New here and to Chams

ravynwriter

New Member
Good afternoon everyone :)

I am new to chams but not to reptiles, though most of my reptile experience has to do with desert-dwellers (beardies, uros). I have no reptiles currently.

I've been reading and researching the last few days, leaning in the direction of getting another reptile and narrowing down what I want. I love beardies (and I will be getting one again in the future, in the next year or two possibly) but I would like to try something new...expand my horizons, as it were.

The last few days I've been researching species of poison dart frogs, geckos, amphibians and chams. I've narrowed things down now to chams...more specifically, carpet chams.

This won't happen for a few more months. I'm a big believer in researching and I want to be overprepared rather than under. Right now the plan is solidifying and I'm looking for feedback, experience, and support from those far more 'in the know' than I am :)

Right now I'm tentatively leaning toward a pair of female carpet chams in a well planted 18x18x36. Thoughts on pairs of females in this size cage? I'm limited to this size due to space at the moment, so don't think you'll break my heart if you don't recommend a pair. I do not want to breed, so having only one cham is not going to destroy me. I was thinking pair because my best friend and room-mate has always adored chams, and I thought it would be nice if she had one that was just hers.

Any better species suggestions for a pair of females in this size enclosure? or a singleton in this size enclosure? Any thoughts on what I may need to get started? I've read a dozen care sheets at this point so I know about the drip water, temperature requirements, mesh as opposed to glass cage, lots of foliage and hiding spots, basking spot, etc.

Any help at all is greatly appreciated :) Thank you!
 
Welcome to the forums! I have no experience with Carpet chams, other than what I have read, so I'll leave the specifics to those experienced with the species. I just wanted to shout out a welcome, and to thank you for doing your research *before* getting your cham, rather than later. Where are you located? There are some Carpet breeders on the forum -- I'm sure they'll check in. Best of luck!!
 
Welcome future chameleon owner! Chameleons are very rewarding creatures to own. I love the Carpets also. They are so beautiful, but then they all are!!!! Happy to see you have begun your research before taking the plunge!!!
 
Thank you :) I'm a research junkie, to be honest :D

Quick question...as an alternative to the pair of female carpet chams, I've been considering instead getting a single male ambilobe. Would an 18x18x36 cage be sufficient for him? I've been finding conflicting information. If not, I can go taller but not really wider. My base stand I want to use is at max 20x20.

Thoughts on ambilobe versus carpets?
 
Id say do not get a pair unless you have two seperate cages as all chams are very teritorial and will stress eatchother out. as for the panther that cage should be large enough but id personally go with a taller one. if you could find an 18 x18 x48 cage thad be perfect for em......remind yourself bigger is usually always better.
 
18x18x48 is very doable :) Height isn't a problem, it's more length and width I need to worry about, so thank you. I can so do that :). The more I read the more I'm liking the one male ambilobe idea.
 
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