Thinking of getting a chameleon... Updated - or even a hedgehog! :P

Probably only a small one, like a PLC. It's only a little thought buzzing around my head at the moment, as I don't think mum is too keen on the idea!

What ever happens, it definitely won't be for a good while yet. One extra species is good enough for me and I want to focus on my stick insects.

Well you know the rule - if you do we expect photos

Definitely!

Afraid, though, that a chameleon is now out of the question! The one I want would have to be purchased online. Our postal service is unbelievably horrific. Usually, our postman doesn't even bother to ring the doorbell; he just writes out a card and claims that he did. I wouldn't want to chance the little chameleon getting injured/malnourished/ill.

I'm currently looking at geckos.

you could always use a reptile courier, i used one to get our first hedgehog here

That's a possibility!

ella wrote:Well you know the rule - if you do we expect photos

Second that   

It's all just talk at the moment! I'd had a couple of drinks when I was pouring over different potential pets!

Sad now... Doesn't look like I'll be able to get my little exotic pet. Nearly all of them require feeding with crickets, mealworms, etc., and there's no place for me to store them.

Chameleons are hard to keep, and must be kept in perfect conditions to thrive. Geckos are much easier to keep. Something like a Leopard Gecko, they are colourful and friendly. When I used to keep lizards, I used to buy the crickets in tubs, and as long as there is a little food in the tub, they should be fine to just keep in the tub. With the locusts, they are bigger, so I brought a plastic tank to keep them in until I wanted them.

I was wondering how you would feed it Eleanor!

Amber wrote:Chameleons are hard to keep, and must be kept in perfect conditions to thrive.  Geckos are much easier to keep.  Something like a Leopard Gecko, they are colourful and friendly.  When I used to keep lizards, I used to buy the crickets in tubs, and as long as there is a little food in the tub, they should be fine to just keep in the tub.  With the locusts, they are bigger, so I brought a plastic tank to keep them in until I wanted them.

Don't worry, I know how to! Have worked around all sorts of reptiles before. That's not the problem - the problem is storing the live food. With two other people living in the house, I don't think it would be appropriate to store the feed in cupboards or the fridge.

LyndaW wrote:I was wondering how you would feed it Eleanor!  

Doesn't look like I'll be able to anyway now. Quite upset about it really, but there isn't anything I can do about it, as far as I can see.

Mealworms give me the shudders, even in their dried state, and I don't how long they last in their grubby state before they metamorphose.

But crickets seem to live quite happily in their tubs - they are chirruping away merrily next to the till at a local pet supplies shop (don't know about PAH!)

I've got to admit that in your mum's place I'd have severe reservations too. Even crickets chirruping can get on your nerves - get on your nerves - get on your nerves.

Please try not to be upset Eleanor, I do understand - from childhood I wanted a cat but the very idea upset one or another of the people I was living with so it was never possible - that old saying "we can't always get what we want" !

People who live here come first, definitely! Just a shame, as I love having something of my own to look after.

As larvae, mealworms can last anywhere from eight to ten weeks, unless they're refrigerated. I'm perfectly fine with them! I was one of the few last year who would pick up the mealworms by hand, rather than with tongs, to feed the reptiles!

Just a thought - maybe try something less demanding to have as your own to look after?

The animal itself would be no problem for Eleanor to look after - it's storing live food!

I don't really want it in the fridge, and most of the live food tends to be quite noisy, so having them in the bedroom isn't feasible. Also, we can't have anything that moves around in the main part of the house because it would drive Dempsey insane!!

Yes I quite understand Caryll. tbh (sorry Eleanor) I couldn't cope with meal worms or crickets in the house either, especially not in the fridge. Some things are just not possible, unfortunately. Like me having a cat   

I would really like Guinea pigs but they would be in constant danger from the cats trying to get them...   
We all need something of our own so maybe research something you all can live with   

That's a shame but understandable. Karlas dad has a bearded dragon and she goes up to look after it now and again when he's away. Luckily for her it's only for a couple of days so she just has to feed him veg and not the crickets. I don't know if she would watch him if she had to   

That's what's so frustrating about it! The animal itself is something I could cope with. The feeding is what's standing in the way.

I've researched so many different animals, mainly reptiles, but am still coming up short. There are only three truly herbivorous reptiles (aside from tortoises) and none of them are suitable. I'd love to get a tortoise, but don't have the space to accommodate even a small one.

My ideal would be either a hedgehog or ferrets, but neither of those are practical with Dempsey around.

The herbivore lizzards are nasty from what I've seen posted on forums over the years.
What about a budgie or such? If you get a baby you can train it and they're lovely pets...?

Yes, they are! Green Iguanas, in particular! Lost count of the amount of times the grumpy male tail-whipped me last year.

Unfortunately, the budgie would need to be kept in my bedroom. At night, it would undoubtedly disturb other people, as the walls are thin. Again, though, I wouldn't trust Demps with it if he did manage to get into my bedroom.

Budgies are pretty quiet at night if you cover their cage.
You could hang the cage from the roof so it's out of his reach and way.
Just an option to consider x

It would solve the night time problem, but not the Dempsey problem, sadly.

Well, I've been reading up for the last couple of hours and trying to figure things out. Don't want to jinx it, so will keep quiet for now. I have a feeling that a certain other household member won't be too keen on the idea though, so not getting my hopes up!

Well i breed mealworms and dubia roachs and haven't had to buy live food for years now, I just keep them in really useful boxes (rubs) they don't make any noise nor take up much room at all