New Chameleon recomendations?

LittleReptieye

LittleReptieye

New Member
Hello :) Well we are not new to chameleon's we had our pair of Pygmies and even hatched a clutch they had layed back in Jan. But sadly we lost are female pygmy a few months ago. We still have are male Rango, we have had him for a year and are thinking of graduating to a bigger type of chameleon too. I just wanted to ask a little recommendation before we stared doing research for a bigger species. What is one that does well in the screen cages? we really like those. Also with the pygmies we couldn't really handle them because their so small, I know allot of chams get stressed when being handled but I was just wondering if their is a species that doesn't mind it so much? My mom really wants one she can hold once and a while. :) We have been looking into Jackson's but just wanted to see what everyone recommends for a starting big cham. Thank you so much for reading, this really will put us on the track of a species to research into.
 
My top two recommendations are veilds and panthers! Panthers are typically known to be a little more docile than veilds, but I have two veilds that are both wonderful and very tame... I think it can just be luck-of-the-draw. Both species are hardy and great beginner chams (even though you are not a beginner, since you have experience with pygmies :) ) There will probably be some other great suggestions made, just those are my two!
 
I started off with a Jackson's and think that they are great. They tend to be super gentle as well, shy but gentle. Mine became pretty comfortable with me within a few months of getting him, where he would come up to me when I came up to his cage. I think other Jackson's owners would agree that they don't tend to be very aggressive.

Obviously panthers and veileds are good choices too. But if you like Jackson's they aren't any more difficult to care for. They like it cooler and wetter, but those are easy adjustments to make, and they require more sparse supplementation.
 
Vieleds and Panthers are the obvious first recommendation. They tolerant of the "new owner learning curve". As you've raised pygmy's you're obviously good with keeping your husbandry in line. You might do well with one of the smaller "montane" type chameleons. Jackson's are one of the most appealing visually (who doesn't love horns?) and are reported to be tolerant of handling.

Any of the chameleons who are not pygmy's will do well in screened cages.

**edited to add**

Olimpia posted while I was composing...I'm so glad I said the same thing!!!
 
As soon as I need a bigger cage for my panther when hes an adult, I am going to be getting a carpet chameleon for the smaller 16x16x30 vacant enclosure.

Check them out! I can't wait! Both the males and females are awesome
EDIT: nevermind..you want a larger chameleon you say...how about a meller's or a parson's? ;)
img_0138.jpg
 
What a pretty carpet? I'm jealous....Just so you know (in case you don't), if you want a really big chameleon, you can get a meller's for far less (by some geometrical figure) than a Parson's.
 
I recommend a veiled. You don't have to worry about keeping them super hydrated and fogged. Veileds are great guys to free range and you can get them used to you (most of them) with a little effort. I first cup feed, hand feed, then put a worm on my arm and entice them out of their cage. They don't like hands in their cage at first (their space you know) but once they are used to you they can become pretty docile. It's usually the females that become the *itches. LOL
 
romulan said:
As soon as I need a bigger cage for my panther when hes an adult, I am going to be getting a carpet chameleon for the smaller 16x16x30 vacant enclosure.

Check them out! I can't wait! Both the males and females are awesome
EDIT: nevermind..you want a larger chameleon you say...how about a meller's or a parson's? ;)
img_0138.jpg
Click to expand...


HEY! so your carpet chameleon is GORGEOUS! :) where did you get yours from? maybe i can get my next 1 from there?! veiled chameleons are pretty too look at.. but i've had some NASTY agrresive ones.. i also had a panther that bit me and took off a piece of my skin on my pointer finger.. and i was JUST going in to spray him :( so i recommend a jackson chameleon.. they're awesome! my jackson chameleon actually just passed away yesterday.. R.I.P. spike<3 but it will NEVER stop me from getting another 1.. so right now i just have my lonely carpet chameleon baby.. but i'm looking to get a new one ordered or buy locally by wednesday when i get paid :)
 
I like veileds. I Like there snotty attitude there gorgeous coloring and there size and care requirements.. next id want a mellers.. :)
 
LittleReptieye said:
Hello :) Well we are not new to chameleon's we had our pair of Pygmies and even hatched a clutch they had layed back in Jan. But sadly we lost are female pygmy a few months ago. We still have are male Rango, we have had him for a year and are thinking of graduating to a bigger type of chameleon too. I just wanted to ask a little recommendation before we stared doing research for a bigger species. What is one that does well in the screen cages? we really like those. Also with the pygmies we couldn't really handle them because their so small, I know allot of chams get stressed when being handled but I was just wondering if their is a species that doesn't mind it so much? My mom really wants one she can hold once and a while. :) We have been looking into Jackson's but just wanted to see what everyone recommends for a starting big cham. Thank you so much for reading, this really will put us on the track of a species to research into.
Click to expand...
Jacksons,Panthers,Veileds even Carpets they are most chilled they dont mind a handling
 
I hate to say this, but I'm slightly regretting getting a veiled for my dad. I have the female and he has the male. The female is coming along but the male is already a bit of a jerk. Even at 4 months he hisses at anybody within three feet of his cage. He is very well cared for and we never force him out or do anything that would cause this aggression. Just seems to be who he is.

I know they're not supposed to be cuddly but we had a jacksons years ago that was nothing like this. I would just avoid male veileds. Their aggression is under-stated and the ones that truly enjoy being held seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

Cue 20 people telling me I'm wrong, but this is my experience. I wish I had sprung the extra money for a panther or just gone for a jacksons for him.
 
Thank you everyone for the help this really helps us narrow down on some species we wanna look into, we are not sure what one yet, we wanna look into a few of these. but that you all for your advice! :)
 
New Chameleon

I say get something different than the norm. If you get Veiled Cham, get a translucent one. Instead of getting a Jackson, get an African Two Horned Cham. Instead of a Pygmy get a Montane Pygmy. But if you want all the colors, go straight for the Panther or a Carpet. Good Luck!
 
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