Chameleon Crazy is an internet resource dedicated to the captive care and husbandry of Old World or True Chameleons. Through this site, we hope to provide a plethora of relevant information regarding all aspects of our reptilian counterparts. We strive to offer a variety of chameleon related topics, species profiles, and forums where the entire chameleon community can benefit from everyone’s individual experiences.
It all started in 1997 when I visited a local pet store here in Northern New Jersey. As a twelve year old, I was astonished when I came upon a small cage that contained the strangest “pets” I had ever encountered. These varied in shades of greens and browns, could look in two directions at once, and resembled mini triceratops dinosaurs. Of course, these quite popular lizards were Jackson’s Chameleons, ( Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus ).
Although I did not purchase any chameleons that evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about how different they looked from anything I had seen prior. About a month later, while my parents and I were shopping at Petco, I spotted another terrarium full of these fascinating lizards. With a little coaxing, I was able to convince my parents to let me buy 1 male and 1 female Jackson’s Chameleons.
I was eager to watch them eat, walk, climb, curl their tails, and just about anything they did. Unfortunately, due to the lack of good advice that I received from the pet store employees, these chameleons were housed together in a 20 gallon glass aquarium with fake plants. As I would later learn, this enclosure was ill-suited for my new friends. Within two months time, both chameleons perished. As heart broken as I was at the time, I knew I had to find out what had happened.
I eagerly began searching through books and internet sources to seek help. I came across some great information and met a wide variety of people through America Online’s chameleon forum. Next, I discovered kingsnake.com. Shortly thereafter, I joined the former Chameleon Information Network (CiN). I soon learned that many of these people had the same questions that I had. This is when I decided to form Chameleon Crazy.
Chameleon Crazy materialized in 1998 because there was a need for information regarding chameleon husbandry. It was listed on a free server and was a good starting place. I wanted to make a place where newcomers, intermediate keepers, and chameleon experts could go to advance their own personal knowledge, as well as share their experiences with the rest of the chameleon community. I realized that I was not given the proper information to care for my first chameleons, therefore they perished. I wanted to make a place where newcomers could find the information they needed BEFORE they purchased one of these great creatures. After I felt that I had a firm grasp on chameleon care, I decided to get my third chameleon, a Diego Suarez Panther Chameleon, Furcifer pardalis, from Steve and Linda Davison at Sticky Tongue Farms. They were so helpful to me, answering any questions that I had and were extremely patient. I knew that I would now be able to provide a good home for my new chameleon. Since then, I have had experience caring for and reproducing over 15 species of chameleons.
In 1999 Chameleon Crazy, still on the free internet host, was given an update with new species profiles. Throughout 2002-2004, I purchased the domain name www.chameleoncrazy.com but never had the time to give the site the update that I knew it needed. Now, in 2006, I am pleased to offer to the chameleon community, the website that I have always wanted to provide for you. It has been a slow, but sure, work in progress to update this site, but I hope you all will appreciate the information within.
From one chameleon enthusiast to the rest………