Buying a chameleon-online, chain pet store or mom & pop shop?

[fatherfilip]

I've been wanting to get a chameleon for months now. A lot of research has been done, but the main problem I'm having is where to buy the chameleon itself. They're sold everywhere, but I just want to be sure the chameleon I'm purchasing is going to be healthy.

 

[Fearaffect]

Site sponsors have a great selection of chams to buy. Or you can pick one up from the classifieds section.....
Depending on what species you want also, some breeders have a wide selection of locales on Panthers and some focus on 1 or 2 locales and produce outstanding examples of their locale. Veileds same thing, some breed for more yellow and other for more blue/aqua color.....

Since this is your first Cham......go for the site sponsors and stay away from the chain stores for right now.......sponsors tend to be far more helpful and knowledgeable on helping you chose your new Cham.

 

[fatherfilip]

I think I'll be staying with the veiled for my first one. I checked out lllreptile and their prices and selections are great. Thanks for the info!
But as far as when the length is given, does it include the length of the tail?

 

[Rango183]

i think for your first you may want to buy one near you and not shipped,so you can see if anything is wrong etc etc just so when you more experience you would know when and where to buy your next cham cause trust me you would want another lol .hope to see pics soon

 

[Lancecham]

I think I'll be staying with the veiled for my first one. I checked out lllreptile and their prices and selections are great. Thanks for the info!
But as far as when the length is given, does it include the length of the tail?

People measure them differently. total length versus snout to vent. Just ask the seller.

 

[Olimpia]

Definitely stay away from big chain stores, they are usually terrible. A mom and pop shop may be competent, but the employees may not be any better at taking care of them, so you would have to judge that for yourself.

If you buy from one of the site sponsors, you know you're getting an animal whose breeder(s) has years of experience breeding, raising, and selling healthy animals. They also tend to have better guarantees than pet stores - most stores will not give a guarantee on livestock but a breeder will give you a replacement animal if you're not happy with yours for whatever reason.

And shipping isn't as scary as it sounds! I always have animals shipped to my local UPS/FedEx center, which means they are there just before 7 am and I can run in and pick them up immediately instead of waiting for the truck til 10-11. I know what it's like to fly to Europe, 3 hours less in a crammed little box is something I can appreciate!

 

[Psychobunny]

Please consider one of the sponsors when buying a new cham.
Avoid large chain stores, even if they are good with their animals, its not worth taking the chance.
Buy from a breeder who has been in business for a long time.

I have bought from FL Chams and Kammer's, but there are a bunch of breeders who have excellent reps.

DO NOT be swayed by the lower prices from the chain stores, if you dont have enough $$, just save up for a while.
Making the wrong decision when it comes to buying a pet can easily turn into a long nightmare for you.

 

[bluebar]

I would get one from either flchams or screameleons i got a chameleon from both of those places and they are very healthy

 

[absolutbill]

The other nice thing about buying from a site sponsor is that they have more background info on the cham in question. They can tell you lineage, and hatchdate, neither of which a big box store can do. Also, most will answer questions for life, so you have a constant resource other than the fine folks here. I've bought from FlChams, as well as 3 private sellers on here without a single issue. Good luck and remember to post lots of pictures once you get your new little one!

 

[MollyT]

I would definitely get one from a site sponsor or a member. I got my guy from a member and I couldn't be any happier with him. I knew as soon as I got him out of the box that he had been taken great care of before coming to live with me.

 

[ChameleonMom]

I have not yet bought a cham from a site sponsor, having always purchased my chams from pet stores (I'm out to 'save' them, one pet store at a time), but I would NOT recommend a pet store purchase as a first time cham buyer. I purchased a female panther from Pet Smart - after having been told it was a male, "sorry, we don't sell any female animals as we don't want them to become part of someone's breeding colony, we sell 'pets'" I have been told this twice, yet have come home with males that have turned out to be female. I don't mind, however if a store doesn't even know the gender of their pets, then they can't be trusted in their care of them. My last little veiled (who turned out, again to be female after I thought she was a he) also came home with pneumonia! She has survived her health scare but it did cost quite a bit in vet bills, which you wouldn't have if you bought from a site sponsor!!

Good luck!

 

[fatherfilip]

Thanks everyone for all the good info and insight. Ill probably have pictures up by the end of the year of my new little guy!

I have been looking at LLLreptiles.com because they're one of the site sponsors, but I haven't seen anyone mention them. Is that a bad thing?