thedashboardlight
New Member
Hello, I just signed up to the forum today because I am planning on buying a chameleon once I have some money saved up. I looked for a section in the forums for starting out but couldn't find one, so I am posting in hopes of gathering some information. I have never owned a chameleon, but did have a snake for 13 years growing up.
First question I have is, what is the best place to buy a chameleon? I live in the Albany, NY area, and I haven't looked into local options (which I will do this week), but I am open to ordering one online if I can get some good suggestions for sites. I found a few online but it is hard to tell if they are good without peer reviews.
The next thing I wanted to ask about was cage dimensions/specifications. I am planning on building my own cage, and was thinking of something maybe 2' x 2' but 4' or 5' tall as sq footage is a mild concern. Is it okay to use screen or mesh instead of glass? Should I get a live plant for the cage from the native region of chameleon I get? I would like to have a kind of tiered cage, with different levels of temperature at different heights (warmest at the top near the light, colder going down). Was thinking of building some branches and shelf-like things into the cage. Any pics of well built/creative cages would be appreciated, especially taller ones with a smaller base area like I am planning on! Also, is a UV light + a heatlamp all the lighting that is needed? What about putting in some kind of small sprinkler or mister? Or some kind of waterfall with a small pump to recycle? I want this to be a sharp looking, and of course appropriate, habitat.
I am in the process of reading all about the care of chameleons, but any additional links with regard to that aspect would also be appreciated along with personal advice, experience, etc.
I guess those are all my questions for now, although I'm sure many more will come once I actually get one!
Thanks!
matt
First question I have is, what is the best place to buy a chameleon? I live in the Albany, NY area, and I haven't looked into local options (which I will do this week), but I am open to ordering one online if I can get some good suggestions for sites. I found a few online but it is hard to tell if they are good without peer reviews.
The next thing I wanted to ask about was cage dimensions/specifications. I am planning on building my own cage, and was thinking of something maybe 2' x 2' but 4' or 5' tall as sq footage is a mild concern. Is it okay to use screen or mesh instead of glass? Should I get a live plant for the cage from the native region of chameleon I get? I would like to have a kind of tiered cage, with different levels of temperature at different heights (warmest at the top near the light, colder going down). Was thinking of building some branches and shelf-like things into the cage. Any pics of well built/creative cages would be appreciated, especially taller ones with a smaller base area like I am planning on! Also, is a UV light + a heatlamp all the lighting that is needed? What about putting in some kind of small sprinkler or mister? Or some kind of waterfall with a small pump to recycle? I want this to be a sharp looking, and of course appropriate, habitat.
I am in the process of reading all about the care of chameleons, but any additional links with regard to that aspect would also be appreciated along with personal advice, experience, etc.
I guess those are all my questions for now, although I'm sure many more will come once I actually get one!
Thanks!
matt