choosing a chameleon, oustaleti vs verrucosus...

[cilenez]

i have been doing research on on which chameleon i would like to get.
i have narrowed it down to 2 species.
furcifer oustaleti and furcifer verrucosus..

i would like to hear for those members who have or have had either of these species.. their thoughts on care and personality..

i thank you in advance for any input you can offer in helping me decide.

regards,
Cilene in FL

 

[Carlton]

i have been doing research on on which chameleon i would like to get.
i have narrowed it down to 2 species.
furcifer oustaleti and furcifer verrucosus..

i would like to hear for those members who have or have had either of these species.. their thoughts on care and personality..

i thank you in advance for any input you can offer in helping me decide.

regards,
Cilene in FL

I have kept 1 wc verrucosus so far. He was shy and flighty but not pissy or territorial. Beautiful blue and green excited coloration. Kept him on the drier side but nothing dramatically different than a panther. From what I've read about oustaleti they can be more docile, not as shy (but we all know this can vary by the individual). I'd plan on a larger cage for an Oustaleti as the size averages seem to be larger than verrucosus. Both will use all the space you can give them.

 

[fluxlizard]

I've kept both. Oustalets were much easier for me. Hardier, more brave and outgoing, better disposition all around, easier to breed, etc.

If this is your first chameleon and really want to choose only between these two- definately go with the oustalets. Purely because they are much stronger and easier. They are comparable to panthers as far as hardiness.

Verrucosus have a more delicate constitution and are more shy and more easily stressed, etc. Get some experience first with something else before those would be my advice. A male oustalets would be a good way to do that, and are a cool choice in and of themselves- they have a fantastic look about them- heavily textured.

 

[cilenez]

i thank you both for your reply...

this will not be a 1st chameleon. i have had a breeding trio jacksons and a small colony of pigmy bearded leaf chameleons (successfully breeding)... but due to several moves over several years, we had to sell off our reptiles (i have kept everything from lizards, geckos, turtles, tortoises, snakes and chameleons)...

i miss my chameleons most. i only have the space for 1..

again thank you...