Newbie here

[sharlaxle]

Hello everyone.

We are just doing our research in preparation of our first chameleon. We have had other reptiles such as a bearded dragon named little brother, and we currently support my five year old sons dart frogs ( three), but my 7 yo daughter has decided that for her pet she wants a chameleon. We have been looking and she is set on a panther. Likes both the nosy Be and the blue Amilobes. She is currently devouring every book on chameleon care she can get , and is getting ready for her test. ( Neither of them can have a pet until they research it and can pass a written exam on care, and husbandry. Along with having a suitable living enclosure set up and fully functional for at least a month before the new pet comes home. )
So I wanted to make myself known as I will be lurking about gathering tips and tricks to help the poor little girl adjust. Yep she has decided on a female, although with as much as I am seeing about them I may end up with a male in the next year or so. Not looking to breed, but I gotta admit I do like them, and they seem like they will be a welcomed addition to the family.

Sharl

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

I hope your daughter realizes how much more responsibility and money they will cost than regular pets. Good luck!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum - all the info and inspiration you could want are here..........This is a great page to start on - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[VeiledChams]

Hello and welcome. I second what Karma said about how much it takes to successfully take care of a chameleon (specially a female). You have to know that a female will need more care and attention than a male and can expect many more problems if not properly taken care of.

For a first time keeper, specially for a 7yr old girl, I'd recommend you start of with a male (you can give it a girls name and pretend its a girl) and that would make it easier for you. You will see that it is quite some work and if you start with a veiled or panther, you will enjoy better the coloration of the males as opposed to females.

Whatever you choose, you have people here glad to help you take care of your future chameleon.

Welcome to the addiction

 

[heartben]

i think the post above was supposed to say "start off with a boy/ pretend its a girl"

not to mention most of the girls arent very colorful, if she wants a blue cham its be the safest to go with a nosy be probably. its good youll be testing her because there are a lot of things to consider when starting so if she knows what to expect she will be far better off than.. well a lot of the people who come on here after they got a cham at an expo or off craigslist or something..

edit : of course, welcome!

 

[VeiledChams]

i think the post above was supposed to say "start off with a boy/ pretend its a girl"

not to mention most of the girls arent very colorful, if she wants a blue cham its be the safest to go with a nosy be probably. its good youll be testing her because there are a lot of things to consider when starting so if she knows what to expect she will be far better off than.. well a lot of the people who come on here after they got a cham at an expo or off craigslist or something..

edit : of course, welcome!

whooops.. you're right..im going to correct it

 

[burnedrose]

Welcome!

I think the test idea is a great idea! I know, when I was young, my parents made us write down a list of responsibilities that come with owning a certain pet. We has fish, then gerbils, then guinea pigs, then rabbits and then a cat (who is still alive and as grumpy as ever). I still have so many books stashed away somewhere about owning all our pets. It really helps prepare them, too.

As for getting a female, I would say go for a male and pretend it's a female. As a first time owner, it will be harder to be prepared for her egg laying and then the need to eat everything in sight after she lays her eggs. Also, having children, it will probably be more stressful for the chameleon when she lays her eggs. Generally, you want a quiet place where she can lay her eggs without anyone watching and children, with their natural curiosity and their tendency to be reminded to use indoor voices, could cause a lot of undue stress on a gravid female.

Keep us updated with who you get your cham from, and if you have any questions, at all, let us know. and again, Welcome!

 

[krknieriem]

Just a thought but if the girl was doing her due diligence in researching her new pet wouldnt she know that the males have all the colors and not the females?

 

[JackP308]

Just a thought but if the girl was doing her due diligence in researching her new pet wouldnt she know that the males have all the colors and not the females?

Um yea kids are smart these days. Why lie to children anyways thats just terrible. Id honestly let her choose what she wants if she passes your crash course and has the means of caring for a pet if its hers. Females are not if any harder than males. They do have awesome colors time to time, but nothing like the males. I also dont see how people say chams are more $$ and responsibility than other pets. That is just not true. A dog will cost someone far more than the usual chameleon ever would easily.

Chameleons are awesome have fun with whatever your family chooses.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Welcome to the forum Sharl




Here are some links to additional reading you and your daughter may like to review prior to purchase:

• https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
• https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
• https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
  [*]https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html
  [*]https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
  [*]https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
  [*]https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...questions.html
  [*]http://www.chameleonnews.com/
• http://www.chameleonsonline.com/
• http://www.chromachameleons.com/index.php?page=care
• https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/
• https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/82-enclosures-housing.html

Females are not all that much harder than males. They just need a little extra support in terms of egg laying.

Just a thought but if the girl was doing her due diligence in researching her new pet wouldnt she know that the males have all the colors and not the females?

Females has PLENTY of lovely colour. Just different from males. Certainly blue isnt a common female panther colour.

 

[thephotoprincess]

Females are not if any harder than males. They do have awesome colors time to time, but nothing like the males. I also dont see how people say chams are more $$ and responsibility than other pets. That is just not true. A dog will cost someone far more than the usual chameleon ever would easily.
Chameleons are awesome have fun with whatever your family chooses.

well said! any pet takes time and money if cared for properly.

and females are lovely. I have veiled females not panthers but both groups of ladies are far more attractive to me than the males of either species. The female colors are subtle and delicate, especially in the female panthers but if I good only chose one I'd get a girl!

 

[sharlaxle]

Girl vs boy.

Yeah I wouldn't get away with the its really a girl thing, she is already aware that boys are more colorful. But I may be able to point out that we may stress out a female more. Hmmm I'll have to ask her. I was surprised when she chose a girl to tell you the truth.
Well, we'll keep learning, and yes we have seen a few chams at the expos we go to to get ideas, but I won't allow any impulse bus when it comes to pets. We started with the I want a cham about six months ago, and we have been looking into it ever since. I have to admit she proved me wrong in a few things. I didn't think that they wer able to be handled at all, but she researched and found supporting evidence that they are individuals and some are ok with slight handling.
Nothing like being proven wrong by your seven year old.
Thank you everyone we look forward to hearing and reading all about them.