Best one to start out with.

[bryan812]

What would be the best type of chameleon for a beginner to start with. we dont want to kill the thing. Also i have read that handling the chameleon will eventually stress it out and kill it is that true. Why do i see so many pictures of people on here holding their pets? So when i get a chameleon i need a small cage then upgrade to a bigger cage? Or can we just start with a big cage?

So basicly We are going to need
a cage
spray bottle.
lots of plants to climb on
like vines and plants.
something that drips water
Lighting
crickets worms

anything else.

 

[John33871]

well i think, veiled chameleons are the easiest to start with, and they are a lot cheaper than panthers. anyways you will have to do some major research before purchasing a chameleon. about the handling its ok to handle them for a little amount of time and not often. i was handling my little guy today just to measure and weight him and see how much he has grown. it was about 10mins and then i put him back. about the cage, if you start off with a 2 month old you will need a smaller cage and then about 6 to 7 months then you will want to upgrade. anyways like i said major research is a must so that you will know what to do when something happens. people is this forum will sometime get upset when people ask simple questions, like myself. just do about 2 months of research, and read as much as possible and you should be ready to care for a chameleon without killing it. anyways good luck and happy researching

 

[Dean Pulcini]

The most important thing you need to do is research and decide if you have the time and patience to own a time consuming animal. First of all no chameleon is easy, most people start off with calyptratus because they need what most people assume chameleon need a tropical sun loving species. No reptile likes to be handled most of all a chameleon and yes handling a chameleon can cause stress which will weaken the animals immune system which then opens the door for other problems to occur. People use there hands to establish a rapport with the animal because you do have to inspect and move the animal don't do this with a wild caught chameleon. You can buy a big cage and always make it smaller by putting a divider in it .

 

[Cherron]

Usually the general opinion is that a veiled chameleon or a panther chameleon are the easiest to care for. Veileds eat a LOT, are easily obtained and inexpensive, and are very tempermental. Panthers are good eaters as well, but not nearly as voracious as veileds, are fairly expensive, and usually have a more mild temperment (by mild i mean not AS aggressive, but can still be aggressive).

A small cage is better for a smaller chameleon because it is easier to monitor their food intake, their poop, etc. It is also easier for the chameleon to find their food in a smaller enclosure. Make sure that the cage is heavily planted so that the chameleon can hide so that it feels secure.

I don't handle my chameleons unless absolutely necessary. It does indeed stress them out and it is unnecessary. Some people will tell you that their chameleons like the interaction, will walk right up to them, aren't aggressive, etc. and this may be the case but in my time keeping chameleons, I haven't had one that didn't show some sort of stress when being handled. And yes, enough stress can eventually weaken and kill your chameleon.. even if indirectly.

You will also need supplements.. one that is pure calcium with NO D3 or phosphorus, one that is calcium WITH D3 and no phosphorus and a vitamin supplement.

You will also need food to gutload your crickets with. Dark greens, carrots, sweet potato, grains all work well. No spinach or broccoli.

You will need a digital thermometer with a probe or a temperature gun to take accurate basking and ambient temps. A hygrometer (humidity gauge) is also needed.

 

[Jordan]

I say a veiled. Veileds are the cheapest and most abundant in captivity. They are the second most colorful. They have very small watering requirements compared to other decent sized species. They are know to be one of the hardiest. This is for many reasons. They are know in the wild to come from places that see freezing temperatures all the way up to the second highest recorded temperature on the planet. They come from areas with sub-tropical rainfall totals annually all the way to places that have not seen rain in a decade. They also have a very varied diet. Eating insects, vegatation, birds, small mammals, reptiles, other chameleons, and even dead stuff. This equates to an animal that can handle your learning curve so long as you come at it with some education on the subject of chameleons.

All animals are equipped from birth to survive in some sort of enviroment. In this case, with these types of animals you are their enviroment.

Try to look at things from mulitple angles. Research, ask questions, good luck and welcome to the forums.

Also i have read that handling the chameleon will eventually stress it out and kill it is that true. Why do i see so many pictures of people on here holding their pets?

Chameleons get there brightest when they are mad. Take a chameleon out it's cage, put it on your arm and you have a brightly colored kodak moment. In some these case it is possible that a mirror maybe in the room. Their reflection can really aggravate them. I would hope that a responsible owner is only doing this type of thing seldomly.

 

[John33871]

so thats why my veiled always gets so bright, i didnt know that, lol. you learn something everyday