New here

[spikeman]

Hello everyone, for a long time i've been thinking of getting a chameleon. Although i'm new to Chameleons, i've had many herps over the last 8 years and i still have my first bearded dragon to prove it. I've decided on a veiled cham. because they are said to be the most hardy and forgiving of begginner mistakes. I have a few questions.

is an all screen terrarium absolutely necessary? I have a forty gallon breeder i was gonna turn on its side so it stands up vertically, i was only gonna use it untill he gets bigger. I plan on gettin the cham at an upcomming expo, so if i must buy a new cage i will. Also, wont the heat lamp melt the mesh screen on an all screen cage?

 

[Edward Kim]

Hey spikeman,

I too am new to this list but have been keeping chameleons for close to 10 years. My first cham was a veiled and my biggest mistake was caging him in an all glass enclosure. You risk over heating and upper respiratory infections which tend to cost more than the veiled to treat. So a screen cage is a must. In addition do as much reading as possible, a good place to start is the chameleons online e-zine.

Edward

 

[spikeman]

yeah, i thought so, I've been reading up for a couple months now, but i think i'll get a book in the meantime before the expo i plan to get him at(in about 1.5 months), and of course, be on the forums. i have a couple other questions, do vields eat enough plant material for me to worry about a ficus in his cage? and would a reptarium be a good choice? if so, what size?

 

[angus310]

check out tyler stewart from blue beast reptiles. He is selling some used cages which would be great for your new cham.

I ordered one myself and he is great to work with. Check for his post under the forums in Misc. Supplies for sale.

Oh yeah, welcome and congrats on your decision.

 

[spikeman]

Thank you for all the help!

but do ficus still pose a serious threat to vields?

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy,
A few more sources of info just in case you haven't seen them:

http://www.chameleonsdish.com/

http://www.chameleonnews.com/ especially http://www.chameleonnews.com/ref.html

http://www.adcham.com/


What part of the world are you located?

 

[spikeman]

LI, New york