New to chameleons

[Remy]

Hi, I saw a chameleon in the store a few weeks ago and I just can't help but want one. I've looked vaguely into them so far, and have decided that I want a pygmy type due to their smaller size as I have very little wall/floor space, but I'm not sure which.

Price range isn't really an issue for specimen or for habitat, and I would really love something colorful, but I've never owned a reptile before, just everything else under the sun.

Tldr: Colorful/pygmy types that are beginner acceptable that have relatively small habitats.

 

[ashley9333]

well that's cool. just make sure you do your research on them. I have a veiled chameleon. good luck

 

[Sticktongue]

Their are a lot of species that are small in size that are not pygmy. Whats your size limit on an enclosure?

 

[camimom]

pygmies, are hard to care for as a beginner species, they are not very colorful, mainly a brownish color.


chams only need at max 2 ft by 2 ft on the ground, they like more vertrical space than horizontal. if you want colorful, pygmies arent the way to go.
JMO.
now, panthers are very colorful, but require a 2x2x4 foot cage.
if you can handle that, then a panther is how you should go.

 

[chametc]

Welcome to the Forums. Due some research before getting anything. Pygmys are not very colorful, and not the easiest for a beginner.There are some smaller species that do not require very large enclosures. Also, be carefull of pet store chameleons. Many are not well cared for. You would be better served buying from a breeder or forum member. Good luck.

 

[Tabooza]

Hello Remy take the advice, do some reasearch thats what I'm doing before I get my little guy/girl. I'm new to the forum to but have learned a bunch already. Ask questions.

 

[Ace]

Research carpet chameleons...i think you'll like them ...goodluck

 

[Tabooza]

Hey Ace thats what im looking into either a Panther or Carpet any good thread on either of these anyone

 

[Thezillaman21]

Haaha this guy sounds like me. Just take your time because they are alot of work and they need specific care. Pygmies are known to have a less tolerant life compared to veileds. And price wise if you know alittle about building you can make your own cage cheap.

 

[Ace]

Hey Ace thats what im looking into either a Panther or Carpet any good thread on either of these anyone

Well i dont kbow about a thread but i k ow a forum member "dooley1" you can try and pm him about specific care of carpets.... from what i hear they can be fine in smaller cages maybe max 18x18x36- 16x16x30 due to their size.... though idk how they compare to panthers... but in my opinion the most change is size/cage, temps, humidity.... if you know thosr basics you cam house nearly any ch imo...just research, ask tips etc... lol

I would think carpets are not too difficult from panthers but dont quote me on that lol

 

[okiroo]

Research carpet chameleons...i think you'll like them ...goodluck

i agree. carpets are pritty small and very colorful. the females are more colorful than males but both are beautiful. if your worriod about cage space jsut buy a few trees such a ficus and set up a "cage" with no cage around it. both true chams Freerange (no cage) i also have pygmys but they have to be in a cage. if you do decide to get a bigger cham and freerange ask alot about it. its not something you just throw together

 

[Tabooza]

Sounds good Ace thanks for the tips and Dooley1 well b hearing from me, once again thx Ace

 

[Ace]

Sounds good Ace thanks for the tips and Dooley1 well b hearing from me, once again thx Ace

No problem and goodluck to whatevet cham you choose...post pucs when you get your cham

 

[Remy]

Well at first I was looking for something to put into a 20 gallon tall, but on more research I found one) Most chameleons can't fit, they get bigger than the one at the store And two) They might not do so well in aquariums. So as far as space goes, an enclosure that is around the size of a 20 g tall by a width margin of of a foot or so, or taller, but not too tall! I'm only 5'1.
With that being said I figured the only thing it would be feasible to put inside of that space range would be a pygmy type. It is slightly disheartening to hear about their demanding needs though.
Is there anything in particular that makes them more difficult than larger chameleons that I should factor in?

I was also under the impression that there were some colorful pygmy types I.E Montane pygmy? , but maybe I am mis-reading or adding extra context to their names.

Sorry if im just dumping alot of common knowledge questions out, it's just been surprisingly hard to get definitive answers for chameleon care in particular from both the internet and my local pet shops.

 

[Remy]

Well then is there another forum I can go to that can help me better, or a reference website that I can figure out everything myself if no one here can help me?

 

[Remy]

Well thanks anyways guys. 4chan surprisingly actually helped me alot more than anyone even tried to on here. Its really weird considering its the first time Ive begged from information from an active board, but I guess the upstanding chan citizens stepped in where normal people couldn't be damned. Happy chameleon keeping guys!

 

[Ace]

sorry we couldnt be much help....we arent experts just normal people....goodluck