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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.
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.
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?
Have you had a reptile pets that would have had a better or longer life if you been more informed about proper reptile care?
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