Chameleons as Pets
© 2005-06 The Chameleon's DishAn Introduction
Chameleons all belong to the reptile family chamaeleonidae. Chameleons have many defining features, which vary species to species. It is very important to understand that the very characteristics that make chameleons so unique are also factors that account for the many specific needs which must be met in captivity in order for these animals to thrive. Chameleons as a whole have general requirements, which are discussed on this site. Specific needs will depend on species, and furthermore, the individual animal.
As pets, chameleons certainly are not for everyone. They don't appreciate frequent handling or too much human interaction, they can be pricey to keep, and require a fair amount of time and energy to care for. But for those of us that are addicted to their beauty, their personalities... it is all worth it.
Chameleons are often labeled as "delicate" animals because they react adversely to improper care. The truth is, other reptiles also suffer immensely from poor conditions, but often do not show stress in the same way. Chameleons are not as much delicate as they are different from other lizards. Keeping chameleons requires a great deal of reading, research and dedication. It takes a while to develop that special "chameleon keeping common sense" that is necessary to succeed in keeping healthy chameleons, especially if you have previous experience keeping other reptiles and are accustomed to a different set of guidelines. We are all still learning about the basic requirements of these beautiful animals in captivity. The best we can do is to provide them with our respect and the best care and supplies possible.
When I took home my first chameleon, it took me years of searching around for what often seemed to be illusive and unclear information (and plenty of unintentional mistakes) to feel like I was starting to get somewhere. Hopefully the information on this site can provide some of the basics that weren't readily available to me when I was starting out with chameleons.
