First time

[dparks87]

Hey guys I have been reading around for about a month now and I have purchased what I think to be the basics for starting out.

This is what I have.
Zoo-med 18x18x24 terrarium
Assorted vines/leaves
Zoo-med fogger
Reptisun 5.0 strip flor.
75wt daylight basking bulb and dome

I also purchased a reptarium R-100 for when the cham gets bigger.

So what do you guys think would be a smart choice for the first time around? I was thinking a veiled as from what i read they seem to make good first chams. i would prefer a smaller one so that my girlfriend and I can raise him.

 

[pssh]

Hello, and welcome! I'm glad you're doing your research! Go for a 3-4 month old (probably male) veiled. (site sponsors are great.) His small home would probably only work for 2-3 months, but you have the big one so it's okay. I'll throw in my basic checklist since you're missing a few things.

Here is my basic checklist for a baby veiled:

-a screen cage of appropriate size (baby:16x16x30, adult female 18x18x36, adult male 24x24x48) you can also buy the adult sized cage and just section off the bottom so it is smaller
-live plants that are non toxic and have covered organic fertilizer free soil
-a normal incandescent house bulb of appropriate wattage
-a dome to put the house bulb in
-a linear reptisun 5.0 and appropriate hood
-a digital thermometer or temp gun to check temperature
-a digital hygrometer to check humidity (you can buy a 2 in 1 thermometer/hygrometer)
-three supplements: calcium with d3, calcium without d3, and a multivitamin that contains no vit A (make sure all are phos free)
-a pump style spray bottle to spray chameleon
-a dripper of some sort
-drainage for the water so that the cage does not flood
-many horizontal, vertical, and diagonal branches/vines/perches make sure there are many at different levels under the basking branch so he can move around under them to get a certain temp, the closest one to the bulb (6-8 inches under it) should have the maximum temperature a baby veiled can handle (80-83 degrees)

All of this can be bought on lllreptile.com but it would be cheaper to buy the uvb hood, normal incandescent house bulb and dome, plants, and digital thermometer from home depot or lowes (unless you are getting a temp gun, then tempgun.com) Veiled chameleons can handle temps as low as 50 degrees (at night) so there is no need to use a night light, though I would try to keep it around 60 for a baby. If you do need extra heat, use a space heater or ceramic bulb.

 

[weezyboi94]

I suggest you use a 40-60 watt (max) incandescent bulb if you plan on buying a juvenile veiled or any juvenile chameleon for that matter.
I also think you should read up alot before purchasing any chameleon, particularly the site below...should you get a veiled.

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

 

[dparks87]

Thanks for the list Pssh, i definitely saw a few extra check marks i needed to add to my list.

Weezy that was an awesome article the feeding guidelines helped a lot. The supplementing and gut loading is still something i am reading up on as it seems to be a bit of a debatable topic.

 

[jannb]

Pssh has some good advice for you. Let me know if there's anything at all I can help you with to prepare for your Luie & Camille baby. You WIILL NOT need a basking light the first few months unless it's freezing in your house....then I would try a 25 watt. The baby should be kept around 80.

 

[Ntinsley4]

I would strongly recommend that you do not put your baby in a glass terrarium. Chams need the air circulation and it helps maintain the proper temperature.

 

[bridgofaith]

I would suggest returning the terrarium and going with a screen cage right from the beginning. You don't need the fogger, misting the cage will work just fine at keeping the humidity up. You do not need that basking bulb. Thing is, if you use that bulb with that glass terrarium, you will literally cook that baby. Don't want that to happen. Jann's suggestion on the use of the basking bulb is perfect, follow that.

The checklist pssh provided is awesome and I would go right down the list and collect each item.

As far as supplements go, there is no one for all rule. Generally for a baby veiled you would use calcium withOUT D3 everyday, calcium with D3 1x a month and a vitamin 1-2x a month. The most important thing regarding supplements, is gutloading your feeders. Fresh fruits such as: pear, apple, papaya, ect and fresh veggies such as: turnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale... make great gutload for your feeders. The feeders will be much healthier and provide better nutrition for your chameleon.

Read, read, read.
Gutloading: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
Supplements: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
FAQ: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/syn/226-frequently-asked-questions.html

I hope some of this helps. The Raising Kitty link that was provided has excellent info also!

 

[laurie]

Hey David, with all the help everyone has offered you don't need me at all - or do you? Change to the reptarium divided in half and post a picture of your set up.

You will love a Camille & Luie baby.

 

[Killjoy]

Hi,
Your getting alot of great help on this thread, though, I haven't heard any suggestions for another type of chameleon. You did say you would like a smaller one..... A really strong, hardy and cool looking type that does not get as big as the veiled is a Jacksons Chameleon. Also, he should be able to stay in your original enclosure for a longer period of time as they require slightly less room than a veiled. They are a beginner level cham and look really cool to those occasional onlookers. And priced low!! Either way good luck!!

 

[lisagr07]

hey and welcome!!!

everyone here has given you some really good advice!!

i'm a firstimer also and everyone on this forum has been so helpful...
i thought that the glass terrarium was a pretty good idea until i started reading and asking a thousand questions.. i soon realized that the screen was a much better enclosure for a chameleon, they need good air circulation or they can develop respiratory issues.. the glass will also hold in way too much heat...

i don't believe that the fogger is necessary. misting with a hand sprayer a couple of times a day will suffice, along with a dripper to help with the humidity and give him a source of drinking water...

as stated above, if you go by what pssh suggested you will be in great shape, she has put together a very good shopping list!!!!

good luck and please keep reading and ask questions here.... everyone is more that eager to help you get started and help you to become a successful chameleon keeper!!

lisa

 

[jannb]

Hi,
Your getting alot of great help on this thread, though, I haven't heard any suggestions for another type of chameleon. You did say you would like a smaller one..... A really strong, hardy and cool looking type that does not get as big as the veiled is a Jacksons Chameleon. Also, he should be able to stay in your original enclosure for a longer period of time as they require slightly less room than a veiled. They are a beginner level cham and look really cool to those occasional onlookers. And priced low!! Either way good luck!!

A Jackson would not be a good choice for an inexperienced keeper. Right now he has a glass tank.....maybe a Pygmy.....they do well in glass.