Are Oustalets popular?

[bluesox68]

Its hard finding information but from what I can tell its similar to a panther but with a larger viv. My local reptile store brought in a pair of wc but the female didn't make it. I've been watching the male for a few weeks and its looking better every week. The price seems reasonable at $200 and in Ontario Canada, that's cheaper then a panther here. This reptile store is very good from what I can tell so I don't have issues buying from them. I am just weighing the pro's and con's of buying a wc. If I did purchase a trip to the vets would be immediate. The main reason I am looking at him is I want a large chameleon and a Parsons isn't realistic to my budget and a Mellers is a little too intermediate. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

 

[OldChamKeeper]

If you want a giant and are new to them, look into a captive hatched Meller's. There are a few breeders here on this forums, so you'd have good info from the start if you got one from them.

Also... if you're thinking about money... if you spend a little more on a baby Meller's you don't spend any money on that vet visit, which is a crap shoot.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

@jajeanpierre might have some info . She very knowledgeable .

 

[Nursemaia]

I have a captive hatched melleri and I am thrilled with him

 

[jannb]

Oustalets are kept like a panthers. We have them wild here in the FL Everglades. They do get quite large and would need a very large enclosure.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

 

[bluesox68]

Thanks for the info, Is it true that Mellers have a higher water requirment? it would be sharing a mistking with my panther so would that work? thanks

 

[bluesox68]

Oh and I just did a quick google image and mellers are very cool looking!

 

[Nursemaia]

They have a huge water requirement and I actually have 2 separate misting systems. 1 for the mellers and 1 for my veiled and panther

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Oustalets are kept like a panthers. We have them wild here in the FL Everglades. They do get quite large and would need a very large enclosure.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/

Says Jan as she looks out her window and sees an Ousty pluck a small cat from the ground

 

[Extensionofgreen]

While melleri are my favorite species, I think oustalets are far easier to care for. If you start with a WC animal, you'll likely have to deal with some parasites, but you should check CB animals for parasites once or twice a year, as well, so in my opinion, if the animal is hydrated and feeding, you're not taking any great risk with a hardy oustalet. They are very under rated and more people should keep them. They are fairly active and I wouldn't provide anything less than a 6'x4'x4' enclosure. Care is similar to a panther, but they tolerate higher basking temps and lower temps, though these aren't specific requirements. You'll need plenty of large feeders, like roaches, as well.
IMO, melleri are much more challenging. I bred and worked with CB melleri, 10 years ago and while they can be hardy under the right circumstances, they can also turn on a dime and are more susceptible to stress. They do need more water, they are known to become restless and stressed at puberty and may actually require a mate to settle back down. This is not every melleri, but it is a very real concern. You can find a lot of information about melleri on melleridiscovery.com.
Personally, I'd say you are reasonably equipped for a oustalet, if you have panther experience. Melleri require a more intuitive approach.

 

[AZChamFan]

While melleri are my favorite species, I think oustalets are far easier to care for. If you start with a WC animal, you'll likely have to deal with some parasites, but you should check CB animals for parasites once or twice a year, as well, so in my opinion, if the animal is hydrated and feeding, you're not taking any great risk with a hardy oustalet. They are very under rated and more people should keep them. They are fairly active and I wouldn't provide anything less than a 6'x4'x4' enclosure. Care is similar to a panther, but they tolerate higher basking temps and lower temps, though these aren't specific requirements. You'll need plenty of large feeders, like roaches, as well.
IMO, melleri are much more challenging. I bred and worked with CB melleri, 10 years ago and while they can be hardy under the right circumstances, they can also turn on a dime and are more susceptible to stress. They do need more water, they are known to become restless and stressed at puberty and may actually require a mate to settle back down. This is not every melleri, but it is a very real concern. You can find a lot of information about melleri on melleridiscovery.com.
Personally, I'd say you are reasonably equipped for a oustalet, if you have panther experience. Melleri require a more intuitive approach.

What an excellent reply Extensionofgreen!

 

[nightanole]

Ousts can come in a huge variety of colors. A "cage" is a relative term, i tried to shoe horn mine into 2 2x2x4 reptibreezes, but it didnt last long.

 

[bluesox68]

While melleri are my favorite species, I think oustalets are far easier to care for. If you start with a WC animal, you'll likely have to deal with some parasites, but you should check CB animals for parasites once or twice a year, as well, so in my opinion, if the animal is hydrated and feeding, you're not taking any great risk with a hardy oustalet. They are very under rated and more people should keep them. They are fairly active and I wouldn't provide anything less than a 6'x4'x4' enclosure. Care is similar to a panther, but they tolerate higher basking temps and lower temps, though these aren't specific requirements. You'll need plenty of large feeders, like roaches, as well.
IMO, melleri are much more challenging. I bred and worked with CB melleri, 10 years ago and while they can be hardy under the right circumstances, they can also turn on a dime and are more susceptible to stress. They do need more water, they are known to become restless and stressed at puberty and may actually require a mate to settle back down. This is not every melleri, but it is a very real concern. You can find a lot of information about melleri on melleridiscovery.com.
Personally, I'd say you are reasonably equipped for a oustalet, if you have panther experience. Melleri require a more intuitive approach.

Thanks for the great reply. As soon as I looked at the care sheet for a melleri I knew it wouldn't be a good fit. Another big problem is we don't have Roaches in Canada so I need to do more research for feeder options!