Got our first baby at the Seattle Reptile Expo today!! ;)

[Kelcie87]

After years of wanting a Cham, months of research, weeks preparing our setup, and far too much time spent browsing these forums....
We finally purchased our first Cham at the Seattle Reptile Expo today!! He is an adorable little baby Blue Bar Ambilobe! He seems to be adjusting well in his new home so far!

I'm just so excited, I needed to share my joy with other people. I feel like a kid on Christmas.


(I'll attach a picture, but its not a very good one. Taken on my phone, and I dont want to bother him too much while he's adjusting!)

 

[okiroo]

good job for doing your reserch! awsome cham! when you get home go ahead and post pics of all your stuff so we can help you on any possible problems. im shure you did gr8 tho. ^^

 

[lindawaz]

Awww How cute! Welcome to the forums and best of luck with your new Cham

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Welcome Kelcie!
How nice to see someone who has done their homework first!!
I hope you have many years of enjoyment with your baby!!
Anne

 

[Rycron]

What a handsome fellow!

 

[jcarlo17]

i went to that expo too

I hope you did do your research because as i was walking by checking stuff out there on saturday a lot of the vendors seemed a little to anxious to get rid of the chameleons and knowing they were just in a lil plastic container for the last two days i know they were so stressed wish you luck.

 

[Kelcie87]

I hope you did do your research because as i was walking by checking stuff out there on saturday a lot of the vendors seemed a little to anxious to get rid of the chameleons and knowing they were just in a lil plastic container for the last two days i know they were so stressed wish you luck.

Yes, I saw the ones in the little plastic containers, it was so sad! I'm sure they were so stressed out being there!!... We got this little guy from the LLL Reptile booth, which wasn't any better! Their Veileds look particularly stressed out and their Peacock Chams were down on the floor of the cage barely moving! So sad!!

 

[jcarlo17]

Yeah i could only hope those people buying animals knew what they were getting into because a lot of them werent leaving with a lot of stuff they needed :/ well seeing we probably live close if you have any questions on local pet shops that sell stuff for the chameleon lemme kno

 

[jcarlo17]

Yes, I saw the ones in the little plastic containers, it was so sad! I'm sure they were so stressed out being there!!... We got this little guy from the LLL Reptile booth, which wasn't any better! Their Veileds look particularly stressed out and their Peacock Chams were down on the floor of the cage barely moving! So sad!!

You should attach a photo of your set up soon so the guys on the forum can help with stuff you need or dont need

 

[Kelcie87]

Yeah i could only hope those people buying animals knew what they were getting into because a lot of them werent leaving with a lot of stuff they needed :/ well seeing we probably live close if you have any questions on local pet shops that sell stuff for the chameleon lemme kno

I actually live 2 hours north, by the Canadian border. My Dad manages a local pet store, they don't do anything with reptiles, but I can order just about anything at wholesale cost through their suppliers!

 

[Rycron]

Yes, I saw the ones in the little plastic containers, it was so sad! I'm sure they were so stressed out being there!!... We got this little guy from the LLL Reptile booth, which wasn't any better! Their Veileds look particularly stressed out and their Peacock Chams were down on the floor of the cage barely moving! So sad!!

Wow that's sad. I just got my veiled from Chameleon from LLL reptile because I'd seen good reviews. Mine is eating fine though and seems perfectly healthy. I imagine a reptile convention is probably stressful on an animal no matter what.

 

[Kelcie87]

You should attach a photo of your set up soon so the guys on the forum can help with stuff you need or dont need

I'll take some pictures of my set up in the morning (just put the lights out for the little guy)
Always open to feed back from experienced keepers!

 

[AJA]

Yes, I saw the ones in the little plastic containers, it was so sad! I'm sure they were so stressed out being there!!... We got this little guy from the LLL Reptile booth, which wasn't any better! Their Veileds look particularly stressed out and their Peacock Chams were down on the floor of the cage barely moving! So sad!!

What is even sadder is that show is SUPPOSE to be a CAPTIVE BRED show and I've bought chams from LLL there knowing full well they weren't but couldn't stand to see the chams suffer.

This is from the sponsor's website;

Either species or common name must identify all animals offered for sale. All animals must be captive-bred; NO EXCEPTIONS! We inspect all animals prior to the show opening.


*cough*cough*

Congratulations on your new chameleon by the by.

 

[Chameleopatrick]

Yes, I saw the ones in the little plastic containers, it was so sad! I'm sure they were so stressed out being there!!... We got this little guy from the LLL Reptile booth, which wasn't any better! Their Veileds look particularly stressed out and their Peacock Chams were down on the floor of the cage barely moving! So sad!!

I purchased some peacock chameleons from LLL last week, they came in very sick, two died with in 72 hours. When I saw the LLL both at the show I went over to see their chams and was disgusted by how they were keeped and looked. When i tried to buy the healthiest peacock male avaiable for my breeding colony(slim pickins) the guy tried to charge me 180.00 for a 59.00 cham. Its clear that LLL reptile shouldn't be in chameleon business, they try and rip you off buy selling sick, very sick, and almost dead wild caughts, absolutely horrible quality, and then overcharge hoping you're too dumb to figure it out. I have been raising and breeding chams in the northwest since 92", the product LLL sells has been the worst I have seen in 19 years in the hobby.

 

[Kelcie87]

Here's my setup......

For those of you who were asking, here are some pictures of my setup.

(Keep in mind that I have a large Schefflera ordered from my family's garden/pet store, it should be arriving soon, so there will be a live plant/more places to hide before the end of this week!)

And I figured I might as well fill out the 'Help Form' too, just so you dont have to ask me all those questions. Let me know if there is anything I should change! Thanks.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Panther Chameleon. 2-3 months old
Handling - Only once so far to put him in the cage. Plan to keep it to a minimum of course.
Feeding - Cup feeding Small Crickets. Gut-loaded with "Bug Burger", collard greens, & apples. (Will use some of the other recommended veggies & fruit as time goes on!)
Supplements - ZooMed Repti Calcium everyday. Calcium w/ D3 twice a month, ReptiVit twice a month.
Watering - Dripper runs all day. Misting 3-4 times a day for a few minutes. I've seen him drink both off the leaves and straight out of the dripper.
Fecal Description - Normal. Dark with white end. Never tested for parasites
History - JUST got him from LLL Reptiles at the Expo

Cage Info:
Cage Type - ReptiBreeze Med. 16x16x30 (Will upgrade to the 24x24x48 once he's bigger!)
Lighting - RepitSun 5.0 for UVB. 40W house bulb for heat. 12 hrs On, 12 Off
Temperature - 86 in the bask spot. Mid 70s at the bottom. Down to 60s at night. Have digital a thermometer at top and an analog at bottom.
Humidity - 55%. Higher (70-80%) after misting! Have digital hydrometer in cage.
Plants - Only fake at the moment. Getting a Schefflera this week!
Placement - In the living room. About 3 feet off the ground. Not near any vents or fans.
Location - Washington State