Newb Questions

[Clarke221]

Hi All,

I'm new to the chameleon world, and am debating adding either a panther or a couple pygmy chameleons to my animal collection. Curious to know what you all think about each, and which would be the better way for me to go.

My experience with reptiles in the past ranges from boas to cresteds, bred and kept up to 20 cresteds at one time before going to college and not having the time for them.

I know a panther will most likely be a more delicate animal, and take up a lot more room, but I seem to have trouble finding much info on pygmies including care and access to breeders. If you could give me a simple breakdown of each, and let me know which would be better to start with, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[joshua n janet]

i think a pygmy would be easier to keep out of both. they look fun to just stare at all day since they are so small i would go pygmy

 

[jamncristian]

panther cham intro
http://screameleons.com/Chameleons_caresheet.htm

panther cham setup basics
http://screameleons.com/How_to_care_for_Chameleons.htm

panther cham feeding and gutloading basics
http://screameleons.com/site/3453/default.aspx

http://screameleons.com/site/3602/default.aspx

pygmy care
http://flchams.com/

search pygmy care download under the breeders link

 

[jamncristian]

pygmys are not reccomended for first time chameleon owners

 

[chamtrainer]

Dude i guarantee you that you will be a lot better off getting a panther chameleon. They are actually really easy to take care of despite what others might say. Plus they are so much cooler than pygmies.

 

[jamncristian]

pygmys are pretty cool too cause what they lack in color and size they make up with personality & behavior

 

[draetish]

It depends on how much space you have and how much money you want to spend also.

 

[joshua n janet]

yea draetish is right

 

[renzo0684]

Just to add my two cents. I would go with a panther as a starter cham, out of the two that you mentioned, but I would recomend a veiled. Yes panthers are easy to take care of but in my opinion veileds are a heartier chameleon and a great starter cham. I hope this helps.

 

[Clarke221]

To go a little more in depth, my big debate is actually space and cost. I am trying to keep my costs low and would like to be able to put the chameleon in an area it can be seen, where I can enjoy it. So cost and space wise I know Pygmy is the way to go, but I absolutely love panthers, for their stunning colors. I'm confident in my abilities to carefor either, and I know Pygmy chameleons can be tricky. I have read that they have great personalities though, And that is attractive to me. So, I'm really leaning towards the Pygmy, but seem to have quite a few people telling me to shy away from them.

 

[renzo0684]

To go a little more in depth, my big debate is actually space and cost. I am trying to keep my costs low and would like to be able to put the chameleon in an area it can be seen, where I can enjoy it. So cost and space wise I know Pygmy is the way to go, but I absolutely love panthers, for their stunning colors. I'm confident in my abilities to carefor either, and I know Pygmy chameleons can be tricky. I have read that they have great personalities though, And that is attractive to me. So, I'm really leaning towards the Pygmy, but seem to have quite a few people telling me to shy away from them.

So cost in a cage would be cheaper to have a panther but space is gonna have to go with a pygmy. The enclosure for the pygmy may get a little expensive and harder to keep than a panthers cage. I think it just comes down to what you really want. I found that if you are torn between two chams it really doesnt matter because you will own both real soon anyway =]

 

[draetish]

So true renzo0684. I've heard Bearded Pygmy are the ones you want to start off with.

 

[renzo0684]

So true renzo0684. I've heard Bearded Pygmy are the ones you want to start off with.

Yes if you do want to start with a pygmy I would say go with the bearded pygmy

 

[joshua n janet]

Yes if you do want to start with a pygmy I would say go with the bearded pygmy

y wats the driffrence about that one

 

[renzo0684]

Here is a good place to read about bearded pygmy's http://www.chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=46

 

[jessica]

Hello,

I just wanted to post a link to all the wonderful threads on pygmy enclosures.

May be the difference in set ups will help you decide.
Hope this helps

https://www.chameleonforums.com/pygmy-enclosures/

 

[Clarke221]

Thanks all for your help. I'm still up in the air at this point. My husband has given me the go ahead on either. We've found a space for a panther, and money is not necessarily a huge issue.

Of course, the panther that I love, the tamatave, seems to be fairly rare. I always seem to have rare expensive taste. Go figure. So...pygmys or panther...we'll see. I've read over all the care sheets I can find for both. I'll give it some thought and go from there.

Thanks again.

 

[Elizadolots]

If you have the space, then a panther is a great option...stay on the board and report any problems...I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience. Don't try to have the pentultimate experience right off the bat...just get a good quality animal and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[renzo0684]

Thanks all for your help. I'm still up in the air at this point. My husband has given me the go ahead on either. We've found a space for a panther, and money is not necessarily a huge issue.

Of course, the panther that I love, the tamatave, seems to be fairly rare. I always seem to have rare expensive taste. Go figure. So...pygmys or panther...we'll see. I've read over all the care sheets I can find for both. I'll give it some thought and go from there.

Thanks again.

Like I said before you will find out soon that it does not matter what one you get bacause you will own both very very soon