Glass Terrarium

[tigermaniac22311]

I am getting my first chameleon tomorrow (Friday April 16), but the only problem is I only have a glass terrarium and my wire cage comes in on Tuesday. Should I just put off buying my chameleon or will he/she do fine in a glass terrarium for five days?

 

[Montium]

what kinda cham? how big is the cham? how big is the terrarium? is it vented? etc etc etc

 

[tigermaniac22311]

I have not seen the chameleon but it is going to be a Jackson's. The tank is 20 gallons. I don't know the measurements. But I have a screen over the hibiscus so he will not escape. So I have 1/2 of the top getting direct air, UVB and heating lamp.

 

[xanthoman]

somebody has to say it

xanths dont take well to having their situation changed on them. it is wise to have cage, cage furniture, lights, plants watering, and temps, and a basic understanding of their care requirements all in place before you get any chameleon. you didnt say how old this cham will be, but a 20g aquarium, is not a suitable housing for an adult jackson's, not even for a few days, i understand you are anxious to get your cham, but wouldnt it make more sense to take an extra week and get him off to a better start? just for the record, xanths are not usually recomended as starter species, and are unlikely to survive a learn as you go/trial & error approach, sorry to burst your bubble, but it is better you learn it now, than after your cham is on the floor of your cage. jmo

 

[tigermaniac22311]

I understand completely, but the chameleon comes into the store tomorrow and the display cage at the store is not even close to suitable for any sort of animal. I would rather keep it in a 20g tank with live plants, misting system, UVB, and adequate food than keep it in a 7g tank with one plastic vine. So I will see if I can pay for it and them keep it at the store until my cage comes in. Also the only chameleon in town is a Jackson's so it is that or nothing.

 

[xanthoman]

why buy a chameleon through the mail , that you have a chance of taking care of , when you can buy one locally, that you dont. a misting system will flood a 20 g and you never really said what your uvb was. you said, "Also the only chameleon in town is a Jackson's so it is that or nothing." i say, they might just be, one and the same. jmo

 

[draetish]

I agree with xanthoman and one other thing to consider, buying from pet stores is a crap shoot. You don't know where the animal is from or how it's been cared for. You could end up spending big bucks on a vet. Save your money and don't buy it. There are many wonderful breeders on this forum that will sell you a healthy cham and give you the support you need to care for it.