Newbie question on best starter Chameleon.

[sphynxlair]

Hello all,
I am contemplating getting into the world of Chameleons- pet only. I have a few questions and hope you can help and also hope I am asking in the right section of the boards.

I have had a few reptiles in the past from lizards to turtles and a few snakes but am absolutely not a pro what so ever.

I have always been intrigued by the Chameleon and curious of what entails owning and caring for one.

• Best starter chameleon or does that matter?
• Can two different breeds be kept in the same tank?
• how often if at all can I handle them?
• What is the average initial investment going to be besides the cost of the Chameleon, tank, habitat items lights etc?

Also, if you could point me in the right direction on the forums for feeding, how often and what and perhaps habitat ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

-Tom

 

[camimom]

Welcome to the addiction!

the best chams to start with in my opinion, are Veileds and Panthers.

they have the basic same care requirements, and can tolerate mino mistakes with them.

Veileds are cheaper, and are varying shades of green/blue with yellow stripes, and have the awesome tall casque.

Panthers cost alot more, and come in every color imaginable.

Both require 2x2x4 foot cages as adults, as well as multiple mistings a day, supplementing,and good foliage.

care sheets can be found on this forum.

not including the purchase of your chameleon, (which can vary from 50-300+) the cage, uvb light, basking light, fixures, supplements, plants, bugs, etc. can get you over 300 real easy.

as for regular maintenance, we suggest having a vet fund, in case it gets sick, and then youre daily cost will be for food primarily.

we recommend you feed a variety of feeders, and you have to gutload them properly (i.e. feed the bugs really well) before you feed off, we use fresh fruits and veggies as well as some dry gutloads from site sponsors or other members (i.e dino fuel, super pig, cricket crack) there are blogs on bugs and gutloading on here as well. check out sandrachameleons blogs. the best for gutloading.

Anything else?

I think they are well worth it..
which i why i have 2 adult veileds, 1 adult panther, 1 juvi panther, and 34 veiled babies, just waiting to get adopted.


ooops forgot.

muliple species cannot be kept in the same cage.
and we dont recommend a male/female combo either, or a male/male, or female/ female.

too much stress.

The only species that can be kept in a male/female/female combo are pygmies, which i would NOT recommend getting into as your first cham, as they are super sensitive, normally wild caught.. and just not the easiest to deal with as the first one.

handling is dependen on the cham itself. some love it, some hate it, some tolerate you... it varies.

 

[ISA my Veiled]

Welcome to the addiction!

the best chams to start with in my opinion, are Veileds and Panthers.

they have the basic same care requirements, and can tolerate mino mistakes with them.

Veileds are cheaper, and are varying shades of green/blue with yellow stripes, and have the awesome tall casque.

Panthers cost alot more, and come in every color imaginable.

Both require 2x2x4 foot cages as adults, as well as multiple mistings a day, supplementing,and good foliage.

care sheets can be found on this forum.

not including the purchase of your chameleon, (which can vary from 50-300+) the cage, uvb light, basking light, fixures, supplements, plants, bugs, etc. can get you over 300 real easy.

as for regular maintenance, we suggest having a vet fund, in case it gets sick, and then youre daily cost will be for food primarily.

we recommend you feed a variety of feeders, and you have to gutload them properly (i.e. feed the bugs really well) before you feed off, we use fresh fruits and veggies as well as some dry gutloads from site sponsors or other members (i.e dino fuel, super pig, cricket crack) there are blogs on bugs and gutloading on here as well. check out sandrachameleons blogs. the best for gutloading.

Anything else?

I think they are well worth it..
which i why i have 2 adult veileds, 1 adult panther, 1 juvi panther, and 34 veiled babies, just waiting to get adopted.


ooops forgot.

muliple species cannot be kept in the same cage.
and we dont recommend a male/female combo either, or a male/male, or female/ female.

too much stress.

The only species that can be kept in a male/female/female combo are pygmies, which i would NOT recommend getting into as your first cham, as they are super sensitive, normally wild caught.. and just not the easiest to deal with as the first one.

handling is dependen on the cham itself. some love it, some hate it, some tolerate you... it varies.

Well said But I also recommend going with Veileds. Very easy to take care of and they are in my opinion the more hardy of all the chameleons. Can't handle a few mistakes although its not recommend but thats why they are so good for beginners. Some Veileds do get a bit nasty at times but that is simply in there nature and not every chameleon is going to be like that. Just depends on the individual chameleon really.

And as for cost like she said it can be anywhere from a combined cost of $200-$450 depending on the brand of the stuff you buy. If I were you I would purchase all the items you need well before you get the chameleon that way you can establish the living space and the humidity and temps. That would be the idea way to do it. Make sure you have plenty of foliage and hiding places and just perfect it before you throw him/her in there to reduce the shock of a new home. Believe me it will help. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this wonderful addiction because chameleons are truly amazing and just fantastic in so many ways. I had to sell my baby because of personal reasons but soon I am buying another. You'll see why I can't stay away once you get whatever chameleon you decide on.