When To Stop Worrying

[aleagueofherown]

Can someone tell me how long it took to wake up one day and be confident enough in their husbandry that they weren't peeking on their cham every 20 minutes to make sure they're still breathing?

(Ivy being super cute while sleeping)


I built this incredible bioactive enclosure with a huge help from the community here. I properly gutload, properly supplement, my lighting is great, and Ivy gets a good variety of feeders. I'm just always terrified I messed something up. Is this how it always is when owning a chameleon?

 

[ERKleRose]

She's so cute, and you're doing such an amazing job! I, personally, never stop worrying!

 

[nightanole]

Ill let you know, going on 30 years so far. Some of my heat rocks and drippers are old enough to have doctorate degrees.

Some times i think they can see me though the crack in the door, and just dont care anymore.

 

[MissSkittles]

Well, let’s just say that if I’m having a hard time finding one of my chams, one of the first places I check is the bottom of the enclosure.

 

[Fchamel]

She looks so precious! And almost identical to Carly! Look!

 

[kinyonga]

The worry never stops no matter how many years you keep them....sorry to tell you that.

 

[aleagueofherown]

She's so cute, and you're doing such an amazing job! I, personally, never stop worrying!

I feel like you are forever my cheerleader, sweet friend! Thank you

Ill let you know, going on 30 years so far. Some of my heat rocks and drippers are old enough to have doctorate degrees.

Some times i think they can see me though the crack in the door, and just dont care anymore.

Seriously, I lost sleep in the beginning of coming to the forums because of how much I was doing wrong. Now I lose sleep over how much more I could be doing

Well, let’s just say that if I’m having a hard time finding one of my chams, one of the first places I check is the bottom of the enclosure.

I do the same thing I think my biggest concern at this time is I am not sure when to expect her to lay eggs, if at all. I've read up on all of it, she's got sufficient space but I truly don't know how old she was when I got her from LLL (of course they couldn't tell me her hatch date/I know better for next time to get a cham from someone reputable here on the forums).

She looks so precious! And almost identical to Carly! Look!

Awe she totally does look similar to Carly! I think most people here feel like female veiled chams all look the same she's no male Panther with showy colors, but I love her!

The worry never stops no matter how many years you keep them....sorry to tell you that.

*wishing I had asked this question before I got her*

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."wishing I had asked this question before I got her* "... Too late now...you already love her!

 

[ERKleRose]

I feel like you are forever my cheerleader, sweet friend! Thank you

No problem, anytime! And you've got this, be proud!

 

[Arpretty]

I have the same question!!!! Sounds like we're doomed ......but hopefully just doomed by our anxious minds while blessed with successful chameleon experiences. <3

 

[Fchamel]

Awe she totally does look similar to Carly! I think most people here feel like female veiled chams all look the same she's no male Panther with showy colors, but I love her!

Yes! Carly sleeps in the same pose as yours most nights and looks legit identical. Females definitely look more similar to each other than makes.

 

[Ares05]

I agree with the above. I love my boy to death but the worry never stops They are complex creatures who need lots of attention (and worry) to help us stay aware and have a keen eye to possible issues... it's a blessing in disguise I think.

 

[aleagueofherown]

I agree with the above. I love my boy to death but the worry never stops They are complex creatures who need lots of attention (and worry) to help us stay aware and have a keen eye to possible issues... it's a blessing in disguise I think.

Keeps the brain sharp! Or... wrinkly I guess would be the proper terminology

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Can someone tell me how long it took to wake up one day and be confident enough in their husbandry that they weren't peeking on their cham every 20 minutes to make sure they're still breathing?

TBH, that hasn't happened. I try to smell the roses rather than look for aphids. If there are aphids, I know what to do and deal with them, but I don't stay up nights worrying about them.

First, I've been keeping reptiles on & off for over 50 years, and a true chameleon has been a goal for 60 years. I began my research a year & a half early, and even got a bearded dragon as a precursor (easier to care for). I joined this forum about a year ago, learned even more, asked my questions (or read threads by others with the same questions—I've made considerable use of the archives), set up & fine-tuned my enclosure, vetted breeders, and finally got my little dude six months later in December.

I think if I weren't confident, I wouldn't have gone through with it. That's just me.

At the beginning, I checked on him at lights-on, feeding times, and lights-off. While not out of worry or to make sure he's still breathing, I do watch him often for the very reasons I've wanted one since early childhood—I find them fascinating to watch, even if they're just sitting/basking and looking around with those turret eyes. I'm still not tired of watching him hunt & eat, changing color, exploring his enclosure & finding new routes of travel, and everything else the little knothead gets up to. I also watch my beardie and I've been watching my dogs & other pets my entire lifetime.

Well, let’s just say that if I’m having a hard time finding one of my chams, one of the first places I check is the bottom of the enclosure.

Until very recently, mine never went down there. If I can't find him within the first 10-15 seconds or so, first I congratulate him (in my head) for hiding so well. Then I look for him right in front of my nose, where he is more than half the time. The rest of the time, he has some favorite places to hide, and he always seems to be finding new places in his explorations and meanderings.

 

[PlanetRemulak]

I know this thread is a few months old, but I am really glad to see a question like this has been asked. I don’t even HAVE my chameleon yet - I won’t until November. I’m already stressing myself out to the max over an animal I haven’t officially even seen (the clutch I went with only just recently hatched. They’re still very, very tiny and will have a ways to go before they are separated from their clutch mates). Given that long-time keepers here are STILL admitting to worrying, I guess the rest of us are hopeless.

Definitely doesn’t help if you’re anxious to begin with.

 

[kinyonga]

Don't worry...just get the husbandry right and chances are all will be ok....and take a deep breath! @PlanetRemulak .

 

[Thatcher]

She's so cute, and you're doing such an amazing job! I, personally, never stop worrying!

Same but Peach Fuzz is doing amazing

 

[summerseeking]

I have a minor heart attack everyday when I can’t find my boy Blythe in his enclosure . It never fails. Not sure when I will believe he is in there even if he is no where to be found

 

[Thatcher]

I have a minor heart attack everyday when I can’t find my boy Blythe in his enclosure . It never fails. Not sure when I will believe he is in there even if he is no where to be found

Same!

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

just get the husbandry right and chances are all will be ok

+1. If you get a healthy animal (reputable breeder) and your husbandry is right, chances are very low anything bad will happen. If it does, it won't be your fault. You have a supportive community to help you deal with virtually any problem that may arise.