Looking To Get My First Chameleon

[lizardlover15]

still don't have the cage yet, and will definitely be getting that first. please let me know if you know a good place to buy a cage and a good starter chameleon! thanks (any tips are welcome, ive been doing alot of research)

 

[viaje]

It's probably easier for us to help if you tell us what you're planning on doing.
I believe a good place to get a cage is lllreptile.com, but I personally haven't gotten one from there. My own cages are bought from my local Petco, but they only sell sizes suitable for juveniles.
A good starter chameleon is a Veiled cham, they're much more forgiving for mistakes and they're *cough* much easier on the wallet.
I'd recommend reading http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

But... I haven't exactly owned a veiled in over ten years, so I'm not the best person to ask about that...

 

[CHAMpion]

lllreptile has cheap cages that or check craigslist

 

[philanddeb818]

Cage recommendation

http://www.screencages.com

We just bought two cages from them last week. They were very friendly and when we called them, we found they had lots of experience raising chams and said we could call anytime with cham questions.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[DaSlackMan]

http://www.screencages.com

We just bought two cages from them last week. They were very friendly and when we called them, we found they had lots of experience raising chams and said we could call anytime with cham questions.

Hope this is helpful.

Kind of expensive.

[SIZE=+1]48 24 24 $125.00[/SIZE]

Same size cage at LLL $79. Plus LLL is a site sponsor.

 

[lizardlover15]

say i get a veiled chameleon, what size cage should i get?

 

[DeFishy]

Depending on the age and size of the chameleon you are going to want to start small. Say, 18", 18", 24" for a four month old baby, and as it gets bigger you upgrade to a larger enclosure. Just remember that they do grow quickly, and you'll have to upgrade in just a few months.

 

[jannb]

Be sure to get a chameleon at least 5 to 7 months old for your first.....and try to avoid pet stores.

 

[viaje]

Keep an eye on the classifieds, there are great prices on veilds in the classifieds and the breeders on this site are very reputable. You may also be able to get an adult, are a male may be easier, with females you have to deal with eggs... and that's a whole new issue. Depending on where you live, you may be able to pick up the animal and save on shipping costs, but if you do choose to ship, shipping chameleons is very safe.
Looking for an animal now may be getting ahead of yourself though, just worry about the cage for now, and do a lot of research!

 

[philanddeb818]

price is worth it

Kind of expensive.

[SIZE=+1]48 24 24 $125.00[/SIZE]

Same size cage at LLL $79. Plus LLL is a site sponsor.

The cage screen material is metal round in lieu of flat which is better for little toes. There are specials on smaller cages than the one you've mentioned.

If you purchase several cages at once, there's a greater discount as well.

Thank you.

 

[lizardlover15]

was thinking about going with this deal but like i have heard, cheaper isnt always better, cage looks nice but i think i should buy the cage separately? what do you guys think

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/animals/chameleons/-/veiled-chameleon-package/

or maybe this:
http://www.reptiledepot.com/global.html

but truthfully im leaning toward this, and then buying a veiled chameleon on the side with established bloodlines
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/animals/chameleons/-/65-gallon-chameleon-package/

(what do you guys think? not trying to be cheap, just looking get everything in a package so i dont miss anything, even though i have done extensive research)

please lmk if you have any other suggestions on cages or chameleon deals! thanks

 

[chambabysitter1]

I was considering getting that package as well, but a few things turned me off.

a. For the equivalent of 10-20 bucks more, you get a nice aluminum LLL cage, which is more sturdy and nice, imo.

b. You'll still need to buy a more accurate thermometer, those strip ones are pure trash. That is from first hand experience.

c. The moss is practically useless, and that vine isn't really sufficient. You will still need to probably buy a live plant to flesh it out.

d. Fixtures can be bought for cheap at any hardware store. Just buy the bulb and get the fixtures for 1/4 the price.

I am going to be making a first time buyers blog this weekend. Your post inspired me to go through with it.

 

[viaje]

I agree with you about the package without the chameleon, but chambabysitter is right, the aluminum screen cages are really nice, I have both a zoomed screen cage and a reptarium- I'd take the screen one over the reptarium any day. (since I use that exact cage in the add) I'd say that it's pretty big for a juvenile, and if you did get that one you would be limited to shopping for slightly larger animals... but veilds grow fast.

But! in my opinion, that package isn't that bad.

 

[lizardlover15]

well really dont know if this would work, but was thinking of filling in the bottom of the cage to make it smaller until the chameleon grows? even if that wont work, i think that i am going to take the advice of others, and becasue i am a first time chameleon owner, i dont think i will be getting a baby. maybe 5-7 months.

anybody have any reccomendations on what cage to buy because i could use all the help i need. also if anyone here is breeding chameleons or knows of a good [place to get one, please lmk although i need to get the cage squared away first

 

[Lizardlover]

Nice user name , Veilds are a good starter even as babies, you can buy a veild chameleon package with all you need on LLL reptiles, only 100 bucks i believe. hope that helps

 

[sandrachameleon]

If the chameleon is 7+ months old, you can likely put it directly into its full-grown cage.

If you're still researching, lots of happy reading here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/82-enclosures-housing.html

 

[franzen]

I too am going to be a first time chameleon owner. I've been looking at cages online, and I came across this package. It's a little more expensive than the others, but it comes with a lot of essentials. Just wondered what people thought of this package. Its the medium package. Sorry I don't want to jack this thread.

http://www.flchams.com/complete_cages.asp?ca=2593

 

[Dave Weldon]

The cage screen material is metal round in lieu of flat which is better for little toes. There are specials on smaller cages than the one you've mentioned.

If you purchase several cages at once, there's a greater discount as well.

Thank you.

Howdy,

I actually have both the LLLReptile aluminum enclosures as well as one from www.cages.net. Where cages.net excels over others is that they have an optional 1/8" x 1/8" screen mesh at no extra charge. When you eventually move-up to a 24x24x48 adult enclosure, this type of screen will minimize toenail injuries caused by the snags that can happen on the typical 1/16" x 1/16" screen. My Panther had a tendency to climb on the screen whereas my Veileds didn't . Note that the smaller screen holes do a better job keeping commercial feeder houseflies inside (I found that out the hard way ). I also recommend the optional ($$) extra bottom door on the cages.net. It makes cleaning much easier. A similar door is std on the LLL type.

Bottom line: If you are getting a Panther or Veiled that is about 3"-4" snout to vent then I'd think about getting a simple LLL type in the range of 16x16x30 or so. When he (I recommend a male for first-timers) is over 6", you could think about moving him to the cages.net 24x24x48. These sizes are not set in stone either. You may find that Veileds can grow so fast that a 4" one will be ready to move-up in just a month or two. That leftover enclosure probably won't stay empty for long .

Even though both screens use virtually the same gage wire, the way they are woven (the cross-points) helps make the 1/8" screen less abrasive to feet as well as safer regarding toe snags. I think toe snags are less of an issue with younger (smaller) chameleons. Give them all plenty of plants and vines to keep their interest away from the screen!

Cages.net 1/8" optional screen:

Typical LLL 1/16" std screen:

 

[GooglezNvincent]

still don't have the cage yet, and will definitely be getting that first. please let me know if you know a good place to buy a cage and a good starter chameleon! thanks (any tips are welcome, ive been doing alot of research)

Ha ha ha THIS IS YOUR WARNING! chameleons are SOOOOOOOO addictive, i got one and now i have 8 with 3 more on the way!!!!! once you have one you will want as many as you can have! Enjoy! and its a good thing you are on this forum! it is very helpful and fun!

 

[nick barta]

The forum classifieds has older Veileds for $120.00 from PardalisGirl, and Lancecham and VegasChad have 8 week old Veileds for $35.00, but you will probably buy an extra smaller cage (LLL 16x15x20 is $39.99). All are reputable breeders. If I were you, I'd buy the older Veiled from ParadiseGirl, so your first experience is a good one!

Nick

still don't have the cage yet, and will definitely be getting that first. please let me know if you know a good place to buy a cage and a good starter chameleon! thanks (any tips are welcome, ive been doing alot of research)