ok so I'm new to this. i have had a freshwater fishtanks 40 gallon and killed a few fish before i was able to stabilize it. i also have a 35 gallon turtle tank with 2 turtles . never had any issues. turtles are very hardy. now question is my son wants a chameleon. so my question is this i just ordered the reptibreeze terrarium medium size which is 16x16x30. i only want one chameleon. whats the proper way of feeding them? do i buy a fogger? what about the water? is the plant dripper any good? should i buy a mister? do they need both a uv and heat lamp? what should be the proper temp and proper humidity? do they only eat mealworms and crickets?
new to chameleons, please help
- Thread starter dsmfat
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Lots of answers to your questions are available on demand. Check the pages under the Resources tab...basic husbandry. If something isn't clear, just ask more specifically. BTW, that size ReptiBreeze will be too small for an adult.
What species? Veild, panther, jacksons?
Uvb and heat lamp are both needed
Drippers are ok but misters are better and more $, some use both together with success
Fogger would be helpful depending on species
Temps and humidity differ from species to species
I feed mine crickets, superworms (not mealworms) hornworms, dubia roaches, and the occasional wax worm just as a treat
16x16x30 will be too small for an adult but a great starter cage for a juvenile/baby
Read up on supplements, calcium without d3 daily, with d3 2 times a month and multivitamins 2 times a month.
Uvb and heat lamp are both needed
Drippers are ok but misters are better and more $, some use both together with success
Fogger would be helpful depending on species
Temps and humidity differ from species to species
I feed mine crickets, superworms (not mealworms) hornworms, dubia roaches, and the occasional wax worm just as a treat
16x16x30 will be too small for an adult but a great starter cage for a juvenile/baby
Read up on supplements, calcium without d3 daily, with d3 2 times a month and multivitamins 2 times a month.
reptileguy112
Member
Most chameleons will out grow that viv. They need cal, d3, and vitamin supplements and have a big appetite. Chameleons are not the most hardy species and are more on the harder side to keep. I am not trying to prejudge I am just telling you because I have no idea what your situation is and I just want to let you know these can get expensive and can be hard to keep. These also do not like to be handled and it can stress them out with fingers in there faces and have a mean bite. Have fun with your new chameleon 
reptileguy112
Member
I am just going to assume you are getting a veiled or a jacksons so here are two care sheets. The veiled link says 3' x 3' x 3' but the correct size for a male is 2' x 2' x 4' and for a female 2' x 2' x 3'.
Veiled Care ---> http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/content/species/veiled-chameleon.asp
Jacksons Care---> http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Jacksons-Chameleon/
Veiled Care ---> http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/content/species/veiled-chameleon.asp
Jacksons Care---> http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Jacksons-Chameleon/
reptileguy112
Member
Well most are aggressive, you are lucky if you get a non aggressive one. These are NOT cuddling pets and hate to be held and might even bite you. Look for one that has good grip so it kind of feels like its feet are pinching you, make sure it doesn't have sunken eyes or a closed eye. Make sure he is active and tell them to feed it a cricket before you buy because if he/she is healthy it will have a good appetite. If it has a little triangle thing/spur poking out right above its back feet it is a male and with get bigger than a female and show the pretty colors you see in the professional pictures and if it doesn't have the spur its a female and will stay a little bit smaller with less color and a smaller crest. Just know that if you get a female you will need a laying box because even if they don't breed they will lay eggs every 9 months or so. To make a laying box get a bucket or something that it can have easy access to and fill it with 9''-12'' of moist play sand (moist enough to dog a hole to the bottom without it collapsing). Make sure she can't get stuck in there so maybe hang a vine in it. Make sure the nesting box has at least a 12" diameter. Good luck!
