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Beginning Reptile Owner? Start Simple | #ReptileCare

6/24/2015

9 Comments

 
This post is sponsored by petMD Reptile Center and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Reptile Ownership, but Cascadian Nomads only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. petMD and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.
A Chameleon, any reptile or pet should never be an impulse purchase #ReptileCare
Typist: Bethany
On a routine visit to the pet store for the usual pet supplies, I fell in love. Rocking slightly on her branch as she stared at me from her cage on the counter next to the cash register, the perfect spiral of her tail was the same soft green with blue and reddish brown speckles as the rest of her fabulously bumpy skin. The bright red "Sale" sign taped to the cage bars clashed with the peaceful scene of plastic plants, wooden branches, water fountain and viridescent chameleon it contained. I brought this chameleon, her cage and all it's contents home on an impulse. I had cared for dogs, fish, rodents, snails, insects, cats and birds as pets, so I thought to myself, how much different could reptile care be? Yeah. In my defense, I was a young college student just beginning my journey as an adult pet owner. But there is no excuse for taking reptile ownership or any pet care lightly. Everything about this chameleon impulse purchase set me up for failure. Among those was that the pet store sold me the wrong enclosure for the environment this pet needed and I had no idea what I was doing. It is in honor of the chameleon who I failed to properly care for that I am writing about responsibly caring for reptile pets. When I did my best and failed at caring for my chameleon, there was no easy access to information on how to successfully care for a snake, turtle, bearded dragon, lizard, tortoise or chameleon. I want anyone and everyone who falls in love with bumpy skin, beady eyes and cold blood like I did to never have to experience my heartbreak.

Who wouldn't love this face? But chameleons take an experienced reptile owner to properly care for them! #ReptileCare
With the fantastic information I have found on the petMD® Reptile Center the type of reptile I started with is not an appropriate reptile for a beginner. There are so many things I wish I had known that before that fateful impulse chameleon purchase but that one fact alone would have been extremely helpful. I have always known that taking any pets lifespan, housing, feeding and veterinary needs into consideration are of the utmost importance. But I learned the hard way that reptile care also involves detailed knowledge of the ideal environment for the reptile. All it took was one weekend away from my chameleon for her health to deteriorate beyond repair. The friend who was watching her mixed up which lights were supposed to be on when and my chameleon didn't experience the cold she needed at night. I took her to the vet, followed all instructions and did the best I could for her but it wasn't enough. Even though this chameleon was not the right pet for a new reptile owner, she was a lot of fun. Enjoying her slow, rocking walk up my arm, watching her swing from her tail, her change of skin color for camouflage while hunting worms and crickets and when that tongue came out to eat, oh what a fun pet she was! Maybe someday I will be lucky enough to have reptile pets again. Thanks to petMD I know where I should start and have the resources to properly care for what ever reptile I carefully and thoughtfully choose.
Are you considering a reptile ownership?
Have you had a reptile pets that would have had a better or longer life if you been more informed about proper reptile care?

How To Choose A Reptile
Reptile Purchase Center
Reptile Center Brought to you by: PetSmart
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9 Comments
Bell Fur Zoo link
6/23/2015 11:47:01 pm

Our human brother wants a reptile so we will be sure to share this information!

xoxo, Ginger, Matt & Matilda

Reply
Bethany
6/24/2015 03:34:36 pm

Oh what great timing! I am sure the petMD Reptile Center will be helpful. I hope to read about your new reptilian family member on your blog sometime soon.

Reply
Ellen Pilch link
6/24/2015 04:25:42 am

I have a turtle, I got a pair on the street in NYC for $10 when they were babies, 12 years ago. One died 2 years ago, but this one is doing well. At the time, I didn't now it was illegal to have them under 4 inches and I had to learn a lot to keep them alive.

Reply
Bethany
6/24/2015 03:37:41 pm

I just learned about the 4" law at #BlogPawsChat last night! I thought I would just do a learn as I go with my chameleon too but they are just so fragile. A turtle is a much better reptile for a beginner. I am glad you are still enjoying the company of one. Other illegally sold turtles probably aren't so lucky to be in a home with an avid animal lover like you!

Reply
Lauren Miller link
6/24/2015 06:22:18 am

I love chameleons, too. They are so cool! I wish I had the knowledge and ability to care for one. Reptiles are neat but I don't think they are for me. I'd be too afraid I would do something wrong and accidentally kill it. :(

Reply
Bethany
6/24/2015 03:42:36 pm

The doing something wrong fear is strong with keeping any pet but it does seem like reptiles are a particularly difficult hobby to master. I would like to try a reptile again someday but maybe a bearded dragon or leopard gecko. I will likely stick to admiring other peoples chameleons. I just don't think I could go through the heartbreak of failing to properly care for a chameleon again.

Reply
Abby Chesnut link
6/25/2015 11:20:54 am

ooo chameleons are so cool. I have heard they are difficult to keep so I will probably be getting a bearded dragon sometime way in the future. lol

Reply
Kelley link
6/26/2015 06:42:55 am

Some reptiles require a lot more work than others. Years ago my husband had an iguana and didn't realize how quickly it grew. We eventually had to rehome her. She was ornery and hated me, and I was glad to see her go to a home with an experienced reptile owner. We now have a bearded dragon and I love him. He's got a lot of personality and is easy to care for. He also allows me to dress him up and post pictures of him on my blog.

Reply
Jeanne Melanson link
7/13/2015 10:19:04 am

I'm so glad you wrote this post. I have a Bearded Dragon named Shirley. She's my first reptile. I've wanted an iguana since I was in high school, um ... 45-ish years ago (am I really that old?), but didn't make the move until last year. After doing some research, I learned that an iguana is not a good reptile pet to start with, and that the Bearded Dragon was a better choice. I was glad that I found that out before making my purchase. It's so important to find out what needs and requirements reptiles need. Like you say, the knowledge is not as common as with dogs and cats. Thanks again!

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