just got my first chameleon...any tips?

[brianaustin]

i just got my first chameleon and i was wondering if anyone had any tips, tricks, do's and dont's for me...thanks in advance

 

[sandrachameleon]

hi
welcome to the forum, and to the joy of keeping chameleons

what type of chameleon do you have?

You will probably find the care sheets found here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/ of value

 

[PattyCake]

Hi and welcome to the forums! It would be helpful to know the species of your chameleon. sandrachameleon has already given you a great link, and my advice is to feel free and ask around the forums-people here are super helpful and friendly!

 

[Zephalia]

My tip is read, read, read. These forums are a great resource.I'm new to chameleons as well and this site and these people have been great to learn from. Congrats on your first!

 

[markettradenews]

My tip is read, read, read. These forums are a great resource.I'm new to chameleons as well and this site and these people have been great to learn from. Congrats on your first!

To right, plenty of google research and always ask questions here, people are very friendly and will always offer you good advise.
Im currently writing a website for Chameleons and i have to say i have been doing extensive research via Goolgle, Wiki, Books Reptile Shows etc and you will find conflicting views, opinions results etc. So yeah i would definitely ask here...
Well done on your first cham by the way, what have you got ?

 

[SaintJimmy]

My tip is read, read, read. These forums are a great resource.I'm new to chameleons as well and this site and these people have been great to learn from. Congrats on your first!

Definitely this^

Research is vital. If you don't know what you're doing you are essentially ruining your cham's life.

I would start with a basic caresheet.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Regardless of the type of chameleon, these tips will be helpful to keeping a healthy long-lived animal:

Offer a wide variety of feeder prey. Offering only one or two types of food (like just crickets) is not a good plan. Be prepared to source and offer at least 5 types of bugs. Here is a link to a good list:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

It is important to feed the prey insects /bugs well, in such a way as to ensure they provide the correction nutrients for your chameleon. This process is called gutloading the insects. Here are some links about gutloading:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html
http://www.chameleonnews.com/05JunDescamps.html

Supplementing - providing extra minerals (primarily calcium) and vitamins by "dusting" them on the prey is usually required, because many (though not all) of the commonly offered prey types do not have the right balance of nutrients, even if gutloaded. Here are some links with info about supplementing:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html

Water - most chameleons need water presented like rain and dew on leaves. So a mister/sprayer and a dripper are the best ways to hydrate most chameleons.
more info: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html

Depending on the type of chameleon you have, you may also find these links useful:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/syn/226-frequently-asked-questions.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/662-temperature.html

 

[Tyaeda]

Read as much as you possibly can! There's so much to learn, and I don't think we can cover it all in one post.

One tip I have though is: be prepared to spend a lot of money.

I just finished making a blog that details all of the preparation that went into my first chameleon. We ended up spending over $1000 in the 3 months we've had him, but most of it was start up costs.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the Chamaleon Forums and congrats on your chameleon. You have received some excellent advise from the members here. Read everything you can get you hands on and have a nice chameleon savings account. Post pictures of your new Cham and your setup when you get a chance.

I'm also attaching my blog for new keepers of veileds and panthers for your reading pleasure below.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html