Newbie here, please fill in your advice.

E46M3

New Member
Hey guys, hows it going. I've recently been doing my research on chameleons ever since I found out they carried them at my local pet store. I've always had animals my whole life (I know these can be very delicate) so I am somewhat aware what to expect before I buy a chameleon. So having that said, there's a lot of information out on the web, some info isn't so correct. So I guess Im just asking for personal experience advise. Im not sure what kid of chameleon I want to get yet, they have 3 different kinds at the pet store, including a Jackson, A Veiled, and another i cant remember? So please what would YOU recommend I purchase. Im located in Brentwood CA. I am new here so as-far as I know the weather gets pretty warm during the day plenty of sun, and humidity ranges between %40 to %75(summer time 82-96) I keep my place at 70 to 80 degrees. I have a 55 gallon glass tank I'm going to use until I need to upgrade to something taller. According to the pet store owners glass takes are okay considering the humidity can be low (they keep their chameleons in glass tanks and they seem fine). So any advice anyone would be willing to provide will be greatly appreciated. :)

ps-If anyone lives near by that can give me some personal advice that would be great!
 
Id go with a vieled or panther over a jackson as a first time chameleon.
Most people in the USA dont like glass cages, especially if you mean a fish tank. Chameleons need air flow / ventilation, which fish tanks dont have. Those exoterra cages with the two doors on the front and the vent strip along the front are okay though, until they outgrow them. I use a large birdcage myself. If the humidity there is 40% or higher, you dont need an cage that retains humidity.
 
These are the little guys at the pet store I can choose from, Panther, Veiled and Jackson.

note- These are the enclosures at the pet store.
 

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Hello & welcome. Forget the pet store and there worthless bad advice. You can't use that glass aquarium for any of those chameleons.

Let's get you hooked up right to start off. You need to send a PM to Dave Weldon on the forum. He can tell you how to come to the group meeting that is in LA. Also you need to read raisingkittytheveiledchameleon just google it. it will tell you all you need to know to have a healthy happy chameleon.
 
im sure you will find all the info from the links that laurie gave. as my opinion on which one to choose it wld also say between panther or veiled. and looking at the pics i wld go with the panther (middle pic) because it is lder and hardier. the veiled (which im guessing are in the right pic from procces of elimination) are very young and will be harder to take care of. if there is a veiled that is bigger say round 4-6 months old i would go with that one. They are both great choices .
 
For a good primer on chameleon care, check out the care information provided on the websites of several of the forum sponsors such as Fl Chams, Screameleons, Kammerflage Kreations etc. Then supplement it with the information provided by the forum members.

Unfortunately, pet shops are some of the worst sources for chameleon care information as demonstrated by your photos of chameleons in glass cages with water dishes... ugh.
 
Kammerflage Kreations which is also Chameleonsonly. The owner if fantastic to work with. Her name is Liddy. She is the best!!!!
 
Kammerflage Kreations which is also Chameleonsonly. The owner if fantastic to work with. Her name is Liddy. She is the best!!!!

I agree Ed and Liddy are awesome people and have excellent chameleons to offer. I also highly reccomend tikitikireptiles, most of my chams have come from them and all are healthy and very nice chameleons.
 
Any site sponsor is good. Just depends on wich species you want. I'd suggest getting a male Cham as a starter, for females , because of the whole egg cycle, are more complicated and usually live shorter lives. Not to mention males are more colorful.
 
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