Need recommandation on first enclosure set up please ?

[info]

My kids got my wife a green lizard some time ago . It past away .
I would like to get her a new set up for the living room and a chameleon .
What kind, not sure . She would want to hold it .
Where to get it , not sure .
What enclosure would I need ?
Budget not sure .
Recommandation pease . This will be for birthday .
Im also from southern Indiana
Thank you

 

[Reptar88]

Well for starters chams are meant to be handled frequently. Also the two most common starters that were recommended to me were veiled and panthers. Most people don't consider chameleons good starter reptiles. I have to disagree as my panther is the first reptile I've owned. But I also researched them for many months before purchasing one. As far as where to get a chameleon go through one of the many site sponsors. Enclosures should be screen unless you choose one of the few chams that do better in terrarims. Check LLLLReptile or DIY cages. Lastly chameleons are by no means inexpensive to care for. Hopefully this helped somewhat.

 

[info]

cage
http://www.diycages.com/15201/15222.html

Light
http://www.diycages.com/15264/15285.html

What about the inside plants?

 

[Reptar88]

The size of the cage will vary depending on the chameleon you choose and how old it is. As far as light fixtures you will need a terrarium hood for your uvb tube and a clamp lamp for your basking bulb. The fixtures I personally use are a 20" Zoo Med Reptisun Terrarium hood and a 5 1/2" Zoo Med Deluxe Porcelain Clamp lamp. There are many plants that are chameleon safe but the 3 I use are Ficus, Pothos and Umbrella plants. Here's list of chameleon safe plants http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

 

[K9Luvn]

Hi and welcome!!! We have a few members from the Indiana, Kentucky, Cincinnati area as well. I'm from the Indianapolis-Anderson area of Indiana.

I am so glad you are doing your research first. For my first cages I just picked up some Reptibreeze cages from Petsmart. I think the DIY and LLL cages that our sponsors sell are better. You could also consider building one. Or even look on craigslist. I found a beautiful ok corner type cage for a great price. Prices can really vary as to how much you want to put into it to make it awesome or basic.

Please take time to read though the blogs and health section (even though the health section can be heartbreaking I feel it is very important as we can also learn from mistakes that have been made)

I would suggest you get a chameleon from a breeder that handles them daily. They all have personalties and those personalties can changes as well. I have one that does not like to be taken out of the cage and will be mean... once he is out he is fine. Another is a bit skittish but is learning not to worry, and the other will reach out and grab you anytime you walk by.

So very sorry to hear about her lizard passing and I do hope you will find happiness again.

 

[info]

thank you
Yes we are from evansville Indiana

 

[info]

if i go with the cage . Then what light system do i need ?
Also where
'Thanks

 

[info]

I order the enclosure . With drip pan
What about plants . Real or fake ?
Only place I can get live plants are at walmart and Lowes
Thank you

 

[froggielog]

You will need a UVB long tube light with fixture and a basking light, which a regular 60w house bulb can be placed in that fixture. I would also recommend a light timer

As for plants, live are the BEST! Golden pothos and umbrella plants (all can b found at lowes) seem to work the best IMO. With any plant s you need to wash it and repot them in organic soil and cover the top with large river rocks
http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

 

[Neoki]

I would recommend the Exo Terra as it has amazing ventillation and also can be customized to suit each locale. Great sizes available and not to mention a nice light hood that can contain strip or compact and also has a lock to go with.

Idea on the look for a 18x18x18

 

[froggielog]

I would recommend the Exo Terra as it has amazing ventillation and also can be customized to suit each locale. Great sizes available and not to mention a nice light hood that can contain strip or compact and also has a lock to go with.

Idea on the look for a 18x18x18

Except NOOOOO substrate!!!
And more foliage

 

[stasisb5a4]

Why no substrate?

 

[info]

Also will like to get a auto mister .
Any recommendation ?

 

[SpartyTessy]

For the enclosure many like myself have the Zoo Med Reptibreeze 2x2x4. That is the recommended size for Adults. I also have the
Zoo Med Reptisun Terrarium Hood 20" fixture for the UVB bulb you will need
Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Bulb: : 18" Bulb - 15 Watt T8
Zoo Med Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture. (It has two slots for bulbs but you really only need to get one that has one bulb though)
Zoo Med AquaSun Aquarium Controller Timer & Power Strip(to control when stuff turns on and off automatically)
Exo Terra Jungle Vine Large(Nice as its bendable and they love it)
Hagen Exo Terra Plastic Terrarium Plant(Nice fake plant)
Fluker's Repta Vines-Pothos(To add more cover)
Zoo Med Big Dripper(to give them the constant water they will require)
MistKing Value Misting System(To automate the required mistings they will need)
R'Zilla 11577 Terrarium Hygrometer Digital Thermometer(or something similar to monitor the temp and humidity)
Repashy Calcium Plus(All in one Calcium plus multivitamin)(See your specific species for recommended dusting amount)
Rep-Cal Calcium - Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 Free(Again see species specific info on dusting amount)
Live Plants from the live plants database
Lots of safe branches to make a lot of walk ways for the Chameleon

As you can see from the list there is a ton that you will need in order to properly care for your Chameleon. These are just links to show you the products I am talking about. You can get great deals from Sponsors on this forum.

 

[info]

For the enclosure many like myself have the Zoo Med Reptibreeze 2x2x4. That is the recommended size for Adults. I also have the
Zoo Med Reptisun Terrarium Hood 20" fixture for the UVB bulb you will need
Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0 UVB Bulb: : 18" Bulb - 15 Watt T8
Zoo Med Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture. (It has two slots for bulbs but you really only need to get one that has one bulb though)
Zoo Med AquaSun Aquarium Controller Timer & Power Strip(to control when stuff turns on and off automatically)
Exo Terra Jungle Vine Large(Nice as its bendable and they love it)
Hagen Exo Terra Plastic Terrarium Plant(Nice fake plant)
Fluker's Repta Vines-Pothos(To add more cover)
Zoo Med Big Dripper(to give them the constant water they will require)
MistKing Value Misting System(To automate the required mistings they will need)
R'Zilla 11577 Terrarium Hygrometer Digital Thermometer(or something similar to monitor the temp and humidity)
Repashy Calcium Plus(All in one Calcium plus multivitamin)(See your specific species for recommended dusting amount)
Rep-Cal Calcium - Phosphorus and Vitamin D3 Free(Again see species specific info on dusting amount)
Live Plants from the live plants database
Lots of safe branches to make a lot of walk ways for the Chameleon

As you can see from the list there is a ton that you will need in order to properly care for your Chameleon. These are just links to show you the products I am talking about. You can get great deals from Sponsors on this forum.

thank you
Thats what i need .
Wifes birthday 10-1
I'm getting one item or two a week

 

[froggielog]

Why no substrate?

Substrate is bad because it can harbor bacteria(from moisture) and bugs can hide and burrow in it. When that happens if you cham shoots down there and eats the wood chips,dirt,etc... it can get stuck and be very bad for them. Also a bare bottom is just easier to clean!

 

[Dez]

Substrate is bad because it can harbor bacteria(from moisture) and bugs can hide and burrow in it. When that happens if you cham shoots down there and eats the wood chips,dirt,etc... it can get stuck and be very bad for them. Also a bare bottom is just easier to clean!

I agree with Lauren on the substrate. Also most of us house our chameleons in all screen cages. You are going to want one that is taller rather than longer since chameleons like to climb

 

[Neoki]

Substrate is bad because it can harbor bacteria(from moisture) and bugs can hide and burrow in it. When that happens if you cham shoots down there and eats the wood chips,dirt,etc... it can get stuck and be very bad for them. Also a bare bottom is just easier to clean!

This argument is old and tbh I have not had any problems with Coco and now moving on to dendrosoil (Bioactive) so no issues.

Only thing is loose like spag moss etc.

 

[reptoman]

This argument is old and tbh I have not had any problems with Coco and now moving on to dendrosoil (Bioactive) so no issues.

Only thing is loose like spag moss etc.

Not sure what chameleons you keep but panthers and veilds are not appropriate for exo terra, substrate argument aside. You need a 24x24x48 enclosure for housing a male panther or veiled. Exo terra are great for smaller montain species that require higher humididty but keep in mind that you will pay quite a bit more for half the cage space. A 24x24x48 screen cage is average around $100 shipped. Not even sure if they make an exo tera that size but it would be petty expensive if you could find one. JMO

 

[twatts704]

This argument is old and tbh I have not had any problems with Coco and now moving on to dendrosoil (Bioactive) so no issues.

Only thing is loose like spag moss etc.

Agreed, listen to us who have experienced it and have been there when others have. All it takes is for one time for your cham to get curious and eat the substrate or even miss a feeder and collect substrate and get impacted... it may be an old argument but it still holds true... would you rather be stubborn and not take out the substrate and lose your cham? Or listen to people who have been there and hold on to your cham? The decision seems like a no brainer to me imo...