Shamalon
Member
Hello everyone. I'd like to say that a good majority of my studying has come from these forums. I do love to read books and articles but I believe that experience from a community far exceeds one author.
I've wanted a chameleon since I was a kid. They were just to hard to care for but that's not the case now!
After much research I invested in a SC3 DIY screen cage. Along with a pothos, hibiscus and an umbrella plant. I added some vines an 18" 10.0 UVB light and a 60w heating light. I was in suspense forever because last year I found a respectful breeder at a reptile show. I was amazed at how beautiful and unique chameleons are once again. Here I finally was a week away with the cage and nothing in it!
Finally I went back to the reptile show with my girlfriend and took home my first baby ambilobe. After letting him crawl around on my finger he immediately went for anything green he could climb on. It's been about a week and he's finally settling in. He ate from my hand one day after I had him. However he doesn't seem to enjoy leaving his vines. So, I've removed the screen door considering I have plants hanging around his entire cage for his comfort.
I plan to free roam him slowly at his own pace. I just mounted a grow light that's 48" and purchased a 150w UVB bulb for a heat light + UVB for hos ever expanding territory. The 48" has 4 daylight power compact bulbs along with 4 actinic ones too. My new obsession with plants is the reason why I hung it haha. I hand mist him 2-3 times daily and every other feeding I dust a couple crickets with calcium. Any other words of advice would be greatly appreciated. The breeder told me the biggest issue is to make sure he eats since he will be in such a big cage. So that's why I got him eating from my hand haha. Recently he even ate from my gfs too.
Anyways, I want to thank the community for sharing their experiences. It's helped me greatly.
I've wanted a chameleon since I was a kid. They were just to hard to care for but that's not the case now!
After much research I invested in a SC3 DIY screen cage. Along with a pothos, hibiscus and an umbrella plant. I added some vines an 18" 10.0 UVB light and a 60w heating light. I was in suspense forever because last year I found a respectful breeder at a reptile show. I was amazed at how beautiful and unique chameleons are once again. Here I finally was a week away with the cage and nothing in it!
Finally I went back to the reptile show with my girlfriend and took home my first baby ambilobe. After letting him crawl around on my finger he immediately went for anything green he could climb on. It's been about a week and he's finally settling in. He ate from my hand one day after I had him. However he doesn't seem to enjoy leaving his vines. So, I've removed the screen door considering I have plants hanging around his entire cage for his comfort.
I plan to free roam him slowly at his own pace. I just mounted a grow light that's 48" and purchased a 150w UVB bulb for a heat light + UVB for hos ever expanding territory. The 48" has 4 daylight power compact bulbs along with 4 actinic ones too. My new obsession with plants is the reason why I hung it haha. I hand mist him 2-3 times daily and every other feeding I dust a couple crickets with calcium. Any other words of advice would be greatly appreciated. The breeder told me the biggest issue is to make sure he eats since he will be in such a big cage. So that's why I got him eating from my hand haha. Recently he even ate from my gfs too.
Anyways, I want to thank the community for sharing their experiences. It's helped me greatly.