Hey

[BradInBlack]

Hello everyone,

I'm new and am currently not a chameleon owner. I just had a quick question about them before I even think about buying one. I was just wondering why in all the information I've read about chameleons they all say for "experienced" owners. What makes them more difficult than any other reptile to keep?

Thanks

 

[lslcronk]

They are more sensitive to thier specific care requirements than a lot of reptiles. The humidity NEEDS to be right, the air quality NEEDS to be right, the supplements/dietary requirements NEED to be right, temps NEED to be right. My understanding is it is not necessarily that they are more difficult, they are just much less forgiving if you slack off on thier husbandry. I am sure you will get a plethora of responses here!

Edit: oops forgot about misting, bug keeping, plant care etc etc...I do more work caring for Claude's food than for him! lol They are WAY more futzy than say my beardies and crested geckos. There is a lot and I am fairly new to this myself, I have had Claude since April and he seems to be doing well (knock on wood)!!

 

[BradInBlack]

They are more sensitive to thier specific care requirements than a lot of reptiles. The humidity NEEDS to be right, the air quality NEEDS to be right, the supplements/dietary requirements NEED to be right, temps NEED to be right. My understanding is it is not necessarily that they are more difficult, they are just much less forgiving if you slack off on thier husbandry. I am sure you will get a plethora of responses here!

Thanks for the quick reply. I've never actually owned a reptile before. I have caught hundreds of anoles and skinks at my grandmother's house when I was a kid because she lives in the middle of nowhere lol and rescued many a turtle from roads when i see them. But yeah, im just in the market for a lizard and ive always thought chameleons were really cool. But I didnt know how beginner friendly they were and if theyre cool with being handled very often.

 

[lslcronk]

Well, if you want a pet you can hold and hang out with...the cham is not your lizard! lol A lot of them would rather chew thier foot off than be held (it is an individual trait though, some seem to enjoy it). That is not to say you cant EVER hold them, it is kinda up to the cham how much it will tolerate. It also depends how much money you are willing to sink into a first reptile! lol I have kept a lot of reptiles but this guy is killing me! Some if it is necessary items - the right cages for inside and outside, misting, food every month, light (both basking and UVB), water, supplements and gutload for the food items. BUT then there is all the FUN stuff...automatic misting system,plants, vines, sticks, the new plants, the better cage, the better gutload, another chameleon etc...it just keeps going! I am definately not trying to scare you off, but I thought about getting a cham for 11 years before I came back to it, I was not ready for one until now! I just want you to know what you are getting into before you buy a cham and then find out it is not going to work for you! Also, no one mentions veterinary care...make sure you have a herp vet and the money set aside for an emergency! Most ppl forget that these guys can and most likely will need a vet at some point!

 

[BradInBlack]

Well, if you want a pet you can hold and hang out with...the cham is not your lizard! lol A lot of them would rather chew thier foot off than be held (it is an individual trait though, some seem to enjoy it). That is not to say you cant EVER hold them, it is kinda up to the cham how much it will tolerate. It also depends how much money you are willing to sink into a first reptile! lol I have kept a lot of reptiles but this guy is killing me! Some if it is necessary items - the right cages for inside and outside, misting, food every month, light (both basking and UVB), water, supplements and gutload for the food items. BUT then there is all the FUN stuff...automatic misting system,plants, vines, sticks, the new plants, the better cage, the better gutload, another chameleon etc...it just keeps going! I am definately not trying to scare you off, but I thought about getting a cham for 11 years before I came back to it, I was not ready for one until now! I just want you to know what you are getting into before you buy a cham and then find out it is not going to work for you! Also, no one mentions veterinary care...make sure you have a herp vet and the money set aside for an emergency! Most ppl forget that these guys can and most likely will need a vet at some point!

Well thanks a lot for the info. Ill probably hold off on buying one any time soon. I dont want to get it and then not be able to give it the proper care it needs to live and be happy.

 

[lslcronk]

They are amazing creatures, thier personalities are hilarious - Claude cant decide if he hates me or not! lol If you arent in a hurry hang here, ask questions - read EVERYTHING and gather all the best info you can. Everyone was a newbie to chams at one point lol you have to start somewhere and this is a good place!! The senior members are amazing - I am hoping Carol, JannB, Kinyongia etc etc (there are A LOT of good ppl here) will post for you, they have lists of info...these are the only ones I can find at the moment https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/basic-husbandry-38769/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/supplementation-mbd-1-a-2451/