New to chameleons

[Bro Bott]

Hi, I just started wanting to get a chameleon (last month). And I have watched and read a TON of stuff on chameleon keeping and I’m pretty confident I can provide a safe and wonderful home. I know all the lights, enclosure, humidity and temperatures the enclosure needs to be and even know the enclosure I need to get. So I’m very confinement on that. I have a Russian tortoise and didn’t do very much research at all when I first got him. I really started researching stuff for the past 3 years for him and built him a good enclosure with all the right stuff and I don’t want to make the same mistake with a chameleon because I know that chameleons aren’t as hardy as Russian tortoises. So im here to see if anyone has any chameleon keeping tips. Thanks!!

 

[Bro Bott]

I should add that I do not have the chameleon yet

 

[Beman]

Hey there. I would recommend reading through this husbandry program if you have not already. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
Everything on that site is correct husbandry info. Another good source of correct info is Neptune the Chameleon on Youtube.

You have to be careful with the research because unfortunately there are a ton of incorrect sites out there teaching info that will kill chams.

Bring your questions here. We can help guide you. First step is learning correct husbandry. 2nd is seeing if you have a good reptile vet near by. 3rd is setting up your cage and making sure it is hitting all the correct levels. Last step is buying a chameleon from a reputable breeder. This is extremely important to be successful. Granted I purchased petco babies. However this can come with heart break if you get an unhealthy one and when you are new to the hobby knowing the signs of an unhealthy chameleon is difficult.

Keeping chams isnt necessarily hard. It is just a ton of info to learn and a lot of correct husbandry you have to implement to ensure they thrive. Knowing that a lot of chams become more like having a fish tank as some do not like human interaction is also important. They are not all friendly, while you can absolutely get a friendly one this too can change as they mature because they can have a personality shift. If you are ok with a look and dont touch animal in your home then that is great. Just would not recommend it if you are only about having one you can hold and take out. I would also recommend going with a male over a female for your first cham. Females can have reproductive issues which can be a lot for a new keeper to deal with. Their husbandry is very similar but they have more specific needs around basking temps and feeding amounts to help control their clutch sizes. Females will lay eggs even if they are not mated so they also require a permanent lay bin in their cage.

 

[Bro Bott]

Hey there. I would recommend reading through this husbandry program if you have not already. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
Everything on that site is correct husbandry info. Another good source of correct info is Neptune the Chameleon on Youtube.

You have to be careful with the research because unfortunately there are a ton of incorrect sites out there teaching info that will kill chams.

Bring your questions here. We can help guide you. First step is learning correct husbandry. 2nd is seeing if you have a good reptile vet near by. 3rd is setting up your cage and making sure it is hitting all the correct levels. Last step is buying a chameleon from a reputable breeder. This is extremely important to be successful. Granted I purchased petco babies. However this can come with heart break if you get an unhealthy one and when you are new to the hobby knowing the signs of an unhealthy chameleon is difficult.

Keeping chams isnt necessarily hard. It is just a ton of info to learn and a lot of correct husbandry you have to implement to ensure they thrive. Knowing that a lot of chams become more like having a fish tank as some do not like human interaction is also important. They are not all friendly, while you can absolutely get a friendly one this too can change as they mature because they can have a personality shift. If you are ok with a look and dont touch animal in your home then that is great. Just would not recommend it if you are only about having one you can hold and take out. I would also recommend going with a male over a female for your first cham. Females can have reproductive issues which can be a lot for a new keeper to deal with. Their husbandry is very similar but they have more specific needs around basking temps and feeding amounts to help control their clutch sizes. Females will lay eggs even if they are not mated so they also require a permanent lay bin in their cage.

Yes I have watched a ton of videos by Neptune the chameleon. That is where I have gotten most my information

 

[Bro Bott]

Ok thank you very much. This is what I’m using for him/her. I’m very aware with the fact that he/she won’t want to be handled and I’m fine with that.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi and welcome! There’s not really anything more I can add to what has already been said. I see your list though and wanted to let you know that there are some wonderful options to buying a good chameleon kit. Neptune has partnered with Pangea and has a couple of kits. https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...tarter-chameleon-kit-by-neptune-the-chameleon Fram’s Chams also has a few different kits. https://framschams.com/collections/...ucts/size-24-24x24x48-essential-chameleon-kit They also happen to be one of the best breeders to buy from. AFAIK, they are also possibly the only breeder with a solid reputation who breeds veileds. For other awesome breeders, do check the sponsors. https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons I haven’t visited them all in a minute, so they may have expanded into kits too. You’ll have to check.
I’m glad that you found your way here and love that you’re asking questions and preparing before getting a chameleon. I do hope to see more of you around.

 

[Bro Bott]

Hi and welcome! There’s not really anything more I can add to what has already been said. I see your list though and wanted to let you know that there are some wonderful options to buying a good chameleon kit. Neptune has partnered with Pangea and has a couple of kits. https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...tarter-chameleon-kit-by-neptune-the-chameleon Fram’s Chams also has a few different kits. https://framschams.com/collections/...ucts/size-24-24x24x48-essential-chameleon-kit They also happen to be one of the best breeders to buy from. AFAIK, they are also possibly the only breeder with a solid reputation who breeds veileds. For other awesome breeders, do check the sponsors. https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons I haven’t visited them all in a minute, so they may have expanded into kits too. You’ll have to check.
I’m glad that you found your way here and love that you’re asking questions and preparing before getting a chameleon. I do hope to see more of you around.

thank you very much!!!!!!! I will keep you guys posted!

 

[Bro Bott]

I heard @Beman say that you should buy your chamet from a reputable breeder. I fully understand that but could someone tell me why buying a chamet from petco or petsmart is bad? I read that @Beman said that chamets can be unhealthy from those places. Is it dangerouse or bad for the chameleon if I get it from those pet stores?
there is another pet store near me called fin and feather and it focuses more on exotics. do you guys think it would be ok to get it there?????? thanks

 

[MissSkittles]

I heard @Beman say that you should buy your chamet from a reputable breeder. I fully understand that but could someone tell me why buying a chamet from petco or petsmart is bad? I read that @Beman said that chamets can be unhealthy from those places. Is it dangerouse or bad for the chameleon if I get it from those pet stores?
there is another pet store near me called fin and feather and it focuses more on exotics. do you guys think it would be ok to get it there?????? thanks

Chain pet stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc) source their reptiles from breeding mills (think puppy mills, but for exotics) and little care is given to the health and well being of the animals which are producing or being produced. If you have a strong enough disposition, look up reptile breeding mills on YouTube. Some of the local pet stores - I’m not positive where they get their animals, but I suspect at least some come from backyard breeders. Buying from a reptile show can be a crap shoot and many have ended up with problems an no recourse. An established and reputable breeder has invested in the health and well being of all of their animals and provides support as needed after they make the sale and get your money. If you were sent an unhealthy animal, or the wrong gender, or things like that, a reputable breeder will try to work with you. You will also know the lineage of your animal. Yes, you’ll be paying a bit more, but the peace of mind is well worth it. I suggest the sponsors, not just because they are sponsors, but they have proven themselves time and again to be good breeders with beautiful healthy animals and just good people who care and want you to be happy and enjoy your animal.
Now, with all of that said, I also have a Petco chameleon and have zero regrets. I was only a few months in to the hobby and in a very vulnerable state when I succumbed to her pitiful state. She is now an old lady at close to 7 years old, and while she literally has some warts (papilloma) and is slowed down, she’s pretty healthy still. Buying an animal at Petco is a gamble and I was very lucky and won the chameleon lottery.