Jackson's, Veiled, Meller, Rudis Chameleons

[Debbie61]

Hello,

I am currently checking on different types of Chameleons that would be a good fit for me to possible buy. I had a Veiled Male that I had to return to the breeder and so now the cage is empty and I need to either get another chameleon or sell the cage and accessories.

Do any of you have experience with any of the above mentioned species besides the Veiled. I know what the Veiled needs as far as care, but not much about the other species that I mentioned. Here is a list of questions that I have:

Size of Enclosure
Humidity levels
Handleability
Hardiness
and of course many other questions that I can't think of right now.

Any experience or comments on these species.
Thanks

 

[beardeds7587]

I own 5 veileds male and female.... size of cage depends on how old the cham is , the handling some are nicer then others but they all are very moody, and the hardiness of the veiled is pretty good as long as u feed the right things and have right husbandry...

 

[eisentrauti]

All the other chameleons aren't for beginners. So I would adivse you to first keep your former calyptratus for a while before you think about the mentioned species abouve.
Some people probably gonna tell you know that those species are for beginners, here are the reasons why not:

"Jacksons": Three different subspecies, which are often kept but rarely breed in the US. In my opinion a simple indicator that those three subspecies aren't the best for beginners
"Mellers": Trioceros melleri, the biggest species of Africa, needs giant enclosures or better rooms. Because of the fact that the big majority of the sold animals are WC which are often completely dehydrated dont make them a beginner species.
"Rudis": There are NO Trioceros rudis available in the pet industry. Just Trioceros sternfeldi misslabeled as rudis. They are a small submontane species. Here its the same like we have in the case of the jacksoniis: Many people will tell you that they are easy to keep but the majority of those people has kept them maybe for some months maximum, CB animals are here extremely rare too. If there appear some they are from gravid WC females

 

[Debbie61]

Thanks for the info eisentrauti and beardeds7587.

 

[jastate09]

All the other chameleons aren't for beginners. So I would adivse you to first keep your former calyptratus for a while before you think about the mentioned species abouve.
Some people probably gonna tell you know that those species are for beginners, here are the reasons why not:

"Jacksons": Three different subspecies, which are often kept but rarely breed in the US. In my opinion a simple indicator that those three subspecies aren't the best for beginners
"Mellers": Trioceros melleri, the biggest species of Africa, needs giant enclosures or better rooms. Because of the fact that the big majority of the sold animals are WC which are often completely dehydrated dont make them a beginner species.
"Rudis": There are NO Trioceros rudis available in the pet industry. Just Trioceros sternfeldi misslabeled as rudis. They are a small submontane species. Here its the same like we have in the case of the jacksoniis: Many people will tell you that they are easy to keep but the majority of those people has kept them maybe for some months maximum, CB animals are here extremely rare too. If there appear some they are from gravid WC females

I agree that a male veiled or panther would be the best for an inexperienced keeper.

 

[Debbie61]

Thanks jastate09, I would love to have a panther, just don't have the funds right now to get one. I would prefer an adult, compared to a baby. But, I could always save up. I have learned a lot from having Titus, and that is I should also save up some cash for a vet visit.

 

[Carlton]

Thanks jastate09, I would love to have a panther, just don't have the funds right now to get one. I would prefer an adult, compared to a baby. But, I could always save up. I have learned a lot from having Titus, and that is I should also save up some cash for a vet visit.

Those other species may be intriguing, but not if they turn out to be impossible to keep healthy. Consider the climate in your area and in your house (montane species need the higher humidity and cooler temps year round). I also think a panther is a good "next step". Keep your eyes open for a cross...they are often less pricey than some special color line, and personality is often more rewarding.

Now one of my favorite species is melleri, but they are a lot of work!!!

 

[Debbie61]

Thanks Carlton, When you say 'cross' do you mean the bloodlines that are mixed say for instance Nosy/be and Ambilobe? I have been watching the classifieds on here. I think that I may need a smaller enclosure if I were to go with a Panther Chameleon. Right now I have a 2x2x4. Would a panther take the next size smaller enclosure?

 

[JaxyGirl]

Thanks Carlton, When you say 'cross' do you mean the bloodlines that are mixed say for instance Nosy/be and Ambilobe? I have been watching the classifieds on here. I think that I may need a smaller enclosure if I were to go with a Panther Chameleon. Right now I have a 2x2x4. Would a panther take the next size smaller enclosure?

Actually a 2x2x4 would be fine for an adult panther. They like room to move around. BTW I'm glad you're thinking about getting a new cham. Once you get a good healthy one..without any problems...It makes all the difference and you will really enjoy it

 

[Ace]

Definately get a cross panther...their colrs ar nearrly impossible to get in the wild....they seem to have a new "neon" look...check on our sponsors and ask around....

The Kammers "Kammerflage Kreations" www. Chameleonsony.com have some nice looking crosses...but look around for one that fits your budget

I had owned a Jackson female, veiled male, and now only have a panther male...all were rewarding, but the easiest was veiled and my panther...

Jacksons are awsome and in a way easier with the setup but require a constant maintaince with humidty and temps, plus the easy over consumption of supplements....i reget since i messed up on my actual first cham , i was only 8 or 9 years old....but knew somewhat how to care for her..i messed up by her escaping and died out side on the hot sun at the back yard.........

I hope to get a jackson again, but take my advice and get a veiled or panther....you will not regret gaining the expereince to keep future chameleon species....

my next species after panthers and veileds is a mellerii, jacksons, and verocussos(mispelled)

 

[JaxyGirl]

I have to say that I LOOOOVE my Jackson's. The horns are incredible..they look like a little dinosaur. My male Jackson's is the first cham I've ever had and I just purchased a little red phased female. So I don't have experience keeping veileds or panthers. But I haven't found keeping a Jackson's isn't really difficult. I've had him for almost 2 years. My Jackson's free ranges 24/7 in my living room. I've never had a problem with humidity...mine ranges from 55-80%. The thing I have noticed is that they love water and drink a lot so need to be misted to the point of being drenched and drinking. Just as long as they're kept well hydrated there isn't a problem. They do need lower basking temps. For my adult male is 80-85. I live In Maine and this summer it got into the uper 90's and I don't have AC..and he did just fine. What I do love is their size. Being a medium cham and they are also very mellow. Anyhow that's my take on Jackson's

 

[Lizardlover]

Definately get a cross panther...their colrs ar nearrly impossible to get in the wild....they seem to have a new "neon" look...check on our sponsors and ask around....

The Kammers "Kammerflage Kreations" www. Chameleonsony.com have some nice looking crosses...but look around for one that fits your budget

I had owned a Jackson female, veiled male, and now only have a panther male...all were rewarding, but the easiest was veiled and my panther...

Jacksons are awsome and in a way easier with the setup but require a constant maintaince with humidty and temps, plus the easy over consumption of supplements....i reget since i messed up on my actual first cham , i was only 8 or 9 years old....but knew somewhat how to care for her..i messed up by her escaping and died out side on the hot sun at the back yard.........

I hope to get a jackson again, but take my advice and get a veiled or panther....you will not regret gaining the expereince to keep future chameleon species....

my next species after panthers and veileds is a mellerii, jacksons, and verocussos(mispelled)

Pure Ambanja

Other stunning pure locales

I think that is a very ignorant comment. Why would you spoil hundreds, even thousands of years of localization, that has created amazing colors, when most of the time cross-bred panthers arent good for breeding and selling, because of uncertainty about lineage, and their colors aren't superior to a pure locale's coloration in any way. Dont mean to be rude, just giving my 2 cents.

 

[pssh]

Chameleons101 has very moderately priced panthers, great service, awesome bloodlines, and are just nice guys in general. Give them a call, they will find a panther to fit your needs.

 

[Ace]

Pure Ambanja

Other stunning pure locales

I think that is a very ignorant comment. Why would you spoil hundreds, even thousands of years of localization, that has created amazing colors, when most of the time cross-bred panthers arent good for breeding and selling, because of uncertainty about lineage, and their colors aren't superior to a pure locale's coloration in any way. Dont mean to be rude, just giving my 2 cents.

Forgive me for the way i put it, (ignorant as you call it) but in no way was i trying to downsize the different unique and amzing colors already developed through the years of the panther chameleons on the island of Madagascar.

i was merely proposing an alternative way of getting a "less expensive" panther chameleon. But i do not regret of saying that just as the original panther morphs are amazing, the crosses do have their unique colors aswell.

In my opnion you sound as if you figure crosses are like mixed breed dogs that are called "mutts" but however are just as good with the proper care as any "pure lineage" of dog. i know more or less scienticially the importance of keeping the different pure morphs seperate to preserve the genes, but every now and then i dont think a cross morph wouldnt hurt to keep.. JMO

 

[Olimpia]

Chameleon Company also sells extremely reasonably priced panthers. I have two from them and am really super happy with them.

And heeey Danny, watch it, I have a stunning little panther cross ... I have no intention on breeding at any point, so I don't have any objections to owning a cross. And I agree that it's just one more option for people who just want a pet to love. Although I completely support the need to keep track of bloodlines and proper labeling of all panthers.

 

[Ace]

Chameleon Company also sells extremely reasonably priced panthers. I have two from them and am really super happy with them.

And heeey Danny, watch it, I have a stunning little panther cross ... I have no intention on breeding at any point, so I don't have any objections to owning a cross. And I agree that it's just one more option for people who just want a pet to love. Although I completely support the need to keep track of bloodlines and proper labeling of all panthers.

exactly!!!...thx Olimpia, could not of said it better, since i really couldnt!

 

[reptileman1]

Jackson's as a Starter

I disagree that Jackson's aren't a good starter. They are, in my experience, one of the simpler species to keep as long as they:

- Are obtained from a reputable breeder and in excellent health
- Are maintained singly OR in a VERY large vivarium
- The vivarium is WELL ventilated
- The air temp is maintained at the proper level, cooler than most chameleon species
- They are WELL hydrated

I have literally maintained and bred Jackson's chameleons in captivity since 1969. I actually bred them in my dorm room at the University of Wyoming in 1975! Finding bugs in mid winter in Wyoming can be a challenge, let me tell you!

This is one of the most interesting looking species in the world (the male, anyway) and can live for many years, properly maintained. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[pssh]

Perhaps if it were a CB jacksons, but a WC would not be the best starter chameleon. Regardless, jacksons are less tolerant of error in husbandry. It's a good starter montane, but I don't think I would recommend one as a starter chameleon.

 

[Debbie61]

Wow, Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I enjoyed reading all the interesting opinions and appreciate them all. I am leaning toward a panther. Just going to wait and see what there is out there.

 

[JaxyGirl]

I disagree that Jackson's aren't a good starter. They are, in my experience, one of the simpler species to keep as long as they:

- Are obtained from a reputable breeder and in excellent health
- Are maintained singly OR in a VERY large vivarium
- The vivarium is WELL ventilated
- The air temp is maintained at the proper level, cooler than most chameleon species
- They are WELL hydrated

I have literally maintained and bred Jackson's chameleons in captivity since 1969. I actually bred them in my dorm room at the University of Wyoming in 1975! Finding bugs in mid winter in Wyoming can be a challenge, let me tell you!

This is one of the most interesting looking species in the world (the male, anyway) and can live for many years, properly maintained. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I 100% agree with you. My Jackson's is amazing and the horns really are spectacular on this species. He's my first cham and I've found him very easy to care for. But he is a CB which I think does make a difference regarding their tolerance to captivity. I think a wild caught would be a little more difficult to acclimate to a cage. JMHO