help me

[SamuelL91]

alright, so i dont got a chameleon yet beacuse i plan on moving in 5-7 months so i dont wanna get the little guy all set up then have to move him. so from now till i get him i wanna gain as much knowledge as possible with your guys help... ive never really own a pet before (goldfish when i was 8ish... named willy ) and i am aware that a chameleon isnt the easiest pet to take care of, but i think im up to the challenge. so what i need from you guys is ANY info, anything at all will be helpful and appreciated.​

Thanks
--Samuel

and a special thanks goes out to "ChamChick" cause if it wasnt for her id still be tryin to figure out how to post a... post?... whatever its called

 

[jojackson]

Welcome Sam You can start by clicking on the 'Resources' menu in green above, lots of info there.
What kind of chameleon do you think you'll aquire?

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum! Great idea to find out about them before getting one!

The cage set-up, watering, feeding and temperatures can differ from species to species somewhat and also in some cases with the sex and age of the chameleon but the following information should apply to most/all of them.

Appropriate cage temperatures aid in digestion and thus play a part indirectly in nutrient absorption. Temperatures needed can vary with the species and age. For hatchling panthers I keep the temperature in the warmest area in the low 80's. For older panthers I keep it in the mid to high 80's for the most part.

Exposure to UVB from either direct sunlight or a proper UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 so that it can use the calcium in its system to make/keep the bones strong and be used in other systems in the chameleon as well. The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic no matter whether its from the sun or the UVB light. The most often recommended UVB light is the long linear fluorescent Repti-sun 5.0 tube light. Some of the compacts, spirals and tube lights have caused health issues, but so far there have been no bad reports against this one.

Since many of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus in them, its important to dust the insects just before you feed them to the chameleon at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder to help make up for it. (I use Rep-cal phosphorus-free calcium).

If you also dust twice a month lightly with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder it will ensure that your chameleon gets some D3 without overdoing it. It leaves the chameleon to produce the rest of what it needs through its exposure to the UVB light. D3 from supplements can build up in the system but D3 produced from exposure to UVB shouldn't as long as the chameleon can move in and out of it. (I use Rep-cal phos.-free calcium/D3).

Dusting twice a month lightly as well with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene (prOformed) source of vitamin A will ensure that the chameleon gets some vitamins without the danger of overdosing the vitamin A. PrEformed sources of vitamin A can build up in the system and may prevent the D3 from doing its job and push the chameleon towards MBD. However, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene and so some people give some prEformed vitamin A once in a while. (I use herptivite.)

Gutloading/feeding the insects well helps to provide what the chameleon needs. I gutload crickets, roaches, locusts, superworms, etc. with an assortment of greens (dandelions, kale, collards, endive, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, sweet potato, sweet red pepper, zucchini, etc.)

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are important players in bone health and other systems in the chameleon (muscles, etc.) and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them, you need to look at the supplements, what you feed the insects and what you feed the chameleon.

Here are some good sites for you to read...
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebWheelock.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200605020...Vitamin.A.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200406080...d.Calcium.html
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/200601140...ww.adcham.com/
If you can't access the sites above that have the word "archive" in you can do it through the WayBackMachine.

 

[SamuelL91]

im kidda leaning towards a male "Nosy Be"...
and thanks for all the info and all so fast

 

[jojackson]

You will find these links worth reading too. cheers

https://www.chameleonforums.com/basic-husbandry-38769/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/

 

[Undertow11]

Check out the websites for the site sponsors... most of the breeders have tips and advice on their websites as to how they care for their chameleons and most of the breeders are quite friendly and will answer any additional questions you have and offer continued support extending well after you've purchased your chameleon.