Someone please explain to my brother hes an idiot..

[AwesomeGuy376]

Okay, so this kid bought a milksnake a month ago and now decides he wants a chameleon... Now, if im not mistaken, a Chameleon is an expert level reptile. And hes never owned a lizard, only one snake.. He cant even tell me why he'd need a mesh cage (I was testing him, obviously cause glass stresses them out). He just got mad when he couldn't answer and told me to leave.. But im really concerned hes gonna kill this poor animal if he gets it. Is there anyone here that is willing to post and let my brother read it to prevent him from getting this thing.. I just don't think hes ready, i mean hell, he doesn't even monitor the temps on his milksnake or even use a thermostat! He keeps calling me over-protective of my snakes when really im just doing what you're supposed to do! Anyways, i just dont think hes mature enough for a chameleon and i wanted to know yalls thoughts. Hopefully the store will refuse to sell to him..

[trailblazer295]

I bought my first snake a little over a year ago, now have more snakes and a lizard. I'm an OCD hvac mechanic, I use industrial hvac Ranco stats on each cage, temp/humidity monitor in the room and a outdoor temp/humidity sensor and same in my house stat. I still wouldn't get a chameleon due to the care to do it correctly. I have a greater understanding of temperature and humidity then most due to what I do for a living. Even among seasoned herp keepers I'm considered OCD.

[bigsnakegirl785]

As far as I know, chameleons need mesh cages because they need unusually high amounts of air flow, more than it simply stressing them out. Although that could be a contributing factor.

Chameleons usually only live a couple years in captivity because it's so difficult to care for them. Care for them is increasing as we learn more about their care, so their life spans are much longer now, but your brother would have to be super dedicated to doing his research before he got a cham. Other people's success means nothing if he isn't willing to put in the work himself.

[AwesomeGuy376]

Exactly ^ thats why it scares me. He thinks somethings cool but doesn't take care of it (Oh god you should see the way he spot cleans :() Hes brand-New to reptiles and still refuses to do essential things like only handle the snake a couple times and not constant, as well as trying to reduce the amount of substrate the snake swallows and worst of all not using a thermostat! Hes so irresponsible and i really dont want that poor chameleon to die cause of his ignorance. He never does enough research, and hell, you even proved me wrong on mesh cages, and i love reptiles! The only reason he wants one is cause i just bought a hoggie and he wants "another reptile". He thinks getting a chameleon will make me jealous, but in reality i can care less, im just concerned about the animals well-being.. I mean, the only reason he has the snake now is cause i bought one!

[Tiny Boidae]

If he wants a pet, he should look elsewhere. A chameleon is not a pet, and is not an animal you should pet and hold and snuggle with. If he wants that kind of relationship, a rat would provide it with half the cost and half the headache, or some other furry mammal. He doesn't need to be owning the snake he aready has from the way you described it, and if he'd gotten the chameleon than I'd be surprised if it was still going strong after a month.

Sick Veiled Chameleon | Chameleon Forums (http://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/sick-veiled-chameleon.71675/)

This is one case of many that document how fragile these animals are. They're the glass figurines in any pet shop- pretty to look at but easy to break.

[AwesomeGuy376]

Yup glad to know there's like-minded individuals here! The bad part is that our dad worked at a pet shop when he was 16, and thinks hes the expert. So my brother listens to him and they constantly make fun of me for the way i care for my snakes :( . Hes so irresponsible, one time he soaked the mouse WET and got substrate all over it.. I would've washed it off or just started over cause i would never want my snake to swallow THAT much substrate.. Im even concerned for that poor snake... I mean hell, i constantly worry and monitor mine to make sure they're okay and always contact this forum whenever i need help, but he refuses to be here and refuses to take in any advice if it means hes doing wrong... Idk man, everyone tells me to mind my own business, but i care too much about the animal.. I care a lot about reptiles and hate to see them suffer, more so than any other animal for some reason.. I've dedicated months of research and consulting to buy the snakes i own, and he doesn't even care.. Hes keeping a milksnake at a temp of 75, and to me, that's just too low..

[Albert Clark]

Hey AG, just show him the literature! A word to the wise is usually sufficient. Some people have to read it and weep.