asongforyou
Member
Now, that I have a blue bar... I want a red bar. When will this addiction end?? I even did the math for the finances for an additional cham. *sigh*
Will it ever end?
- Thread starter asongforyou
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asongforyou
Member
After that you'll be looking at nosybes,lol
Yes, I already have started looking
hahaha so bad....
laurie
Retired Moderator
I can tell you how it goes for some of us. I had just a couple, then wanted more, I lost a couple as I adapted them to living in the harsh weather of Montana. So I would get a few more, take in a few rescues, find out I was getting better at beating the weather, so now I could get more.
Then one day I realized my chams had gone from what I dearly loved to being work. Yes I still loved certain one's but a lot of it was just work. I started being very aware of not only which chams did the best in this environment, but which actually gave me personally the most pleasure. I have decided the chams I most enjoy are quads.
But I still get carried away, and side tract myself. A little over a year ago I bought a tiny baby mellers. They are neat, beautiful, and I had the room, so somehow I deserved that cham.
Turned out I bought a runt who needed lots of care and time I had not planned on. I spent so much time meeting every possible need Rah had that I had no idea how much i had came to love him until he died. I will never own another mellers because that little guy rocked my world when I lost him. Had I stuck to my plan I would not have had and loved Rah, but I might be closer to where I wanted to be. i would not give up my time with that beloved cham for anything.Next I bought a pair of the expensive imports from Germany. Why did I do it? The were new to the US, looked really beautiful, and I could have something then that might not be available again for a long time. Enter a pair of B. transvaalsense. Their care is different that the others I keep. Here are 2 tiny little chams for me to stress over every day. And stress I did and do. Another impulse buy? Yes, hubby got them as a present because I talked about how cool they were and he thought that meant I needed them. Sweet but I really didn't need them, I do love them now but I can still admit it was a purchase I should not have made.
Back to what I love, I have 3 quads, and each one is a part of who I am. They are all different and interact, for lack of a better work, with me differently. My game plan is to have either 2.3 or 3.5 quads and some babies each year. Not lots of babies, just a few.
Chams are so fascinating to me that I always want more. One of my friends is bringing in some campani direct from Maddy. I have always thought those were the most beautiful chams around. So I almost bought another beautiful pair of chams that doesn't match my plan, but they are so beautiful.
On and on it goes. I have kept a number of species on the way to finally deciding what I want, but even now if I am not careful I will stray of my path because too many is never enough as there is just "this one" I really need.....
SarahcoadunatioZac
New Member
They are indeed addicting, I only have the one (I've wanted chameleons my whole life and finally got one.) First it was exciting, then stressful, then painful, then regretful but I love the guy dearly. My next purchase will be some carpets, but I will force myself to wait till the dreadful day my Melon passes.
Maybe a campani, they are indeed beautiful...
Maybe a campani, they are indeed beautiful...
laurie
Retired Moderator
MollyT
New Member
I am new to chameleons, too, but have really wanted one most of my life. Since getting my guy, I am already planning my next one, which I plan to get in about a year. After reading this thread, though, I just HAD to look up those campanis, as I'd never seen one before. Now I just *HAVE* to have one of them! I've definitely been bitten by the chameleon bug!
Now I just *HAVE* to have one of them! I've definitely been bitten by the chameleon bug!
asongforyou
Member
I can tell you how it goes for some of us. I had just a couple, then wanted more, I lost a couple as I adapted them to living in the harsh weather of Montana. So I would get a few more, take in a few rescues, find out I was getting better at beating the weather, so now I could get more.
Then one day I realized my chams had gone from what I dearly loved to being work. Yes I still loved certain one's but a lot of it was just work. I started being very aware of not only which chams did the best in this environment, but which actually gave me personally the most pleasure. I have decided the chams I most enjoy are quads.
But I still get carried away, and side tract myself. A little over a year ago I bought a tiny baby mellers. They are neat, beautiful, and I had the room, so somehow I deserved that cham.
Next I bought a pair of the expensive imports from Germany. Why did I do it? The were new to the US, looked really beautiful, and I could have something then that might not be available again for a long time. Enter a pair of B. transvaalsense. Their care is different that the others I keep. Here are 2 tiny little chams for me to stress over every day. And stress I did and do. Another impulse buy? Yes, hubby got them as a present because I talked about how cool they were and he thought that meant I needed them. Sweet but I really didn't need them, I do love them now but I can still admit it was a purchase I should not have made.
Back to what I love, I have 3 quads, and each one is a part of who I am. They are all different and interact, for lack of a better work, with me differently. My game plan is to have either 2.3 or 3.5 quads and some babies each year. Not lots of babies, just a few.
Chams are so fascinating to me that I always want more. One of my friends is bringing in some campani direct from Maddy. I have always thought those were the most beautiful chams around. So I almost bought another beautiful pair of chams that doesn't match my plan, but they are so beautiful.
On and on it goes. I have kept a number of species on the way to finally deciding what I want, but even now if I am not careful I will stray of my path because too many is never enough as there is just "this one" I really need.....
I think the most difficult aspect that's keeping me from getting another one RIGHT now is time. I have the space and I can afford to get one. But I'm so busy I don't think I can enjoy all of them.
They're gorgeous!!! I think this thread was a bad idea LOL.
Jay Sick
Avid Member
As a kid I had chams growing up when I moved out in 2003 I had a Sambava Panther he was amazing he was a year when I got him and lived till 2009 so he had a long life After that I was to crushed to get another cham I also reached a peek in my career of music and entertainment Promotion and was traveling and working like a dog. This was up until a year ago. All of my work is now settled in NJ I got one Jackson and rescued a veil all in one day that actually was almost a year and a half ago. I now live in what I would call Mini Madagascar. If you look up my old threads you will see the herd I have and I just added to sail fins male and female in a hope to actually have some captive breed and born one's.
Also I am easily over 10,000 dollars in what I have spent in a year so what was suppose to be a new car became a herd of spoiled brat chams who live and eat better than I do. Funny thing is I just ran out of room if I had more room me and my girlfriend would have a Meller colony, and a Bradypodion breeding project but at this point every cham has enough pace and it does not look like a hoarder lives in my house.
To go even further would be to tell you we were discussing were in the US
we would move were it was perfect outside weather for chams SO YEA THIS CAN BECOME REAL ADDICTING .
Also I am easily over 10,000 dollars in what I have spent in a year so what was suppose to be a new car became a herd of spoiled brat chams who live and eat better than I do. Funny thing is I just ran out of room if I had more room me and my girlfriend would have a Meller colony, and a Bradypodion breeding project but at this point every cham has enough pace and it does not look like a hoarder lives in my house.
To go even further would be to tell you we were discussing were in the US
we would move were it was perfect outside weather for chams SO YEA THIS CAN BECOME REAL ADDICTING .
I recommend Laurie's approach. Find a species which you enjoy and which is compatible with the region where you live, and then stick with it as best as you can. Try keeping other species, but stick to your chosen species as much as possible. Ultimately, if people stick with a species for several years, without getting burned out and leaving the hobby, this will be best for our captive breeding in the U.S.
Of course, I haven't practiced what I preach. My chameleon keeping has been all over the map. But I've now settled on keeping two or three species of pygmies and a couple smaller Cameroon species, and I hope to stick with these for as long as I continue in this hobby.
Of course, I haven't practiced what I preach. My chameleon keeping has been all over the map. But I've now settled on keeping two or three species of pygmies and a couple smaller Cameroon species, and I hope to stick with these for as long as I continue in this hobby.
SarahcoadunatioZac
New Member
Now don't start tempting me again, you know I am not that strong.
Sorry! My knowledge of chameleon species was "Old World" Jackson, Veiled, Panther. Had no idea about pygmies epically this "Mountain Jewel". I really hope those sold breed properly so in 5-8 years I can get me a pair.
Also...
If we could get some captive dwarf leaf chameleons going, I'd have thousands. They are my absolute favorite. The Brookesia micra, wasn't it recently discovered? I'm sure they'll never breed them for sale, but I can hope right?
Yeah Laurie, I suddenly feel that we have something in common..
FrankTheTank
Established Member
I know I want more...it's just a question of which one and when. I just had a son born august 2nd so I can't really afford one now, but I want him to be able to grow up and enjoy and respect these beautiful creatures. So maybe I let him pick out the next one when he gets old enough
Psychobunny
Avid Member
Well, I pretty much have to keep reminding myself that 4 chams is already pushing it!! In order to afford them, I need to breed and raise the feeders. That's the biggest down side for me, because I HATE having to have tubs of cricks and roaches!!!
Raising silkies and horns are harder to do, but a little more interesting, like a little nature science project!!
My dentist told me I must be an entomologist
Raising silkies and horns are harder to do, but a little more interesting, like a little nature science project!!
My dentist told me I must be an entomologist
Well, I pretty much have to keep reminding myself that 4 chams is already pushing it!! In order to afford them, I need to breed and raise the feeders. That's the biggest down side for me, because I HATE having to have tubs of cricks and roaches!!!
Raising silkies and horns are harder to do, but a little more interesting, like a little nature science project!!
My dentist told me I must be an entomologist
I don't want to encourage you, but ODD numbers are more common in nature
! That's why I have 1!!! If I had room, I'd have a setup like Hoj's. (And no food for my wife and I)
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
I highly recommend only one or possibly two if you have the time. When you get too many you don't have the time to give each the individual attention that they deserve. I just had Luie for a year before I got Camille. Luie is spoiled rotten since he was the only one for so long. Then my daughter left all the panthers on me and all of my chameleons want to constantly be with me. They all want attention and to be held and to ride around on my head/shoulder. Somebody is reaching and grabing for me all the time and I feel so bad that I have to split the time between them. I only wish I could clone me so each one would have their only personal person.
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asongforyou
Member
That means I have to try different species to find out what I like. Almost like a trial and error. I wish I can work from home. That would allow me to get more lol.
rsepiphyte
Established Member
Laurie , that was beautifully stated. Beware that your avocation becomes your vocation. Ruth
laurie
Retired Moderator
1...2....12 its all the same
Its all about what you feel you can handle and dedicate the time for. I would rather keep 1 chameleon proper than 20 with insuficient care.
Yes sweetie, I know you would rather keep one with proper care, the issue here is you are rapidly heading for keeping the 20 and still with excellent care. At some point Laura will kick your butt. (isn't it nice guys i am named laurie and am a good friend, his other half is named Laura. He is fairly safe mixing names
)
maxttu
New Member
Yes sweetie, I know you would rather keep one with proper care, the issue here is you are rapidly heading for keeping the 20 and still with excellent care. At some point Laura will kick your butt. (isn't it nice guys i am named laurie and am a good friend, his other half is named Laura. He is fairly safe mixing names
If I didn't know any better, I'd say y'all have a forum romance going on!!
