Getting a Cham soon, what supplies and brands should I use?

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

I’m getting a panther chameleon soon, earliest is august 9th, and this is a first reptile (if you don’t count my axolotl) and I’m aware this isn’t a great first pet so I’ve been doing a lot of research and know what to feed, how much to feed, what plants are safe, cage size, but I still don’t really know what thermometers/probes fogger/and/or/mister UVB and heatlamps/bulbs are best. I’m getting a reptibreeze XL, not sure if that makes any difference, I know screen cages make it harder to keep humidity high and not sure if this is one of those.

 

[Beman]

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking at buying a kit then I would recommend one of Neptune the Chameleon's kits. the advanced kit comes with more stuff that will be beneficial. https://www.pangeareptile.com/blogs...une-the-chameleon?_pos=3&_sid=b6960f0ae&_ss=r

Or you can purchase stuff individually. However you are on a bit of a time restraint and really need to be able to get it set up asap and figure out where your ambient levels will sit so you can make modifications to the cage if needed.

What type of chameleon are you getting and how old is it? This will make a difference in your set up.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! I too highly recommend Neptune’s kit. If bought separately, not only will you be paying more, but will probably have to go to different sources for everything, which is a pain in the butt (plus shipping fees). The advanced kit is well worth the cost, as you’ll eventually be wanting the extras. Screen enclosures are great in many environmental areas, as they can be easily modified. It’s much easier to cover up the screen to retain humidity than try to improve humidity in a glass or other solid enclosure.
I would like to commend you for first looking into what a chameleon needs before getting one, as too often it is the other way around. It’s also wonderful that you’ve found your way here, as we enjoy helping new keepers learn and succeed in having happy and healthy chameleons. Again, welcome.

 

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

@MissSkittles Thanks! I have been fully aware chameleons are really hard to take care of as a first reptile, and not going to “wing it” like some people.

 

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking at buying a kit then I would recommend one of Neptune the Chameleon's kits. the advanced kit comes with more stuff that will be beneficial. https://www.pangeareptile.com/blogs...une-the-chameleon?_pos=3&_sid=b6960f0ae&_ss=r

Or you can purchase stuff individually. However you are on a bit of a time restraint and really need to be able to get it set up asap and figure out where your ambient levels will sit so you can make modifications to the cage if needed.

What type of chameleon are you getting and how old is it? This will make a difference in your set up.

I’ll have to buy the kit, I didn’t realize I’d be paying 600 dollars minimum. I’m trying to get a 3 month old Panther Cham off of morph market, or an expo I’m going to on the 9th. Not buying off a chain store no matter what. Is it better to get the standard kit because of my time restraint? I won’t be able to afford the advanced kit for another week, plus I have to buy plants.

 

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

I’ll be putting it on a diet of gutloaded hornworms, silkworms, Dubia roaches if I can, and the occasional mealworm.

 

[JBissell]

I’ll be putting it on a diet of gutloaded hornworms, silkworms, Dubia roaches if I can, and the occasional mealworm.

Welcome, and good job doing the research first!

Dubia.com has all of those shipped to you and they have decent pricing. Beats anything I can find locally and shipping cost is about the same as anything close enough for me to drive to with gas and time.

Dubias make a good staple, Hornworms, if I’m not mistaken, should only be offered as a treat. I’m not sure about silk worms though.

 

[MissSkittles]

I’m trying to get a 3 month old Panther Cham off of morph market, or an expo I’m going to on the 9th.

I would highly recommend a reputable breeder. You may pay a little bit more, but the after-purchase support is worth its weight in gold. There are several who sponsor the forum who have beautiful, and more importantly, healthy chameleons and have proven their excellent reputations. https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons
https://www.chromaticchameleons.com/panther-chameleons-for-sale/ Has some beautiful Ambanja available.
https://ipardalis.com/panther-chameleons-for-sale/ Has both Ambilobe and Ambanja available.
https://framschams.com/ Also has Ambilobe and Ambanja plus ‘surprise’ panthers available.
https://readysrainforest.com/ Has Ambanja, Sambava, Nosy Be and Nosy Faly available.
I know that Ready’s Rainforest often goes to expos and I think Fram’s Chams may also. I don’t know about the others who sponsor the forum, but they are the only breeders at expos who I would trust personally.

I’ll be putting it on a diet of gutloaded hornworms, silkworms, Dubia roaches if I can, and the occasional mealworm.

You will definitely want to feed a variety of insects, and you will want to keep those insects well fed and healthy so that they are more nutritious. This may help you. Again, there are several vendors who sponsor the forum and are fantastic sources for healthy feeder insects. Some offer variety packs, which are great for those who don’t have small reptile armies.

 

[BleuSaphir]

Please have the cage ready. Before buying a chameleon.

I bought this thermostat from Lowe’s. You can find this at Walmart or Target. Home Depot has them. All identically priced similar. Work way better than reptile brands.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/ThermoPro-...umidity-Monitor/1003197660#no_universal_links

 

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

Sadly I had to cancel getting a Cham for the time being I’m still gonna do research but I’m not ready for the strict conditions and the cage set up, just gonna get a gecko probably. Thanks for letting me know what to buy when I am ready for one. I’m gonna get one as soon as I’m ready, but I’ll need to get more experienced in reptiles.

 

[All_Things_Scaly_Lover]

I would highly recommend a reputable breeder. You may pay a little bit more, but the after-purchase support is worth its weight in gold. There are several who sponsor the forum who have beautiful, and more importantly, healthy chameleons and have proven their excellent reputations. https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons
https://www.chromaticchameleons.com/panther-chameleons-for-sale/ Has some beautiful Ambanja available.
https://ipardalis.com/panther-chameleons-for-sale/ Has both Ambilobe and Ambanja available.
https://framschams.com/ Also has Ambilobe and Ambanja plus ‘surprise’ panthers available.
https://readysrainforest.com/ Has Ambanja, Sambava, Nosy Be and Nosy Faly available.
I know that Ready’s Rainforest often goes to expos and I think Fram’s Chams may also. I don’t know about the others who sponsor the forum, but they are the only breeders at expos who I would trust personally.

You will definitely want to feed a variety of insects, and you will want to keep those insects well fed and healthy so that they are more nutritious. This may help you. Again, there are several vendors who sponsor the forum and are fantastic sources for healthy feeder insects. Some offer variety packs, which are great for those who don’t have small reptile armies.
View attachment 365150View attachment 365151

I’ve seen that chart quite a lot so that’s why it’s not just hornworms and dubia roaches, I didn’t know hornworms aren’t the best main food source for a while.

 

[Beman]

Sadly I had to cancel getting a Cham, I’m still gonna do research but I’m not ready for the strict conditions and the cage set up, just gonna get a gecko probably. Thanks for letting me know what to buy when I am ready for one. I’m gonna get one as soon as I’m ready, but I’ll need to get more experienced in reptiles.

So it is not so much that they are difficult as much as it is that they are expensive to set up properly. If you buy all the right items and spend your money where you really need to without cutting corners than it comes down to learning the basics and what their behaviors mean.

Now where you get a cham is equally important. Buying from a reputable breeder being your best option. One that backs what they sell and if you buy a male you really get a male. BUT more than that you actually get a healthy baby. I would never recommend buying randomly from just anyone much less doing this at a reptile show. I have seen so many times where this fails and a person ends up having a horrible first experience. Our site sponsors are fantastic.

Start reading through this husbandry program. It will explain in detail what they need. After reading through it if you feel your not quite ready for that level of commitment then wait. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/

But many many people come in with no experience. I came into this hobby with no experience at all with reptiles. I became extremely knowledgeable being able to help other new members here. It takes work and the willingness to provide for them over yourself sometimes as they are expensive to house properly but in the end it was worth it for me.

 

[MissSkittles]

Sadly I had to cancel getting a Cham for the time being I’m still gonna do research but I’m not ready for the strict conditions and the cage set up, just gonna get a gecko probably. Thanks for letting me know what to buy when I am ready for one. I’m gonna get one as soon as I’m ready, but I’ll need to get more experienced in reptiles.

A sad, but wise decision. When you are ready, we’ll be here to help.