difference comes from the region the keeper lives in. A keeper in Arizona's desert will have to do things differently than someone in humid Florida. Keeping chams indoors is different than housing them outdoors. There are a lot of variables and only a few absolutes.

 

[Jesspete]

Have you browsed much over there? Their "experts" seem to paint a pretty broad picture sometimes. One person was asking for help, and they filled out a care sheet, like is used here to outline husbandry, and they were laughing about what a waste of time it was. I found it quite odd.

 

[JacksJill]

It sounds rude. I know that sheet has saved many chameleons from lingering illness and death.
There is a collection of knowledge and experience here that would be difficult to match anywhere else. They don't always agree but there is always something new to learn in the debate. Right now the friendly debate is on whether less daytime humidity and high night time humidity is better than the traditional multiple times misting during the day and drying out at night.

 

[Jesspete]

Right now the friendly debate is on whether less daytime humidity and high night time humidity is better than the traditional multiple times misting during the day and drying out at night.

It's funny you say that. I was just reading some comments on another thread about misting at night and was wondering how I missed it.

 

[JoshD49]

Honestly is the fact that people ask questions and some people are not happy with the answer even if they know it's the right thing to do. They will then look other places till they find the answer they want and stay. I could see that being the reason for the spur references to ChamForums. I'm not saying there isn't multiple ways to do things but if your asking people who have done it for a long time they are going to tell you what worked for them.

 

[Syreptyon]

The chameleon subreddit is a dark, dark, terrible place. Their mods INSIST that it is fine to make your chameleon drink out of a shot glass placed underneath the basking spot and will hear absolutely no other opinions about it. ...Even though literally every reputable breeder I've ever encountered would say never to do this. Chameleons not drinking standing water is Chameleons 101!! They're just lazy and looking for shortcuts. It's honestly reprehensible.

Now don't get me wrong, I spend like half of every day on reddit, so it's not a dig at the site as a whole. But ohhhh boy, is the chameleon subreddit a place for spurned keepers who didn't like having their husbandry criticized by people who actually know what they're doing Glad you mentioned it actually, I've been wanting to vent about that place for a while now

 

[Chameleomom]

Love it here. This Chameleon Forum is the best ever. We really love and care about our animals

 

[Remkon]

I usually only go to reddit for 'nerd stuff' and to get insulted...
Not much other reason to go there imho...

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I was researching all the different types of chams that can be legally bought or imported to the USA and somehow wound up over there, took me about 3 seconds to turn and run for the hills!

 

[timw1]

How can they be so different?

I find myself asking the same question all the time. It seems they defer to a guy who they consider an expert. There is a standard of care in our hobby that has been proven by experts and widely accepted. The advise given by the Reddit "Guru" more times then not conflicts with the standard of care widely accepted in our hobby.

 

[JimO]

I usually only go to reddit for 'nerd stuff' and to get insulted...
Not much other reason to go there imho...

Lmao! Thanks for the laugh.

 

[DonKeesh]

I have had many conflicts with the mods of that subreddit about giving wrong info to new keepers. I have shared multiple reputable sources information and tried to be nice about the situation but always get banned or silenced. The mods actually tell new keepers that misting is BAD for chameleons... INSANE. Its one thing to disagree about an aspect of care, its entirely different to tell new keepers information that is completely wrong and endangers the cham. We need to take it upon ourselves to combat this misinformation for the betterment of the community.

 

[Jesspete]

I am just so grateful that I didn't stumble upon their info first, when researching.

 

[DonKeesh]

I also came to the realization that a big reason they say misting is bad, is because none of them have any drainage systems in place.

 

[timw1]

I also came to the realization that a big reason they say misting is bad, is because none of them have any drainage systems in place.

I would bet you are right

 

[DonKeesh]

Having a discussion with the mods now about lack of misting, and setting up new keepers for failure. Biggest argument is that misting encourages bacteria growth and then the chams lick the same bacteria laden spots on branches. Is there any data to back this up? Or does daily cleaning and extended misting sessions correct this concern? My bigger concern with lack of misting is poor hygiene and eye health.

 

[timw1]

The enclosure should dry out between mistings, I don't see their point.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I think a lot of the confusion comes from people talking about different species of chameleon at the same time. They can have different requirements. Another difference comes from the region the keeper lives in. A keeper in Arizona's desert will have to do things differently than someone in humid Florida. Keeping chams indoors is different than housing them outdoors. There are a lot of variables and only a few absolutes.

Exactly!

 

[Velanoris]

The chameleon subreddit is a dark, dark, terrible place. Their mods INSIST that it is fine to make your chameleon drink out of a shot glass placed underneath the basking spot and will hear absolutely no other opinions about it. ...Even though literally every reputable breeder I've ever encountered would say never to do this. Chameleons not drinking standing water is Chameleons 101!! They're just lazy and looking for shortcuts. It's honestly reprehensible.

Now don't get me wrong, I spend like half of every day on reddit, so it's not a dig at the site as a whole. But ohhhh boy, is the chameleon subreddit a place for spurned keepers who didn't like having their husbandry criticized by people who actually know what they're doing Glad you mentioned it actually, I've been wanting to vent about that place for a while now

Seems to me like you're the ignorant one who shoots down ideas or other ways of proper husbandry. Every single person that has properly offered their Cham a drinking glass (not under their basking spot like you said) has had much success with them drinking it and staying full hydrated. Misting as a sole source of hydration requires a ton of misting causing stagnant water to sit everywhere leading to bacteria growth.