rogerrabbit
New Member
@seanUTD oh okay i see what you mean. does that happen alot?
I need a cage and the accesorries!!! HELP!!
- Thread starter rogerrabbit
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xVashtaNeradax
New Member
Correct. If you plan on buying from a pet store such as "petco" I can already tell you it has started, if you go the "carry-out" crickets route. They use to be 3.58 about 6 months ago, they are now 4.89 a box. I always get my crickets from the back, but I did notice the steady increase in price.
Syn
Avid Member
I skimmed through the replies and, eh, time for an unpopular opinion:
If you can't spend some money on supplies, don't spend money on a chameleon.
If you think spending $350 is out of the question, wait until you get a $200+ vet bill for something you may not expect or some odd accident happens.
However, this doesn't mean you can't get supplies for less than $350.
Save up $350 for a vet bill. No, don't go buy the chameleon and cage with this. Then, save up more money and browse craigslist for a while.
I've gotten a whole cage setup for $50 (less UVB bulbs, won't buy those used). Patience is key.
xVashtaNeradax
New Member
Agreed.
I would say, total cost of everything I bought to make sure my cham would arrive and stay in perfect health was about 700 dollars, that includes feeders, live plants, and a chameleon that was from a proven breeder, not a pet store. I saved another $550 for emergencies and continue to contribute part of my paycheck to it. You need to remember too that you are going to have to buy TWO cages over the course of your chameleon's lifespan, that is, if you plan on getting a baby. You must offer a variety of feeders and gutload them all, that means you will also be buying FOOD for your feeders, not just your chameleon. And I'm sure we've all seen how absurd food prices have become >_< though, maybe lettuce hasn't gone up terrible yet, but I do know my fruits & other veggies have!
rogerrabbit
New Member
Yeah i know i got 400 saved for the vet bills. but spending 350 for the cage and the lights is more then i want to pay.
Syn
Avid Member
It's probably a good thing you don't have to pay that much, right? 
If you are careful with what you do and what you buy, you can get a nice setup for under $200.
It's usually the plants and lighting that you can't get "on sale." At least, I can't.
I live in Arizona, though, and plants that are on sale are usually near death.
If you are careful with what you do and what you buy, you can get a nice setup for under $200.
It's usually the plants and lighting that you can't get "on sale." At least, I can't.
I live in Arizona, though, and plants that are on sale are usually near death.
rogerrabbit
New Member
@syn yeah its a great thing actually
I needx the cage before and lighting thermometers misterfs and all the before the plants and all that lol
I needx the cage before and lighting thermometers misterfs and all the before the plants and all that lol
Elizadolots
New Member
Mesh cages are far cheaper. They tend to look "dark" to observers in the room, so aren't great for chameleon gazing, but they are sturdy and easy to work with and your chameleon doesn't mind if you have difficulty seeing him. They have a plastic frame (you assemble it) and a fabric mesh that fits over the frame. It's great for drainage because there isn't a solid bottom...just put the cage over a tub and all the water will go into the tub.
You're smart to try to save money on your set up so you have reserves in case you need the help of a vet.
You're smart to try to save money on your set up so you have reserves in case you need the help of a vet.
Syn
Avid Member
You may need to compensate for lack of UVB (thick mesh) with a 10.0 though, depending on species.
Also, the zipper on some of these cages are a pain. Just for future reference.
