The Inspiration
The name of this website is inspired by a famous quote from Shakespeare's play Hamlet, in which the title character refers to the famous myth of air-eating chameleons. Today we know that chameleons live on more than just air, but a great deal of misinformation still remains. Because reptiles are fairly new to the pet trade and perhaps because of the way cold blooded creatures have long been treated, concepts of working reptile care are relatively new. This website is meant to introduce "simple common sense reptile care," which, especially in relation to chameleons, can be difficult to find.
The Content & Objective
There currently are no "black-and-white" or "right-and-wrong" rules of reptile care, and the goal of this site is certainly not to claim there are! There are many excellent sites covering the care of chameleons and other reptiles in captivity, and this site fully encourages people to read as much as possible (see links). The goal of The Chameleon's Dish is to offer information in a way that is very straightforward and accessible, to complement other existing resources. All care instructions and suggestions are given with no claims to absolute perfection, and customized care programs are encouraged. Remember, the basics provided here are only a starting point. All of the articles on this site change over time as expanding research alters our concepts of proper reptile care. The viewpoints expressed are not meant to discredit or rival those with differing opinions or experiences. The driving force behind this site is the sincere wish that all animals kept in captivity be treated with respect and compassion. The articles on this site are designed so that the equipment recommended reflects both quality and relative affordability, with the hope that anyone who finds their way here will be able to view the setups as workable, instead of giving up on research and just diving in. (learn more about products mentioned on this site)
The Author / Webmaster / Photographer
I have a life of experience working with animals, and a ongoing passion for reptiles. My favorite animals by far not surprisingly are chameleons. After keeping chameleons and other reptiles for many years, and spending time working in the pet industry "trenches" helping, listening to, and conversing with countless reptile enthusiasts, I felt it was time to "settle down" and make a home for my accumulated information, experiences, and passion to help better the lives of the many reptiles kept in captivity. When I found myself with a chunk of free time (which quickly slipped into not-so-free time) I buckled down and worked non-stop to create every aspect of this website. Having a deep interest in reptile photography has not hurt this ambition. Every photograph is taken with my own equipment, setups and animals, or those I've directly encountered.
Your Opinions and Viewpoints
This site comes from an American/Canadian perspective, but welcomes keepers worldwide to use this site, and of course, to share their tips and viewpoints. Your comments are always appreciated. This site is designed to be helpful - if you have feedback that you feel would help improve this site, please do share. And if you notice something that doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to email.
