Hello! New Here!

[ajb28221]

Hello everyone I have just joined this forum today because I plan on getting a cham in the near future and I have always found that forums are the best place to find reliable accurate info. I live in VA and am an avid reptile collector, I have multiple different types of geckos so I am not new to caring for animals at all, I will be new to chameleons so any help is much appreciated What type of chameleon should I get? I've been looking at veiled and panthers but want input from others, I am on a budget so not trying to get anything crazy since it will be my first! What kind of cage should I use? I know screen is a must for chameleons right? Bc I do have multiple empty tall exo-terra terrariums but I don't know if that is suitable for them. Sorry Intro was so long lol

Thanks,
Austin

 

[gerhartrx]

Welcome!

What type of chameleon should I get? I've been looking at veiled and panthers but want input from others - Either Veiled or Panthers are beautiful and relatively easy for beginers which you are and are not because of your experience. You also should look at some of the other types as well and pick the one you like the best.
I am on a budget so not trying to get anything crazy since it will be my first! What kind of cage should I use? I know screen is a must for chameleons right? Bc I do have multiple empty tall exo-terra terrariums but I don't know if that is suitable for them.
Here is a run down of what you should get an look at while considering equipment, supplements, cages, plant (live and fake). Let me know if you have any questions.

Suggested Supplements :
Rep-Cal with D3 (This is the twice a month calcium supplement) - http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...lcium-with-d3/

Rep-Cal without D3 (This is the daily supplement)-
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...um-without-d3/

Rep-Cal Hertivite (This is a twice monthly vitamin with beta carotene)-
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...te-supplement/

To "Dust" the feeders means to take the food that you are offering your cham. Take a small cup put a very small amount of the above supplements and the feeders and shake them around the powder will adhere to the food and therefore be Dusted.

Secondly try to use various types of feeders. Crickets, Reptiworms, Silk Worms, Superworms...
SITE: http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...ches-and-more/
or
http://www.flukerfarms.com/
or
http://www.specialtyreptile.com/prod...eptiworms.html
or
http://roachesrus.com/

Here is an example of some cage options instead of your current option:
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...sic-reptarium/

Here is some light needs links (Remember to go 12hrs on and 12 hours off):
This one is the most important (Zoo med 18" Repti Sun 5.0 UVB Bulb) - This will help to provide an artificial light source.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...n-50-uvb-bulb/
Here is the hood that will light the bulb above -
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...-hood-fixture/
Then you will need to use a house light bulb 40 W (at first) with a light hood to maintain temps around 80 degrees.

Here is a package that includes a veiled cham but you can ask them to not include and the setup is something like $99
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...eleon-package/

Hopefully this will help you.

 

[lisa h]

Hi Austin! Welcome to the forum! As long as you know there are care differences with the different species, you should be fine choosing whatever species appeals to you. Some species CAN be kept in glass very successfully, however you need to do the research. There is a specific thread on the subject. I think it's called "Why chameleons can't be kept in glass", or something similar. Look it up, and see if some of the species talked about there might appeal to you.

Paul, while I appreciate the time you must have taken to provide all that info in your post, it is VERY general. Your supplement schedule might be correct for the species you keep, but is not appropriate for all (or even most). Your feeder, enclosure, and even light info is not appropriate for every species.

When giving advice, try to stick with what you know. No advice is better than incorrect advice. I don't pretend to know everything, as I am always learning, and if I don't know I have learned to shut up.

 

[gerhartrx]

Hi Austin! Welcome to the forum! As long as you know there are care differences with the different species, you should be fine choosing whatever species appeals to you. Some species CAN be kept in glass very successfully, however you need to do the research. There is a specific thread on the subject. I think it's called "Why chameleons can't be kept in glass", or something similar. Look it up, and see if some of the species talked about there might appeal to you.

Paul, while I appreciate the time you must have taken to provide all that info in your post, it is VERY general. Your supplement schedule might be correct for the species you keep, but is not appropriate for all (or even most). Your feeder, enclosure, and even light info is not appropriate for every species.

When giving advice, try to stick with what you know. No advice is better than incorrect advice. I don't pretend to know everything, as I am always learning, and if I don't know I have learned to shut up.

You are right. I was under the impression that this would be good for Veiled's and Panther's. I know it was relatively general but I thought that because this guy was already in the know this would be a good start. I will do more research to help better. Thanks for calling me out.

 

[lisa h]

Hey, I wasn't being b*tchy, but just cautionary. When I was fairly new I gave out lots of info -- and got called out A LOT. Lesson learned. I think we all do it at some point. No hard feelings I hope

On second thought, I probably still overstep myself sometimes. I'm sensitive, so I do take it personally LOL

 

[gerhartrx]

No hard feelings for sure! I would much rather get the right information.

 

[azgnoinc]

Since I've been in to chams for over 10 years, I believe in the old fashioned method of getting some books and reading them first, along with scouring info on CF and other web sites. If you are an "avid reptile" keeper you should realize it is far better to provide your animals with the best possible conditions for them than to rush to a decision and not care for the animal adequately Better to do your homework, and lots of it before you decide, then to jump into this unprepared.

And a warning, no one keeps only 1 chameleon for long - they are truly amazing and addicting to keep.