New to Chameleon

[Tattooed Chameleon]

Hi everyone im Jesse I live in Lancaster California, im a carpenter/welder/DIY. Im finally going to start making my hybrid cage, I got alot of my ideas from the Chameleon Academy/Neptune the Chameleon. My enclosure is going to be 2ft deep 4ft wide 4ft tall, its going to be a few months before I get my Chameleon due to the fact im making sure my enclosure can get the right humidity and temp for day and night drop. I plan on getting a jackson chameleon but may be open to another species. I plan to go to Pomona fair grounds for the reptile expo to look for breeders to buy from and explore my options. I will be post pics of my enclosure build as I progress. O i'm gonna go for a naturalistic bottom as well and work my way up to bio active.

Please if you have any concerns on what my husbandry plans are please ask or if you have any advice please let me know.

 

[GrannyK]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like a great project! Please post pics along the way we love to see them come together! You have great resources to start and if you search enclosure builds here on the for you may pic up some tricks . I stayed standard with my set ups for my own non handy safety. lol

 

[ehdee6]

Welcome to the forum! There are some good DIY cages in these posts for inspiration...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/the-official-enclosure-picture-thread.49688/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/official-enclosure-picture-thread-2-post-your-pics.94781/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/the-third-official-enclosure-picture-thread.173186/

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! I love that you’re doing your research and planning your set up before getting your chameleon. I also love that you’ll be giving him extra width. I would say to just look around the forum, ask whatever questions you may have and check out some of the many enclosure threads. This is a great guide for bioactive. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/intro-to-bio-activity.2429/ I would advise against getting a chameleon from an expo, unless they are the actual breeder of the animal. Same for some on line vendors who sell a vast variety of animals, none of which they have actually bred or guarantee past delivery. It’s always best to buy from a reputable breeder. Those who support the forum have proven themselves time and again, but I don’t believe they have Jackson’s. Maybe @JacksJill knows of a good breeder, or she may have some babies due in the near future. I do look forward to hearing/seeing your progress.

 

[Tattooed Chameleon]

Hi and welcome! I love that you’re doing your research and planning your set up before getting your chameleon. I also love that you’ll be giving him extra width. I would say to just look around the forum, ask whatever questions you may have and check out some of the many enclosure threads. This is a great guide for bioactive. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/intro-to-bio-activity.2429/ I would advise against getting a chameleon from an expo, unless they are the actual breeder of the animal. Same for some on line vendors who sell a vast variety of animals, none of which they have actually bred or guarantee past delivery. It’s always best to buy from a reputable breeder. Those who support the forum have proven themselves time and again, but I don’t believe they have Jackson’s. Maybe @JacksJill knows of a good breeder, or she may have some babies due in the near future. I do look forward to hearing/seeing your progress.

Thanks for kind words of encouragement. But i was told i may find breeders at the reptile expo and not so much going to buy one unless i was sure that they are a breeder, ill be asking to see pics ask how long they been breeding and other questions and yes im totally cool with with Jacksjill to find a jackson chameleon or if they have babys in the future

 

[MissSkittles]

Thanks for kind words of encouragement. But i was told i may find breeders at the reptile expo and not so much going to buy one unless i was sure that they are a breeder, ill be asking to see pics ask how long they been breeding and other questions and yes im totally cool with with Jacksjill to find a jackson chameleon or if they have babys in the future

Awesome! Just wanted to make sure you don’t have the same heartache that some others have had.

 

[Tattooed Chameleon]

Awesome! Just wanted to make sure you don’t have the same heartache that some others have had.

All tho I cant say I didn't feel bad for the baby veiled chameleon at pet smart or my local pet shop, I wanted to bring them home because there not going to be taking care of properly

 

[MissSkittles]

All tho I cant say I didn't feel bad for the baby veiled chameleon at pet smart or my local pet shop, I wanted to bring them home because there not going to be taking care of properly

It’s always a tough dilemma at pet stores. I’ve bought two reptiles from Petco (weak moments) and have no regrets. My veiled girl Stella is just around 7 years old now. My crazy bearded dragon Spike is about 5. I’m sure the leopard geckos and other beardie I got off Craigslist probably came from Petco too.

 

[Tattooed Chameleon]

It’s always a tough dilemma at pet stores. I’ve bought two reptiles from Petco (weak moments) and have no regrets. My veiled girl Stella is just around 7 years old now. My crazy bearded dragon Spike is about 5. I’m sure the leopard geckos and other beardie I got off Craigslist probably came from Petco too.

Yeah I feel sometimes if you get them as soon as the pet store does the chances are better for them to survive their full lifespan. But there's a chameleon at my local mom and pop shop his eyes are closed most of the day and look pretty skinny and eye are starting to sink in its heart breaking. I told the owner this isn't good is not going to last much longer, he didn't care

 

[BleuSaphir]

Hello! Based in Rosamond. Not far from Lancaster. What a small world. I wish you great luck in your journey.

I do plan on attending the Super Reptile Show myself. It is fun and engaging. I did both Pomona and Anaheim. You will likely find Kammerflage Kreations-Panther Chameleon breeder. Also a sponsor on our forum.

I can say this-you won’t find a Jackson chameleon breeder. All vendors are selling wild caught Jackson’s. And fresh batch of live babies coming from gravid wild caught females.
Chameleon101 who sells panther chameleon eggs. Is also present for the reptile expo. He could sell wild caught Jackson’s. Like I saw last year. I would suggest to get a Panther chameleon and inquire with Kammerflage Kreations. The most professional chameleon breeder vendor on the list attending. You may meet local Panther chameleon breeder and others who will sell other chameleons like Parsons. I didn’t like how this one vendor kept young panthers in Kritter Keepers though for viewing. If you see that vendor-I would not inquire from them.

If you’re dead set on Jackson’s. I would agree to have our member, Jacksjill to help you source a reputable Jackson’s chameleon breeder.