newbie questions

[snaggle]

I have been looking for a chameleon for a while now, I would love to get a panther chameleon but the price tag is just to high for me. I have found this add, http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLa...m/i8/02/k/000/7a/6e/57a0_18.JPG?set_id=1C4000 for baby chameleons for sale in Ont, I am going to driving out there tomorrow and will be back in tow weeks. I would like to get one but I am worried about 4 things;

1 The age of the chameleons (I have read the any under 3 months need small food ie pin head crickets witch are not available in Wainwright).

2 Transporting one home (It is about 28 hours of driving to get from there to my house)

3 housing it while it grows (I have a 175 Flexarium that I just need to make a screen for but I think it is too big) (Also what can I use to fix it so I can use it?)

4 I am in the military so I have a tendency to be gone from time to time (I don't want to burden my wife to much and I am not sure if I can trust an auto misting system)

I would like vary much to buy one of these little guys I have been reading lots of different web sites about caring for them and they seem no more demanding then some of my more demanding fish.

 

[hawaiianice99]

1 The age of the chameleons (I have read the any under 3 months need small food ie pin head crickets witch are not available in Wainwright).
Dont get a cham under 3 months old if its your first, with the amount of care they require let them grow up to at least 3-4 months then get one.

2 Transporting one home (It is about 28 hours of driving to get from there to my house)
Is shipping an option, it will be alot cheaper. should be fine just make sure that the temps are adequate for the cham to be comfortable and minimize stress.

3 housing it while it grows (I have a 175 Flexarium that I just need to make a screen for but I think it is too big) (Also what can I use to fix it so I can use it?)
For a -3month that is way to big, you would want to start with someting more like 2x2. If their cage is to big it will be hard for them to feed and could stress them out.

4 I am in the military so I have a tendency to be gone from time to time (I don't want to burden my wife to much and I am not sure if I can trust an auto misting system)
If you are gone for periods of time a cham is not for you, they require daily care and constant monitoring.

Here is a good website that will tell you everything you need to know.
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

Also your URL you posted didnt go to any specific site, just the homepage. But you can get chams cheaper than that on this site.

 

[snaggle]

Thanks for the info. I have fixed the link. I have been considering getting a cham for a while now, my wife will take care of it for me when I have to go away, she has told me that she has no problem feeding crickets but will not feed any thing that eats mice. I do have a smaller cage that I can use it is a 30 gallon aquarium with a reptile top, I am a little leery about using it though because I have read that having glass on 3 sides can cause some big problems. How big of a house do I need for a baby cham say less than 1 year?

 

[hawaiianice99]

Dont under any circumstances use the aquarium, that will lead you down a road of problems you dont want. You are going to go through a couple cages if you go with a 3-4month old, chams grow very fast and will be almost full grown within a year. You can order a nice smaller cage from LLLreptile for real cheap and that will be fine until your cham is large enough to be put in your 175 at about 6-8 months. If you use an automated mister you need to think about drainage because they release alot of water many times a day and that water builds up, but as long as your wife is willing to learn everything about cham care that should work but make sure she understands everyting.

 

[Julirs]

I am in the military so I have a tendency to be gone from time to time (I don't want to burden my wife to much and I am not sure if I can trust an auto misting system)

I would like vary much to buy one of these little guys I have been reading lots of different web sites about caring for them and they seem no more demanding then some of my more demanding fish.

This is hands down the most demanding and time consuming animal I have ever owned. The only reason that I have even been able to leave for a day is because my daughter is well versed on the cham care. I would make sure if you are going to be gone that your wife is on board with this. To do it right it means misting at least 2-3X daily and caring for and keeping more than one type of feeder. I think people also underestimate feeder care. Not trying to disourage you, but this is a "pet" that can really pin you down.

 

[dodolah]

Julirs said it perfectly.
It will take a toll on your wife.
It's time consuming and can be quite expensive.
I wonder if she's ready to be committed to it..

talk about it first to your wife. and let her know if she will be bothered with the care regiment.

 

[snaggle]

I think I will have to waint for a little bit then. I think I will just do more reserch and save up to get a panter chameleon later on down the line. Thanks for the help.