Looking for a suitable cham...

[kingfisherfleshy]

Hey guys -

Ive been interested in chameleons for awhile.

I would like to start with a smaller species (as small as possible), but I do not like the looks of the pygmy chameleon.

I was initially drawn to the cape dwarf - and articles like these made them seem as if they would be easily acessible and cheap (http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-caresheets/cape-dwarf-chameleon.html)

Needless to say it now seems unlikely that I will ever own one of these.

I will be going to the Tinley Park IL herp show this fall - any chance of me getting a very small, hardy chameleon there?

Really all I want are some species to start researching...things that are easy to get, easy to keep, and stay very small.

Thanks

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

I like a lot of the Bradypodion species - but are they all endangered/expensive?

Im looking for something CB that I can just pick up.

Thanks

 

[Lathelia]

Can I ask why are you looking for something small?

 

[camimom]

If you want cb, but small, bradys and capes arent going to happen.


first, i dont think you can get a cape here.

and second- the bradys that people have, were specialized imports, and cost over 800 for a pair. they arent readily available.

if you want small but cb, try for a carpet.

 

[Psychobunny]

Are carpets the same as "flap neck" chams?
They are about the smallest I can think of considering the alternatives

 

[camimom]

Are carpets the same as "flap neck" chams?
They are about the smallest I can think of considering the alternatives

No they are not. two completely different species of chameleon.

 

[Olimpia]

Go for a carpet chameleon, they are small, colorful, and adorable. They can be found captive bred as well, which is a plus. I don't know if you'll find any at a show but they can be found from private breeders online who will ship to your door.

Anything else is probably going to be much harder to find, especially in captive bred, and may cost you a good amount more. I have a pair of carpets and love them.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

Sweet thank you guys!

I will be ordering a mist king system in the near future for my dart frogs, and now have a point to start researching from to build an enclosure.

Any suggestions on good places to start researching what makes a suitable enclosure for one of these?

Thanks again

 

[camimom]

enclosure for what?

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

Im just searching for DIY enclosures and Im having a hard time finding that on the site - or even threads related to appropriate enclosures for a carpet cham...starting to google search now.

Thanks

 

[juju]

Are carpets the same as "flap neck" chams?
They are about the smallest I can think of considering the alternatives

Carpets are allot smaller then a flap neck and have a ton more color flap necks are allot more green and are a bit larger.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

The more I read about the carpets the more I like them.

Going to start the build of an enclosure for one - and if they are at the show and one looks healthy I might pick it up.

I DID find some threads on DIY inclosures...making the search function work always takes a little art.

Anyone think that I could take a 29g tank, do a level of hydroton, some weed barrier, ABG mix, with a cap of sphagnum and leaf litter?

I could do a great stuff foam background, and have a screen top for ventilation.

I will be using a mist king mister - so Ill have to enter that somewhere into this plan as well.