Recently I have talked my wife info getting a chameleon. Something that I have always wanted to do but no experience at all. I have done saltwater tanks and thats about it. I have been doing research online but figured I would ask in here.
looking for advice on:
What chameleon? - Love the colors of them but did not know there were so many different types
Cage size?
Full mesh or hybrid?
Diet?
Mister or fogger or both?
Light or lights?
Heating rock or pad?
Hi and welcome! You’ve found the place that can help!
What type of chameleon depends on your tastes and goals. However, most commonly people start off with a veiled (aka Yemen) or panther chameleon. The panther chameleon can be further broken down into locales, or what part of Madagascar it originates from, as different areas (or locales) have different coloration and patterns. The most common is the Ambilobe and they are gorgeous. *all chameleons are gorgeous though. To help you choose, what are your goals? Do you want an animal to gaze at and admire, like you do with fish, or do you want to be able to handle it at times? Well, first, most chameleons are best treated as fish, but panthers are in general more amenable to being handled. Veileds can be quite hissy and try to bite. Of course, there are exceptions for both species. The first thing that I definitely will recommend is that you start with a male. While the ladies are wonderful and gorgeous, they do lay eggs regardless of being mated (like chickens) and this can be nerve-wracking for a new keeper. The second thing I strongly recommend is buying only from a reputable breeder. While you may be able to save a few $$ from various ‘breeders’ or sources, often there is little to no guarantee or help after your money is obtained. The breeders who sponsor the forum have all proven themselves to be excellent in every way. There are no true dedicated breeders of veileds, but Fram’s Chams often breeds some, and the quality of their animals and service is well worth waiting for.
The minimum size enclosure for an adult chameleon is 2x2x4’, however I encourage going as big as you possibly can. There are varied options for enclosures in types and quality. The basic budget one is like ReptiBreeze XL or https://www.diycages.com/collection...umbo-vertical-screen-cage?variant=35995105933 which is a bit better quality. At the high end there are https://tamura-designs.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorpymJI6k67RI0mHXH6jm0jfg86yWSmhyFM-Gmgz1IBASmW_ANk and there is much in between. https://dragonstrand.com/ offers very nice quality enclosures which are available in hybrid form, which is great for most environments.
Diet is going to be nothing but live bugs. You’ll need to feed your feeder bugs well with a variety of fresh produce so that they will be more nutritious. I’ll attach graphics for you. A variety of feeders is always best.
Misting is done for providing drinking water, either with a hand mister or electronics one. Mist King is fantastic! Foggers are used only at night and only if you are able to achieve night time temps below at least 68F.
You’ll need a basking light, usually a dome fixture with an incandescent basking bulb. You’ll also need a T5 linear fixture which is long enough to span the width of your enclosure, and with either an Arcadia 6% or ReptiSun 5.0 uvb bulb. (avoid cheap bulbs) While temps vary according to age and gender, for the most part you want basking temps of 80-85F. Basking branch needs to be about 8-9” below the uvb for optimal exposure. Depending on the types of plants you get, you may need an optional light for them. There are several types. Many prefer the Arcadia Jungle Dawn. Best place to help with all of your lighting needs is Todd at https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/ He is awesome!
No heat mat or rock…chameleons are arboreal. *Actually, heat rocks are poor for most animals.
Back to plants - you want safe, live and cleaned ones. Pothos is a staple.
You also want plenty of branches and vines for your chameleon to travel on. Varied diameters are best to exercise little mitten feet muscles. I like to use real branches, like oak. I’ll attach a pic of some of my enclosures that I’ve set up to give you an idea.
You will also need to provide supplements. A phosphorus-free calcium without D3 is used at every feeding and then you need to provide a multivitamin and D3. The easiest way is to use a high quality product like Repashy Calcium Plus LoD (has pic of Jackson’s chameleon on label). This is used for one feeding every other week (or twice a month if you prefer).
There is quite a bit to know and learn. This may help. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/ Do continue to ask whatever questions you may have. Chameleons are amazing animals and we love helping others learn about and enjoy them.
*many more branches were added to both enclosures after pics taken
Recently I have talked my wife info getting a chameleon. Something that I have always wanted to do but no experience at all. I have done saltwater tanks and thats about it. I have been doing research online but figured I would ask in here.
looking for advice on:
What chameleon? - Love the colors of them but did not know there were so many different types
Cage size?
Full mesh or hybrid?
Diet?
Mister or fogger or both?
Light or lights?
Heating rock or pad?
You’ve found the place that can help!
