New to Chams

J

johnC

New Member
Hey everyone ive been reading and researching Chameleons for awhile now and i am looking into keeping a Veiled. I have read many care sheets for them and put together a supplies list which includes...
-zoo-med reptisun 18 in. flscnt bulb
-Exo-Terra Sun-Glo Neodymium 60 Watts basking bulb
-Digital thermometer probe
-Herptivite Multivitamin
-Rep Cal Ultrafine Calcium with D-3
-100 Gallon Reptarium Cage (16.5 "x 30" x 48")
-varied plants (Ficus, Pothos, etc)
I will feed gut-loaded crickets and roaches or silkworms. I also have plans to make a custom dripping system and drainage to provide water/drain. Now what have i left out :D
Thanks
 
Also, if you get a young one, <6 months old, you'll probably want to start with a smaller enclosure to make sure he can find his food.
 
although the reptarium is cheaper...we prefer aluminum screen cages. We have both right now. They both have their pros and cons but if you can afford the little bit of extra money I would shoot for a screen cage.
Yes, get both reptical with D3 and reptical without D3.
 
ChrisnLisa said:
although the reptarium is cheaper...we prefer aluminum screen cages. We have both right now. They both have their pros and cons but if you can afford the little bit of extra money I would shoot for a screen cage.
Yes, get both reptical with D3 and reptical without D3.
Click to expand...

Could you give me a link of a good supplier?
 
I also just found a good screen cage and plan to get that instead of a reptarium. The size is 18 x 18 x 36. would this be ok for a four month old veiled
 
that shouldent be too bad. i put my six month in a 24,24,48.
i had a cup for cupfeeding in there so he can eat fine.
if you think he is not eating all he should then put it in a cup.
 
Welcome to the group!

When I first got my Veiled Chameleon about a month ago, the cage I bought off of someone was 48"x24"x24". Its a solid wooden frame with wire meshing for the sides, so it has excellent ventilation. When I put my little guy, about 4/5 months old into the cage, it became a bit over-whelming. Thanks to the suggestions of the folks here, I split the cage in half so it is 24"x24"x24". This helps me keep a closer eye on him. When my Cham does get larger, I just just remove the split and the cage will be back to 48" in height ;)

I also suggest using a feeder cup. This helps monitor how much the Cham is eating, which is important for Chams so young. If not, the crickets would hide in the plants and the Cham may not be able to find them.
 
Like everyone said I would go with the 24x24x48. If you plan to get a sub adult you'll need the larger cage in a matter of time. If you start out with a young guy it would be worth buying a baby/small juvi cage for the early months and then the larger 24x24x48 for his sub-adult/adult years. If you get a female the 24x24x36 size would work into adulthood.
 
So would the 24x24x36 work for a female long term? And what size crickets should i be feeding a 6 month old?
 
johnC said:
So would the 24x24x36 work for a female long term? And what size crickets should i be feeding a 6 month old?
Click to expand...

The general rule is that the food not be longer than the cham's mouth is wide. so at 6 months... maybe some 3-4 week old crickets would be fine.
 
um I think 3-4 week are like 3/8-1/2"?

6 week are like 1" or so.

Edit: where do you get crickets from? if you buy from Petsmart or Petco ask for small... and ask for a lot. If you order online the websites will tell you how they measure them and give a general measurement. Some measure them by how old (weeks) and others will measure my actual length. But all of them will tell you the break down and actual size compared to the size chart they use.

Didn't have good luck with them, My shipment never showed and it took the guy a week to finally resend the shipment. They supply to the San Diego Zoo with 1,000,000 crickets weekly... so they mush produce well. I hear great things about them... I just had bad luck. American Cricket Ranch

These guys weren't too bad. But they use a breeder on the east coast which makes no sense to me since they are located in Ocean Side (SoCal, west coast) I liked them because when I had issues with a shipment they took care of it asap and didn't pester me with questions. LLL Reptile

I buy from these guys every other week. I just drive down and pick up my order. I could do the same with LLL Reptile.... But These guys buy from the company I work for and last time I was there the owner hooked me up with some free stuff... Plus $15 for 1000 crickets when you pick up is a good deal. The only gripe I have with them is that they don't breed the crickets... the worms are GREAT and they breed those... but the crickets I hear come from American cricket ranch.. or someone else in the area. Mulberry Farms

If you want to try some roaches... they are great! I would recommend buying from these guys. You need to order by noon Sunday... But they are GREAT. good prices and good feeders. Roaches may freak out the Mrs. but... They are cleaner and Dubia don't infest like house roaches do. They can't climb out of a glass tank and don't smell. Blaptica Dubia.com

Here is another roach site. They look good but I have never purchased from them. Blaberus.com
 
Last edited:
Thanks for those links. I've heard many good things about mullberry and will probably order from there or llreptile. I just placed my supplies order tonight and hope to get it soon
 
I know how everyone hates roaches..... once my collony starts... I plan to just feed my chams with them. I know Jake likes them... But Fred... I dunno. I just like roaches cause they don't smell and don't require so much work. and Silkies?!?!? ARRRRRRRGGGG I am kinda tird of them... they poop and eat sooooooooooooooooooo much.....
 
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