Hello indruducing myself

Fool

Fool

New Member
Hello all my names Frank I live in southern cali just want to say hi to the chameleon forums. I don't have a chameleon yet but I plan to get one in a year or two. I'm on a budget so I have to save like 25 to 85$ a month but with time and patience ill do it. I had one chameleon but because of ignorance and false trust in a pet owner who was just about knowledgeable in chameleons as I was he died and the pet owner had a one day warranty while petco has 2 weeks :/.

Well ive been asking questions around the enclousers section because I want a idea about what I need. I hope I dont bother any of you ill be around for awhile I have a curious mind and I ask alot of questions and im also blunt and mean in a weird way sometimes so if I am im sorry its just how I am but dont worry im not rude in a child way. Thats about it im glad im here and I hope to talk with alot of you and get to know you all and learn mostly and importantly about my future chameleon baby :D. P.S my spelling and grammar is bad so please dont bother mentioning because it wont get better lol.:confused:
 
Hi there and welcome to the forum!!!! I think its fantastic that you're already doing research before you get your new addition. You'll catch the cham bug really quickly and before you know it you'll have a new baby. Anyhow, have fun and if there are any questions don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help :):)
 
Hello Fool!!!:D:)

Welcome and dont worry, we are here to help:)
so please feel free to bombard us with questions, we are usually more than happy to answer any if not all of your questions...:)

and i understand wat you went through:o my first was a female jackson and i was too niave as a 8-9 year old to keep one:o

and also i do not see much grammar or spelling error:confused: looks perfect to me:p
 
Chameleon Checklist:

BASICS:

-screen cage depending on the size and age of your chameleon. if you are on a budget, than I would go straight ahead and get it's permanent enclosure. 48'' tall or bigger is recommended of full sized true chameleon. With this being purchased, if needed, you could section off a certain amount of the cage until it is big enough for it's full size. Also if you are on a budget, making your own cage could very well be the way to go (depending on what you want to use). There are plenty of threads on DIY cages (not the company DIY cages) but do it yourselves. Just clarifying.

- for any cage single cage a 24'' fluorescent light fixture would be needed. This needs to be a T8 size, and if you can find a double light fixture, that would be most beneficial to you. Fixtures aren't expensive, you are looking roughly around 20-25$ at Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart.

- along with the light fixture, you will need a ZooMed ReptiSUN 5.0 or an Exo-Terra ReptiGLO 5.0 as your uvb source. If you end up finding and purchasing a double fixture, you can add a 6500K daylight bulb. This will aid to plant growth, give extra viewing light and not output any unnecessary UV. These bulbs are roughly 3-5$ at Lowe's and Home Depot.

- lastly for light sources, you will need a 5.5'' or 8.5'' light dome (look on Kijiji.com for used ones in your area) your best bargin would be using an incandescent house bulb as your heat sources basking light. You would need to use common sense and play around with different wattages to achieve what you want your basking spot to be. Please do research to know exactly what basking temps the species and age of your chameleon needs. These bulbs can cost around 1-2$ for one bulb and can find at any hardware store or Walmart.

- digital thermometer and hygrometer to monitor your basking temp and the humidity in the cage. You can find indoor/outdoor ones that are electronic, and will read both for between 9-15$. **YOU WILL WANT ONES WITH WIRED PROBES INSTALLED WITH THEM.



ESTHETICS:

- vines and branches: you can purchase a pack of BioVine or Exo-Terra vines to get you started, these can be used perfectly for horizontal walkways. On budget, you can also go out and find good condition branches. Please do research on how to properly clean and prepare before entering into the tank

- foliage: live potted plants are recommended highly. you can find Schefflera Aboricola, Ficus Benjimina and Golden Pothos at most Home Depots and Lowe's. They are generally not expensive. But you will need to purchase an organic soil to replant, and riverbed rocks to prevent dirt ingestion.

- fake plants: it never hurts to fill up spaces with fake plants. you can purchase trusted fake plants by Exo-Terra (silk proffered). On budget, you can pick well crafted fake plants from Michael's Art Supplies. (make sure the plant is not made with toxic dyes and inspect to see any possible metal wire hazzards)



ODDS & ENDS:

-water bottle or pump sprayer. You can also buy a starter MistKing with a timer in case you aren't home consistently to always give proper mist downs.
-a timer for your lights: rid of the hassle of turning on and off your light sources. 12/12 hr light cycles is commonly used.
-laying bin with play sand (if acquiring a female chameleon) you dont need this right away though.





I think that's all. :o I hope this helps.

-Phil
 
Wow, Phil, that's a really good list. The only thing I would add for someone on a strict budget is to set aside an emergency vet fund. I had to go to the vet in the first month I had my cham, it wasn't anything I or the breeder could have prevented, it was just bad luck. You never know if you will need to go to the vet, so set aside some money for that purpose. I would say at least $150.00, or more. Hopefully you will never need it.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum, Fool! Good job with informing yourself before you get a chameleon. I'm sure you will find a lot of helpful information here.

Teresa
 
KingJulien said:
Wow, Phil, that's a really good list. The only thing I would add for someone on a strict budget is to set aside an emergency vet fund. I had to go to the vet in the first month I had my cham, it wasn't anything I or the breeder could have prevented, it was just bad luck. You never know if you will need to go to the vet, so set aside some money for that purpose. I would say at least $150.00, or more. Hopefully you will never need it.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum, Fool! Good job with informing yourself before you get a chameleon. I'm sure you will find a lot of helpful information here.

Teresa
Click to expand...

very true, God forbid you will ever need it. Chameleons are vulnerable creatures, and even with the best care, accidents and problems are always a potential. but good call Teresa
 
Thank you for being responsible and doing your research first! If all new owners would only follow your guide! A great idea from King Julian for suggesting the emergency vet fund. I have seen it far too often on here where a cham needs a vet visit and the owner cannot go because of lack of funds. Seems like you will have all your bases covered when the time comes. So welcome to the forum!
 
Welcome Fool (I always use the handle....I'm old and afraid of internet security issues)! I think you are utterly brilliant to start putting that money away in advance because the price of the chameleon is only a small part of the price of the hobby.

You didn't mention what sort of chameleon you wanted to buy. I wanted to strongly suggest you consider a male veiled or male panther as your first (there will be more!). You should be able to get a captive bred veiled or panther easily and being captive bred is an automatic health advantage. Males don't have the potential for laying eggs that makes females a tad more challenging.
 
 
Thank you for the welcome guys also I was leaning more towards the panther because I read their tempature is from high 90s F to 35F on winter days im not saying ill have him in those extremes but It does get hot here in california 103F todday where I live so I want one that isnt to sensitive, since it will be my first one raised. Oh I want a boy I dont know, a girl seems intimidating ill feel weird with her eggs being layed lol I think ill raise a boy then maybe a girl. Thanks phil thats great advice ditto to you king julian I never thought of that I may have to look for a reptile vet in my area as well before I get the chameleon. At last I feel nervous about this whole thing because Im nervous lol it will be my real test to taking care of something as close to a child ive ever raised hope I do good.
 
Welcome I'm pretty new around these parts and I've back tracked all 80 something pages in each catagory trying to learn as much as i can...there are a great deal of people willing to help
 
Hello Fool and Welcome. I'm a newbie here myself and I just got my first Chameleon on Wednesday. He is a Veiled and he's a sweetie (so far). I did tons on research on chameleons before I purchased Titus, but I have to say that it has helped. Although when you do get one, it seems like there is always something that you didn't catch in all your research. At least that's the way it was for me. There are wonderful people here on the forum that are a great help, when questions do arise and they will as soon as the little guy gets home with you. :) Have fun researching.
 
LOL scratch that im going to get a veiled I thought panthers were 40-60 bucks guess I was mistaken was the veiled :).
 
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