Help me choose a chameleon buddy?

Trillian

Trillian

New Member
I want a properly-researched chameleon, we will only have one, and it will be spoiled rotten, so I'd rather spend what it takes and get the correct cham for us.

I know I want a female, I do like the idea her being a pretty sturdy beast, happy with being misted a few times a day etc, something fairly forgiving. About the 6 to 8" s/v size. And it must be CBB, that's the only thing I know for absolutely certain. We're thinking of researching and making a purchase sometime around the end of June.

Are there any other chameleons that are fairly sturdy and forgiving like the panthers? We have a large open-plan ground floor, and I'd really like a big leafy tree or two in a corner as a free range, but a large screen cage for night-times and days when it's not convenient to have a chameleon wandering about. I think that's the best of both worlds for us, she'll get the space and freedom, with the backup of a secure cage, and I don't have to spend my time gazing through mesh to see our lovely lady.

Even wild ideas are welcome. I have a month so more chams to consider the better chance I will buy the correct one for me.
 
A veiled would be your perfect mate! They are so hardy as I've been told so many time's before. And alot of people breed them on this forum so you can get your hands on a very heathly subject for spoiling purposes...of coruse!
 
I think a veiled or panther would be good. I would highly recommend a male instead of a female. The females can be tricky even for us experienced keepers.
 
I don't think i'd ever want a female unless i was intending to breed just because of all the extra complications that can come with egg laying. Plus the males just look SO good.
 
I would say, look at the photo threads on here and see which species really grabs you. I have had 2 female Veileds, one being my first chameleon. Females are beautiful and there is something extra special about them. If a female is what you really want then as long as you do plenty of research and get the cage up and running beforehand so you can get temps and humidity right then I see no reason why you should get male over female. At the end of the day it comes down to which one really 'grabs' you, whether it be Veiled, Panther or even a Jackson. Getting a healthy youngster from a reliable breeder is also a great start for both you and the chameleon.

You have a good start as you already know that females can and do lay eggs without even seeing a male. So, you will provide her with a place to lay, and this, couple with good husbandry should see you through. Yes, laying time is nerve wracking, worrying and even frustrating, but females are so worth the extra care. But if you keep her correctly and provide her with a place to lay her eggs, then she will get on with the job all on her own and in her own time. Of course, things can and do go wrong, but getting her care right goes a long way to helping prevent anything going wrong. I know all too well how stressful it is when they lay - I believe I now know how my OH must have felt when I was in labour with the kids! I would literally pace the floor until she was done!
 
Ok when I talked to you last you said you have ruled out panther, veileds and jacksons. So you are going outside that standard group am I correct? I will check sizes and care, but I have a couple ideas and know more people will when they know you are not after the big 3.
 
You're right, Laurie, I haven't entirely ruled them out, but I'd prefer something a bit different, and the Big 3 (lol) haven't really grabbed me. Feel free to chase me with flaming torches for being naive, but Parsons look lovely, like smug little dinosaurs, but they are terrifyingly expensive, and I'd feel guilty owning one that I wasn't intending to breed.

Cost isn't a motivating factor, I'm not hugely wealthy, but I'm prepared to pay more to get the right chameleon for all of us. And definitely from a reputable breeder and I will only consider CBB, which rules out a few species right away, I believe.
 
Then you need a nice female Furcifer lateralis or in layman's terms a Carpet Chameleon. Smallish, colourful and best of all come in CBB format.
 
I'm reconsidering Mellers! I was worried about the size of cage and drainage and food required, but I think if I can set up a reasonable free range area, it should be less of an issue, I think.
 
Quads are perfect ,humidity is a must but they are nice and non agressive,they won't bury their nails into your hand like my veiled .
 
The carpets are very beautiful, but they sound quite shy usually, I'd prefer a chameleon who didn't object too much to humans sharing the house.
 
Ok here i go again:D you like a parsons, the biggest cham out there and think a melleri is to large? You are starting to sound like what they accuse me of--- being female.:rolleyes: I have had carpets and they are shy. I have the sweetest quad in the world but only because he has a very large bedroom to himself. Spoiled brat indeed. You will need a dripper, dripping into the plants, a UVB light and a heat light in you free range trees but that is easy. But you will need that for any cham. I still think melleri might be the way to go.
 
I think you could be right, Laurie... they are pretty scrumptious...

Anyone got any babies?! *patience and planning evaporates*
 
If you are looking for information on chameleons I would suggest only going here or one of the sponsors, the "reptilechannel" may not be accurate. They have petco as a sponsor :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ThatOneDisease
Help me! New chamleon owner!
3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
5K
IrohtheVeiled
IrohtheVeiled
DeremensisBlue
It has been TEN years!!
Replies
12
Views
821
LizardLurkin
LizardLurkin
C
Don’t (always) Blindly Trust Your Vet
Replies
4
Views
488
cincychams
C
M
New panther chameleon owner
Replies
19
Views
3K
ERKleRose
ERKleRose
MissSkittles
Gotcha time of year
Replies
7
Views
2K
pasquel2012
P
Back
Top Bottom