Hello! & a few Questions

[als1104]

Hello! Im new to the board and new to Chameleons so I have a few questions! I have been researching for close to a year to make sure I know what Im getting into and its what i really want. Im not new to reptiles, i had a brazilian rainbow boa which aren't real easy to keep. but not the same as chameleons, i know. but anyway, my boyfriend bought me a chameleon set up for christmas so now i'm in the market to actually buy a chameleon. i have the enclosure all set up, lights, gauges, vines & branches, spray bottle, cricket stuff, ect. i really like the panther chameleons- but are they beginner friendly enough for a first chameleon? I've read that they're beginner friendly and easier to take care of than other species, but have also been told i need to start out with a veiled chameleon, because they're the hardiest and "if i bought a panther i would most likely kill it". i would rather buy from a private breeder than somewhere like petsmart, i've seen some really nice young chameleons on the classifieds on here. what are the particulars on shipping a baby chameleon if i were to buy off here or anywhere out of driving distance?

thanks in advance!

 

[Carlton]

Hello! Im new to the board and new to Chameleons so I have a few questions! I have been researching for close to a year to make sure I know what Im getting into and its what i really want. Im not new to reptiles, i had a brazilian rainbow boa which aren't real easy to keep. but not the same as chameleons, i know. but anyway, my boyfriend bought me a chameleon set up for christmas so now i'm in the market to actually buy a chameleon. i have the enclosure all set up, lights, gauges, vines & branches, spray bottle, cricket stuff, ect. i really like the panther chameleons- but are they beginner friendly enough for a first chameleon? I've read that they're beginner friendly and easier to take care of than other species, but have also been told i need to start out with a veiled chameleon, because they're the hardiest and "if i bought a panther i would most likely kill it". i would rather buy from a private breeder than somewhere like petsmart, i've seen some really nice young chameleons on the classifieds on here. what are the particulars on shipping a baby chameleon if i were to buy off here or anywhere out of driving distance?

thanks in advance!

No you don't have to start with a veiled necessarily. Panthers can sure be a starter species...it all depends on how well you do your research and prepare for it ahead of time. There are great forums links to complete cham care you can read and then ask specific questions. Please describe what you now have for a setup so we can suggest things you will still need or correct something that might cause problems later. Think about what your house climate is in all seasons (such as hot in summer, very dry, etc) too. The forum sponsors can give you their shipping requirements too, as it will vary depending on where you live.

 

[xraygirl]

My advice for your set up, get a automated misting system.... it's worth the money and worlds better than hand spraying.

 

[ridgebax1]

Automated misting system for sure but stay away from Monsoon 400 go with mistking or aqua zamp. How big is your enclosure, what type of lamps do you have for heat/uvb? Welcome and there are lots of folks on here willing to share their extensive knowledge with aspiring cham keepers

 

[Jordyt]

Welcome

I have had my panther chameleon for five months now (eight months old) and she is my first chameleon. As long as you follow the caresheet posted on this forum and ask lots of questions, you should be fine with a panther.

This forum is a great resource and you learn a lot just browsing the threads.

 

[kplatvoet]

I work in a shipping department- shipping chameleons scares me- most of the breeders here use "ship my reptiles" one of the sponsors who have been shipping reptiles for a while- I just ordered my first one that is going to be shipped - I'm going to have him sent for "hold for pickup" as I don't want him in a delivery truck. I've been waiting till after the Christmas package rush. (And hopefully everyone has done their returns) now I just have to check the weather- almost everything goes through TN. so I have to check the weather there also. I expect to get him home in the am and that he will most likely hide for a couple of days- and he will not eat as much in the first couple of days - though some people report there new arrivals settle in pretty quick.

I thought I had every thing ready for my first one though but I hadn't checked things as well as I should have and picked up a mister at the last min- I ended up having to move to much around and my drainage wasn't as good as it should have been - I know it caused stress - My suggestion is to check your cage as if it has a baby panther in it for at least a weekend before he arrives -and figure that moisture causes mold and all sorts of bad things. If your going to be using a sprayer instead of a misting system figure how often you can spray if it's a work day - I would suggest you use a pump sprayer if your hand misting - and a dripper- but run your dripper and figure where the water is going to go - My Jackson mostly drinks from her dripper while my Panther likes his dome but I don't think it's because of the species - you want a system that can handle a lot of water and still dry out and is easy to wipe clean quickly without moving things around.

Post a picture of your set up - ask for suggestions - you'll get them- baby panthers like to hide and like lots of real plants - I would say a panther from a good breeder are way more hardy than anything you would get at petsmart- especially if they go to a well researched home with the proper set up. I personally tend to lean toward a larger more experienced breeder for their shipping experience for a shipped chameleon- but there are smaller breeders that I would not have any worries with because I've read their comments on the forum.