New Member intro and question on selecting first chameleon

[thepress83]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I'm excited to have joined up I just purchased my new enclosure for my future chameleon this weekend and am deciding between either a Graceful or Veiled Chameleon. Both are unfortunately from pet stores but my options are limited in British Columbia Canada and I'm a bit nervous purchasing a chameleon online and having him/her shipped to me. The Chameleons I've looked at are all 4-6 months in age and with 1 exception are a standard green colour with few if any markings. At what age would I expect some of their colours to come out? There is 1 larger chameleon (a veiled that I think is a male) that has some really nice dark brown/green bands but I was a bit surprised that the rest had no markings or colours visible at all. Is this normal or something I should consider when purchasing?

Anyways I hope to spend more time today searching through the forums but I haven't seen many posts about this so I figured I would ask. I have lots of experience with leopard geckos and bearded dragons and can't wait to add a chameleon to my family. Which would you select if you had the choice and why a Veiled or a Graceful?

 

[Solid Snake]

Hello!

Welcome to Chameleon Forums!

Its really a great thing you are here, and doing some research before buying one.

I have no experience with those species, but I do know that gracefuls tend to be less common. I understand that they both have about the same care requirements though.

There is really no harm in having one shipped to you.
I am not a huge fan of the idea of them being shipped either though, I understand your reserve in the matter.
People ship them all over, everyday, with almost no injuries or DOAs though. For something like that to happen, is quite rare.

I will say that starting with a quality, health guaranteed animal, is worth having one shipped. That said, not all pet store chams are kept wrong, or unhealthy.

When selecting an animal in person, you want to handle it first.
Make sure it has a strong grip, that there are no "abnormalities" on any part of the skin, make sure its eyes look clear, and are attentive. If possible, see it eat, make sure it can shoot its tongue properly.
Even with no chameleon experience, you should be able to visually see if the animal looks unhealthy or not, at least to some extent.

If the eyes are swollen, or not clear, that is a bad sign.
If it shakes (not jerks, they all move in a "jerky" manner ) that is bad.

Thats really all I can think of at the moment.

What kind/size cage did you get?

Here is some good info on veiled chameleon care care:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/400-basic-chameleon-cycle-care-care-sheet.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Again, welcome to CF.

 

[thepress83]

Thanks for the quick reply and all of the great information. The graceful chameleons seemed smaller/thinner to me but they could just be younger as well. I liked the look of the graceful chameleons myself but the size/colours of the veileds really got my attention. I was able to handle several of each and they seemed alert and surprisingly comfortable with behind held. One of the veiled chameleons was chilling out on my shoulder while I talked to the sales rep and eventually nestled into my hoodie for 5-10 minutes before he went back into this tank.

My tank setup is a 24 * 24 * 30 inch glass/screen terrarium. I'm setting it up tonight as I just purchased it but it should be a decent size for a chameleon and I have tons of plants both fake and real (still need to buy my real plant) that will be put inside.

How do the colours typically work all of the pictures I see on the forum/online are super colourful where as the ones for sale are plain green. Is that normal?

 

[Solid Snake]

Its my understanding that that size terrarium will work, but the general consensus is the minimum size requirement is 24x24x48.

Most use screen cages though, good luck finding a terrarium that size

While I havnt kept those species, most of the time they should be just a nice plain green. The majority of the photos you will see here are when peoples chameleons are "fired up" or very colorful and looking their "best".

Younger chameleons of those species will be mostly green as well.
As they age, they get their adult colors/patterns.
Thats the fun part! Watching them change with each shed!

Did the chameleon fall asleep on you?

Chameleons should never sleep during the day. If so, that is a sign that something is wrong somewhere.

 

[thepress83]

Thanks for the advice on cage size, I'll keep an eye on things and depending on the chameleon size I can always upgrade a bit. The chameleon didn't fall asleep but was quite cozy in my hoodie apparently but his eyes were still alert and moving around like little turrets.

That's a relief that as they age they get their adult colours and they will come in with each shed etc. Prices seem to be all over the map I was quoted $199.99 for a graceful chameleon that was about 5 or 6 months old and $149.99 for a veiled chameleon around the same age at the pet store. Does that seem about right cost wise? Keep in mind that they are more expensive in Canada than in the US.

 

[Trace]

As a first time owner I wouldn't recommend the Graceful Chameleon. Most, if not all, of those animals are wild caught specimens and they can be tricky even to an experienced owner to get acclimated into captivity. The Veiled Chameleon, while foul and mean tempered are generally captive bred and easier and more forgiving for a new owner.

There is a reptile show in Abbotsford at the end of the month. Not sure if that is close to you or not but there you might have more selection, cheaper pricing and the option of talking to any breeders. http://www.bcreptileclub.ca/

 

[thepress83]

Thanks very much for the tip I live in New Westminster so that could be a good option. I will check the dates of the show to see if I will be in town but that could be an awesome chance to find a beautiful chameleon for a good price.

 

[Kibu]

Try a panther from the Chameleon company, they are just over a hundred fifty dollars and shipping is not that much, here is a pic of a Cham from the chameleon company.

 

[thepress83]

The Chameleon company ships to Canada, I thought you needed an import permit to import one from the US?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Welcome to the forum!
I would recommend a panther or veiled for your first chameleon.

There quite a few breeders in Canada, including a few in BC (for example ZenReptiles on this forum is in Kamloops, Mike on Vancouver Island), at least two in Alberta, several in Ontario. Those are just the ones I know of personally. Dont feel that you are limited to pet stores (although some pet store chams are fine, some are wild caught or poorly handled/housed). Both BC and Alberta have annual reptile shows, where you might be able to find additional breeders.

 

[Chameleonic]

Yeah, gracefuls are probably more delicate than Veileds, esp when wild caught. So I would advise to start with a Veiled
Veileds have a reputation for a bad temper, but not all of them are evil - some of them are even friendly.
If you don't hold out any hope of hugs and kisses then you probably won't be disapointed

 

[thepress83]

Tbanks everyone for the advice and warm welcome I found Zen chameleons and my gf will be at.the bcrc show in Abby to pickup our little boy this month I wishing could be there but I will be half way around the world but it's good she's as excited as I am.

 

[chamlover98]

Welcome, i?m sure you will find a breeder locally. You might need to get one imported to a state near you at a petstore and drive and pick it up or make friends in the states close to you and would enclose it until you arrived to pick it up all depends if you dont find one locally