I can't decide on a cham

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

So I've been doing research off and on about chams for a few months, and I have had no luck figuring out what species I want. I was originally looking at panthers, but decided I wasn't dead set on one and figured I'd ask around.


I'm not picky about color. With reptiles, I like morphs, but I also don't mind just a plain old 'normal' or anything. If I have a chance to get this or that, I might make choice, but color isn't very important.

Temperament I'm a little picky with. I'd like something and won't gape or hiss or bite at me every chance it gets, and won't mind being handled every now and then (maybe twice a week?) for short amount of times. I'd ideally like something that will recognize me for better, not worse.

Size I'm not sure I care about, since the caging size for chams all seems to be about the same, 4 feet tall, 2 feet wide in both directions. I think I might like something smaller than a big male panther, though.



I'm not sure what else might be a factor, since I'm still trying to find a species specifically to research.






EDIT: I've also been looking into bearded pygmy chameleons that I'm sure are nice, but the only info I can find is on Wiki (thus it's not pet based) and on a website that says that flapneck or Fishcher's(sp?) chams can live well in a 15-20 gal tank. -.-
And I don't know where to get them. xD

 

[allencg101]

i'd say a fischer or a jackson sounds like thats what your looking for.

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

I do think the Jackson's is what I'm looking for... I definitely like all the looks on them I'm finding from a quick Google images search (especially the blue ones, holy crap. o_o), and I think the body size and shape agrees with my eye. The slightly better life span is a definite plus. I like to have some time with my animals.

I think the somewhat smaller recommended cage size will give me some more wiggle room too.

 

[allencg101]

2-2-4 but my buddy has a common jackson and he is 9-10" from nose to butt he is a pretty big boy if thats too big for you then i'd go with a fischer.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Temperament I'm a little picky with. I'd like something and won't gape or hiss or bite at me every chance it gets, and won't mind being handled every now and then (maybe twice a week?) for short amount of times. I'd ideally like something that will recognize me for better, not worse.

Unfortunately this is entirely variable and dependent on individual animals. There is not one species that enjoys handling more than the rest and even the more docile species can be aggressive. There's no good predictor of a cham's temperament and imo there's no real way to "tame" one down. Some people have very calm, handleable veileds but mine thinks I'm the devil. And some people have very aggressive panthers but mine is a social butterfly. Jackson's on the whole tend to be docile, but still varies with individual personalities.

I've also been looking into bearded pygmy chameleons that I'm sure are nice, but the only info I can find is on Wiki (thus it's not pet based) and on a website that says that flapneck or Fishcher's(sp?) chams can live well in a 15-20 gal tank. -.-
And I don't know where to get them. xD

Pygmys are super cute and can be kept in small terrariums, but they are for looking, not holding. They are very tiny and you basically give them a heart attack any time you try to handle them. Flapneck and fischer's chameleons should not be kept in that small of a tank. Jackson's are a great species to work with but they still require a fairly large cage. I keep mine in an 18x18x36" tall screen cage and that's generally the minimum dimensions recommended for this species. He definitely uses the whole cage and I wish I could give him even more space (now he has a much larger outside cage too). The xantholophus species is the most commonly available and you can usually find them captive bred, which is a bonus because they're acclimated to captivity from the start, you know the age, and they're healthier than a recently important specimen.

Here's some info to get you started on the specifics of the species you're considering:

Jackson chameleon
Fischer's chameleon
Flapneck chameleon
R. brevicaudatus (pygmy)

 

[allencg101]

yeah i forgot about flapnecks i got 45 eggs incubating right now if you can waite i'd be more then happy to hook you up when they are ready!!!

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

2-2-4 but my buddy has a common jackson and he is 9-10" from nose to butt he is a pretty big boy if thats too big for you then i'd go with a fischer.

I'm pretty sure I could handle it, I just don't want to get something that will end up being too big for the first cham I get and overwhelming me. xD Like a male panther. ~2 feet of chamy goodness might be a bit too big for me, and heavy, I'm sure.

Unfortunately this is entirely variable and dependent on individual animals. There is not one species that enjoys handling more than the rest and even the more docile species can be aggressive. There's no good predictor of a cham's temperament and imo there's no real way to "tame" one down. Some people have very calm, handleable veileds but mine thinks I'm the devil. And some people have very aggressive panthers but mine is a social butterfly. Jackson's on the whole tend to be docile, but still varies with individual personalities.

I'll be more careful with asking questions than I usually am once I start looking for one to get then.

Pygmys are super cute and can be kept in small terrariums, but they are for looking, not holding. They are very tiny and you basically give them a heart attack any time you try to handle them. Flapneck and fischer's chameleons should not be kept in that small of a tank. Jackson's are a great species to work with but they still require a fairly large cage. I keep mine in an 18x18x36" tall screen cage and that's generally the minimum dimensions recommended for this species. He definitely uses the whole cage and I wish I could give him even more space (now he has a much larger outside cage too). The xantholophus species is the most commonly available and you can usually find them captive bred, which is a bonus because they're acclimated to captivity from the start, you know the age, and they're healthier than a recently important specimen.

Here's some info to get you started on the specifics of the species you're considering:

Jackson chameleon
Fischer's chameleon
Flapneck chameleon
R. brevicaudatus (pygmy)

I can imagine it's hard to give the pygmies the right size food, too.

Thanks for the links. I have horrible luck with finding info on chams.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I can imagine it's hard to give the pygmies the right size food, too.

Not really, just order really little crickets.

Thanks for the links. I have horrible luck with finding info on chams.

If you need more info just ask, we can give you good links to just about anything!

 

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

I hate crickets. Not a problem since I already have a little mealworm colony, some dubias, and am looking into horn worms, silkworms, super worms, and lobster roaches.

Omn nom nom nom.



I did see that someone said that their dry feeder gut load with a CRAPLOAD of parsley flakes (1/3 of the mixture I think) is supposed to keep them from smelling, so I might try that.

yeah i forgot about flapnecks i got 45 eggs incubating right now if you can waite i'd be more then happy to hook you up when they are ready!!!

Holy crap, ha ha. xD I'll remember while I research a bit more.

 

[AZChamFan]

2-2-4 but my buddy has a common jackson and he is 9-10" from nose to butt he is a pretty big boy if thats too big for you then i'd go with a fischer.

really?? does your buddy live near a nuclear power plant??

 

[allencg101]

really?? does your buddy live near a nuclear power plant??

no he doesn't his jackson is just big he is the biggest i've ever seen for a male at first i thought it was a mt kenyon but its not he goes through like 3 dollars of crickets everyday.