Hi, David here, I have been lurking for a few weeks now, but wanted to say hello!
I’ll try to make a long story short...
Background:
I have kept fish for many years...
One time, many years ago (while at the local fish store, browsing) I came across a baby Iguana, and became very interested. I was thinking about setting up a terrarium and keeping an iguana (obviously I did not know much about them). I started to do a little research on the critter, and discovered they got WAY WAY too big for my tastes. I was very disappointed, as I visited this local fish store often, and would see that (or possibly a different) iguana in the tank. I stuck with the fish. College, girls, marriage, establishing my name in my given career, home buying/building/repairing, etc, etc, etc kept my attention diverted – even to the point of breaking down my tanks and giving up aquaria.
Fast-forward about 15 years. I have now settled into my career (high stress), house, and family. I missed the aquarium (for relaxation), so I decided to start one up again, and spent OVER ONE YEAR researching my current aquarium setup for before deciding on what and how to stock it! (www.geocities.com/mn0270100 if you are interested)
Now… You all may be asking why am I posting this in a MHD forum? Well, ever since I re-set-up my aquarium, my 8-year-old son has been interested in, and asking for a "Lizard". (Just under a year now.) We kind of “blew it off” for a while, but he shows great interest and Determination. His interest has kept up long enough that we decided to check into them, and have been researching the basics (anoles and geckos) for the past 2 months. (I like to do a lot of research before I jump into getting a project (pet or otherwise.) if you can’t tell!) Since I have been doing the research for my son’s lizard(s), my interest has peaked on all the amphibians that I have read about!
OK… here is the meat of it all.
While shopping (doing research) for my son’s lizard I came across a pair of "Mountain Horned Dragons" – I was instantly attracted to them. Dang if I did not get that ol' Iguana feeling back! But, I know from previous life experience that what I am interested in, and what I can actually care for may not always go hand in hand. So I started some preliminary research and discovered they get to a manageable size, seem relatively easy to care for, and did not require the vast space that an iguana required. I started getting very excited. I found this forum – (thank you all for your knowledge and experience.) and a few other websites that provided me with the info I was looking for. I have decided that a MHD would be an interesting addition to our lives, and will proceed (slowly) continuing to research them. (I like to do the right thing with animals - if you can’t tell!)
First things first… before I GET a MHD, I need a place to KEEP a MHD. I plan on building my own enclosure. I will post a second message (this one is long enough already) with my ideas on that, for your (constructive (grin)) criticism.
And now, finally the summary.
Ok, we decided on anoles for the 8-year-old... I have a 29-gallon aquarium set up, anticipating 4 anoles for the tank. I will be spending some time with my son helping him out, learning from experience and continuing research on the MHD's! Who knows what the future will hold ?!?!?
That's my story. I look forward to reading, learning, and educating myself from all your assistance and experience! Thanks in advance and please accept my apologies for taking up so much of your time.
David.
Then, about 2 years ago, I was in a petco getting some fish supplies for my girlfriend (17 at the time), and saw some anoles and decided to get a male and a female and stuck them in a nicely planted 20 gallon and later upgraded to a 55 with a 2.4 (male.female)ratio in the tank. Then I was back in that petco and in the very corner tank were 3 MHD's hanging out in there. I wanted them at that time, but knew I either had to get another tank or downsize the anole collection and put them back in the 20 gallon. So I gave away my other anoles to friends and family and kept a pair in the 20, and after some research, moved an MHD into the 55 gallon. Well, from then on (about a year, a little more) my collection has had about a dozen MHD's, currently I have 8. 6 A. Capra's in a 125 gallon enclosure with a 2 1/2 foot addition to the top (6' wide, 2' deep, and 4.5' tall) with plenty of plants and branches. And my other 2 are A. Armata (pretty rare still in the US, but getting easier to find) and they are in a wood enclosure I built from scratch that is 3' wide, 2' deep, and 4' tall. So needless to say, they have completely satisfied my young desires to have iguana's, and I don't think I will every have another herp. I really love these guys and they have so much personality. Once you know how to care for them, it's a snap to keep them healthy.
so I will just leave you with a good luck on the enclosure building and a welcome to the MHD forum, you will love them as soon as you get one!!!