New to the forum, and need the experts advice!

tko818

tko818

New Member
Hey guys! since i was a kid i have always been fascinated with chameleons. And now i feel is a good time for me to give one a home! I have owned frogs, geckos, iguanas and other reptiles before but never a chameleon. Im wanting to get a chameleon, but dont know where to start. I want a large one, and hopefully one of those amazing colored ones! some one point me in the right direction :eek: thank yall ahead of time
 
well im just going to sayWelcom to the Forums! do lots of reasearch! chameleons are not as easy to take care of as other reptiles but with alot of knowledge it is not that hard either, make sure you have proper heat, uvb, terrarium size (prefferably all screen) unless you live in canada then it depends. i cant tell you everything because i myself dont think i will ever know EVERYTHING but search around the forums and im sure you can find most if not all you need to know from peoples advice. IMO id start off with a babie :) they are always better to start from scratch and you will have your little cham for longer and be able to watch it grow up! as for color im assuming you want a panther. My personal fav is the Nosy Be, but hey your cham is your choice to choose. Good Luck on your reasearch! (Ill attach a pic of a Nosy Be Adult Male)
 

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Matt1851 said:
well im just going to sayWelcom to the Forums! do lots of reasearch! chameleons are not as easy to take care of as other reptiles but with alot of knowledge it is not that hard either, make sure you have proper heat, uvb, terrarium size (prefferably all screen) unless you live in canada then it depends. i cant tell you everything because i myself dont think i will ever know EVERYTHING but search around the forums and im sure you can find most if not all you need to know from peoples advice. IMO id start off with a babie :) they are always better to start from scratch and you will have your little cham for longer and be able to watch it grow up! as for color im assuming you want a panther. My personal fav is the Nosy Be, but hey your cham is your choice to choose. Good Luck on your reasearch! (Ill attach a pic of a Nosy Be Adult Male)
Click to expand...

thanks for the response! and yeah i been researching for years! so i think its time to get one and start my hands on experience! i live in so cal so theres alot of places to get the equipment near by. and starting with a baby would be great! it seems like panthers are gunnabe the ones for e because those colors are just amazin! how big can they get? and whats with the lingo? red bar blue bar nosy be.. i need to learn :(
 
Panthers are a single species, but diversified in Locale.

Ambilobe
Sambava
Ambanja
Nosy Be

These are the four most common

from there

Ambilobe - Red Barred
Ambiloe - Blue Barred

Sambavas don't have that much variation so they are just generally referred to as Sambavas. Though some lines are more reknown for oranges and some for reds, and others for yellows

Ambanja - Purple Barred
Ambanja - Blue Barred
Ambanja - Red Barred

Nosy Be - these are the pure blue/blue & white chameleons. The more expensive ones will be completely blue, with the more color mixing resulting in lower prices.

But that is just a start to the list of panther chameleons, from the top of my head:

Nosy Faly
Nosy Mitsio
Ankarmy (sp?)
St. Mary's

and many many more....

Size wise they usually come in at about a foot long for males, though some size variations is always to be expected. Females are noticeable smaller.

I have A Sambava and a Purple Bar Ambanja, and I could not be more pleased with them :)

they also make for a fine starter chameleon
 
SpinyFranky said:
Panthers are a single species, but diversified in Locale.

Ambilobe
Sambava
Ambanja
Nosy Be

These are the four most common

from there

Ambilobe - Red Barred
Ambiloe - Blue Barred

Sambavas don't have that much variation so they are just generally referred to as Sambavas. Though some lines are more reknown for oranges and some for reds, and others for yellows

Ambanja - Purple Barred
Ambanja - Blue Barred
Ambanja - Red Barred

Nosy Be - these are the pure blue/blue & white chameleons. The more expensive ones will be completely blue, with the more color mixing resulting in lower prices.

But that is just a start to the list of panther chameleons, from the top of my head:

Nosy Faly
Nosy Mitsio
Ankarmy (sp?)
St. Mary's

and many many more....

Size wise they usually come in at about a foot long for males, though some size variations is always to be expected. Females are noticeable smaller.

I have A Sambava and a Purple Bar Ambanja, and I could not be more pleased with them :)

they also make for a fine starter chameleon
Click to expand...

very informative post right there haha thanks for all the info! i wanted to get a cham about a foot long, so that sounds god! anyway u can post a picture of ur purple barred cham? sounds amazing! :D
 
Welcome to the Forums! im also new and have been researching for a few months now. my advice, get a book on chams. Books are very good resources. the people who write them have had tons of experience and know what they are talking about.

I would also read LOTS of posts. particularly the ones pertaining to husbandry. If you want a panther look for the correct temps, humidity, etc. every species of chameleon is different, and requires care specified for that species.

I would also recommend reading up on health issues. sometimes, (from what i have read) chams can be tricky when it comes to spotting disease or illness. know the signs, know the common illnesses. read about what works and what doesn't work when it comes to common cham diseases. and make sure you have a herp vet in your area.

above all, know that you, and you alone are responsible for the cham you bring home. you are responsible for giving him/her proper care.

i don't own a cham (yet!, june 8th is coming up soon:) ) , but i am aware of the responsibility that is ahead of me.

learn from the people who post information on this site. they are all very kind and very helpful. and it is obvious that they love their chams, and love providing the best possible care for them.

good luck with your research, and i hope you provide a wonderful home for your future cham!!!

-Tyler :)
 
0056copy.jpg

This image comes from chameleonsnorthwest.com and is Azure, the father of my purple bar Ambanja.

Currently My Basil is still a little young to be showing off his adult coloration (which usually kicks in @ 1 year of age, but can take as long as 1.5 years)

Though If I make him mad enough his face stripes purple and blue :)


Here is a link to a few very recent photos of my Sambava that I posted on the forum early last week. Unfortunately I was not home for a few days and now that I want to take the Ambanja outside, the weather is not being cooperative. However when the sun shines again he will go outside and we will have our pictures :)
https://www.chameleonforums.com/leonardo-sun-41300/
 
Last edited:
SpinyFranky said:
0056copy.jpg

This image comes from chameleonsnorthwest.com and is Azure, the father of my purple bar Ambanja.

Currently My Basil is still a little young to be showing off his adult coloration (which usually kicks in @ 1 year of age, but can take as long as 1.5 years)

Though If I make him mad enough his face stripes purple and blue :)
Click to expand...

haha great looking cha right there! hopefully urs will look great like this one :cool:
 
Tyler33 said:
Welcome to the Forums! im also new and have been researching for a few months now. my advice, get a book on chams. Books are very good resources. the people who write them have had tons of experience and know what they are talking about.

I would also read LOTS of posts. particularly the ones pertaining to husbandry. If you want a panther look for the correct temps, humidity, etc. every species of chameleon is different, and requires care specified for that species.

I would also recommend reading up on health issues. sometimes, (from what i have read) chams can be tricky when it comes to spotting disease or illness. know the signs, know the common illnesses. read about what works and what doesn't work when it comes to common cham diseases. and make sure you have a herp vet in your area.

above all, know that you, and you alone are responsible for the cham you bring home. you are responsible for giving him/her proper care.

i don't own a cham (yet!, june 8th is coming up soon:) ) , but i am aware of the responsibility that is ahead of me.

learn from the people who post information on this site. they are all very kind and very helpful. and it is obvious that they love their chams, and love providing the best possible care for them.

good luck with your research, and i hope you provide a wonderful home for your future cham!!!

-Tyler :)
Click to expand...

thanks tyler, i appreciate your advicce! i think im going to check out my local borders n get some books. i been doing alot of reading on this forum and finally decided to join, so hopefully soon i will have a cha! make sure to post pics of urs when u get one and good luck! :)
 
tko818 said:
thanks tyler, i appreciate your advicce! i think im going to check out my local borders n get some books. i been doing alot of reading on this forum and finally decided to join, so hopefully soon i will have a cha! make sure to post pics of urs when u get one and good luck! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks! and i will! keep reading! With any animal it is a constant learning process! :)
 
tko818 said:
thanks tyler, i appreciate your advicce! i think im going to check out my local borders n get some books. i been doing alot of reading on this forum and finally decided to join, so hopefully soon i will have a cha! make sure to post pics of urs when u get one and good luck! :)
Click to expand...

The forums actually sells the best chameleon books available, and from personal experience I have not been able to find reliable chameleon specific books at any book store, chameleons are just not that popular of a pet for major retailers to carry species specific works.

That however does not mean that excellent books do not exist, as stated that are easily found and purchased @ the forum book store which is one of the green tabs on the top of the site.

It will support the site, give you information, and ensure a great life for your future chameleon... can't get better than that :)
 
Howdy Jamil,

Welcome soon-to-be fellow SoCal chameleon keeper :). We're having our free monthly South Bay Chameleon Keepers group meeting tomorrow night in LA. Here's the invite thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/may-25th-tues-south-bay-chameleon-keepers-meeting-41344/

There are a number of chameleon breeders in the group who you could make contact with at the meeting or through posting your interest in the meeting thread. Chamelisa also takes orders for the very popular aluminum screen enclosures too.

So if you happen to live within driving distance, slide-on over :).
 
SpinyFranky said:
0056copy.jpg

This image comes from chameleonsnorthwest.com and is Azure, the father of my purple bar Ambanja.

Currently My Basil is still a little young to be showing off his adult coloration (which usually kicks in @ 1 year of age, but can take as long as 1.5 years)

Though If I make him mad enough his face stripes purple and blue :)


Here is a link to a few very recent photos of my Sambava that I posted on the forum early last week. Unfortunately I was not home for a few days and now that I want to take the Ambanja outside, the weather is not being cooperative. However when the sun shines again he will go outside and we will have our pictures :)
https://www.chameleonforums.com/leonardo-sun-41300/
Click to expand...


I am thinking of getting an ambanja from azure once he has more offspring. would love to see a pic of one of his children
 
Tyler33 said:
Thanks! and i will! keep reading! With any animal it is a constant learning process! :)
Click to expand...

Actually, I would not start off with a tiny baby. Reputable breeders will sell their young chams at several months old, not as hatchlings. They know that not all clutchmates are destined to survive, but at a few months old some of this is over with. Also, hatchlings are more delicate, harder to feed, keep hydrated, and at the right temps, especially for a newbie.

Check out the veiled chameleon too. They are also a good starter species as they are more tolerant of newbie mistakes. But, there are many mass produced, less than optimum health babies out there for low prices. Again, a good breeder will have photos of the parents, will have a good detailed care page, and not sell them as tiny babies.

Another source of good husbandry articles is the Chameleonnews.com e-zine.
 
Hi, Spinyfranky- did you get your Sambava from chams NW as well? I have one of Azures females and a male Sambava from there too. They are both growing up nicely.
 
Carlton said:
Actually, I would not start off with a tiny baby. Reputable breeders will sell their young chams at several months old, not as hatchlings. They know that not all clutchmates are destined to survive, but at a few months old some of this is over with. Also, hatchlings are more delicate, harder to feed, keep hydrated, and at the right temps, especially for a newbie.

Check out the veiled chameleon too. They are also a good starter species as they are more tolerant of newbie mistakes. But, there are many mass produced, less than optimum health babies out there for low prices. Again, a good breeder will have photos of the parents, will have a good detailed care page, and not sell them as tiny babies.

Another source of good husbandry articles is the Chameleonnews.com e-zine.
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice carlton! i'll definitely look into the veiled chams as well!
 
SpinyFranky said:
The forums actually sells the best chameleon books available, and from personal experience I have not been able to find reliable chameleon specific books at any book store, chameleons are just not that popular of a pet for major retailers to carry species specific works.

That however does not mean that excellent books do not exist, as stated that are easily found and purchased @ the forum book store which is one of the green tabs on the top of the site.

It will support the site, give you information, and ensure a great life for your future chameleon... can't get better than that :)
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip! that makes it easier, i didnt really find anything great at the book store anyways :/
 
Dave Weldon said:
Howdy Jamil,

Welcome soon-to-be fellow SoCal chameleon keeper :). We're having our free monthly South Bay Chameleon Keepers group meeting tomorrow night in LA. Here's the invite thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/may-25th-tues-south-bay-chameleon-keepers-meeting-41344/

There are a number of chameleon breeders in the group who you could make contact with at the meeting or through posting your interest in the meeting thread. Chamelisa also takes orders for the very popular aluminum screen enclosures too.

So if you happen to live within driving distance, slide-on over :).
Click to expand...

thanks for the invite dave! i will definitely have to make it out to one of those meetings, i'll have to clear my schedule :cool:
 
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