I to had a 'mean' veiled male chameleon. I had to 'force' feed him too and he was really defensive and hissy. But I could grab him, there's nothing he could do about it. He was fairly calm and cool exploring outside of the cage. I just didn't like doing it to him because I never wanted to...
research dubias, make your wife read the material, if she is rational, she will soften up to them. I wont lie, I have escapies(due to a cage design), they always are found dead or dying on the floor.
Did you look craigslist or a local exotic pets group on facebook?
i know i see them for sale on craigslist for cheap, and also I just joined a local facebook group for exotic pet people, and a girl on there sells 1000 nymphs for like $50.
It's the adults that cost a lot, usually like a $1+...
My veiled had the edge of his cask, kinda, just, die and fall off... I know I know, I'm a bad keeper, but honestly there was nothing I could do. He's well taken care of, anyway, to the point, I woke him up to show a friend, and my chameleon decided to show me some colors I've never seen before...
i buy them from a real pet store for around $40-50 for the 160w version for my frilled dragon.. The big chains want to charge $80 for them they must be out of their minds. I've been thinking of putting a 100w on my veiled.
moving to florida, this was the last straw! not really but yeah i do want to move to florida for wildlife, this is another reason, to see wild chameleons!
Live Plant Database
https://www.chameleonforums.com/plants/
and danging, somewhere I had found a list of all the safe plants, about 6 pages, when printed, worth of plants. But I can't find the link to it.
once you know what plants are safe, you can look them up, and see if they meet your size...
i use a 75w spot light for my veiled chameleon on his 18x18x36 cage. He usually hangs out as close to the light as possible, sprauled across a vine and a fake plant, even though I made him a basking spot, he likes to be above it, warmer. It's 88° at his basking spot.