Should I get a chameleon?

[slowfoot]

I'm on the verge here but I'll let you guys decide. A little information first:

Due to school and moving around the country and such, I haven't been able to keep chameleons for almost 8 years. And now I'm tired of waiting. I've had experience with many species (I did my Masters work on veileds), and chams are by far my favorite herps to keep. Here's how I see it:

Pros:
- I live in North Florida, which has pretty decent weather for semi-outside cham keeping (which I prefer). Cool weather species are out of the question because of the heat, and I'm kind of burnt-out on veileds, so I'm thinking a single male pahther is probably appropriate.

- My yard is basically a jungle, so there are plenty of spots for me to build a large 'step-in' type cage. I have an indoor cage, too, that I held on to, which I can use when the weather is too hot or too cold.

Cons:
- We're definitely going to be moving (either one year from now, or two years from now). I've moved with chams before, and it's gone well, but it's stressful for both me and them. Plus, we could move somewhere where outside keeping is just not possible for a significant portion of the year.

- The initial set-up costs are always a consideration, especially investing in a big cage you can't take with you. So there's that.

Any thoughts? I'd especially like to hear from Florida keepers. Should I succumb to the temptation

 

[dodolah]

succumbing to temptation is actually the easy part. The hard part comes when the animal is present.
Can you at least wait until you live somewhat permanently? If you are going to move soon, then imo, it is best to wait.
Moving out is stressful enough without having to worry about your chamleons.

It all depends on how committed are you in this hobby?
How well researched are you in the chameleon keeping?
and most of all,
How is your financial condition? I can tell you from the start that owning one is not cheap period.

Hope that helps.

 

[Kent67]

Personally, with a user name like slowfoot i think you have an obligation to get another. I'd bet most current chameleon keepers don't even know what that refers to. I'm sure a captive bred panther that you would have for a few months would be ok with a move. They can be pretty resilient, adaptive creatures sometimes, too. I say go for it!

As for your outside cage, have you seen this article? http://www.chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=77 It might be an easy idea that wouldn't take too much work to tear down when and if you move. In a huge cage like that, a single male panther would be in heaven and be capable of finding cooler areas on hot days.

 

[chameleon97]

fill out the form on this page with what you would use, etc. then we know if your REALLY ready. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[sandrachameleon]

Even if you cant have them outdoors wherever you live next, so long as you have a spare room.... Mine are indoors 99% of the time, and they are thriving.

 

[slowfoot]

Thanks for the replies

Can you at least wait until you live somewhat permanently? If you are going to move soon, then imo, it is best to wait.
Moving out is stressful enough without having to worry about your chamleons.

Well, I would wait, but we're not going to be able to live anywhere permanently for at least 6 years - and maybe not even then - just due to our jobs. Meanwhile, I'm getting old and not doing the things I want to do. Maybe that's me being selfish? And maybe I shouldn't have chams again.

It all depends on how committed are you in this hobby?
How well researched are you in the chameleon keeping?
and most of all,
How is your financial condition? I can tell you from the start that owning one is not cheap period.

I'm not planning on becoming a breeder or anything - it's just not for me. I've kept and bred C. calyptratus, C. jacksonii, R. brevicaudatus in the past, and kept C. quadricornis, F. pardalis, and F. lateralis for a number of years, so I have experience with cham keeping. I know they're expensive, and we're pretty secure financially right now.

Kent: all those years of Latin are finally paying off I've seen that page, but I think I might need something more substantial as we have a lot of cats in the neighborhood.

I'll see if I can pass the test:

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?

Indoor cage: screen with a pvc pipe frame and tupperware bottom. I think it's 5'x3'x2', but I haven't measured it. Outdoor cage (not built yet): will probably be 6'x6'x4', wood frame, hardware cloth and screen (to keep out cats)

Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?

Indoors, I would use a Reptisun 5.0 UVB and a regular old bulb for heat in a clamp dome light - don't know the wattage yet because I have no cage set up. In the summer, I'd turn the lights on at 7am and off at 7pm or so.

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? For a panther, I'd do 75F on the cool end and upper 90s in the basking area. Lowest overnight temp? 65F probably. How do you measure these temps? I have a digital probe. Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Don't know yet, but it's pretty humid here

Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes, live - I like ficus and pothos.

Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor? Don't know yet, but we have plenty of space to place a cage.

Location - Where are you geographically located? Florida

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Don't know yet, but I'd probably get an adult or sub-adult male panther.
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? As little as possible.
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Don't know yet, but I've used Dubia in the past. They were fed some commercial roach food that I can't remember the name of, plus collard greens, oranges, and carrots.
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Depends on how often the cham is outside and how old it is. I have RepCal w/ D3 for my other herps.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? When I had chams I either misted by hand if they were inside or used a drip system outside. Depends on the set-up and the cham and the temps/humidity, I guess.

 

[dodolah]

well, if that is the case then.. by all means, if you feel like it, go for it.

 

[Rocky]

I dont think moving in a few years would be that big of a deal. Many people live in areas where they can not keep them outside. It sounds to me like you know what you are doing and have the right idea.

If you are wanting a panther there are probably a few good males on the classifieds here that some of the members have. Also, if you click view all sponsors at the top of the page you can view the sponsors. You may want to purchase from FLChams since you are already in Florida and can probably save a lot on shipping.

Good Luck

 

[Lancecham]

DO IT.
If not, 6 more years without a chameleon
Moving one chameleon is not a big deal.
Are you going to deny yourself in owning one of the most fascinating animals on our planet?

 

[Pure]

I wouldn't let moving in a couple of "yrs" deter me. If it was a couple of months, then yes. But yrs no. Like has been said, moving them isn't that big of a deal. I haven't moved with Chams yet, but I did transport 2 from Miami with no issues. I have moved with fish tanks. Now that is a pita, but still entirely possible. A Cham setup wouldn't be much different.

Why do you think cooler climate Chams are out of the question? With the exception of one or 2 species, most should be OK indoors. Those that won't, could but your energy bill is going to be high (like through the roof) keeping a house in the 60s during the day.

Most have AC here in Florida. I'm sorry if you don't...your summer is going to suck.

You can put them out in the mornings. Up here in Jacksonville the temp in the morning is within a safe zone for most cooler climate Chams until about 11. With the exception of a couple of months in Summer and in winter (8 out of 12 months) most Chams if not all can enjoy some outdoor time.

 

[hallenhe]

Like some others have said, I wouldn't worry about the moving. There are several things over the past years I haven't done because I know I'm going to be moving someday (ideally, from a tenuous to more permanent job situation). That hasn't happened yet (seven years and counting), and I've missed out on some things by waiting for the "perfect" time. You clearly know your chams, and I'd go for it.

 

[PardalisGirl]

My Gosh!

My gosh....you did your "Master's work" on Veileds? And all the species you have kept in the past? Geez, you are the type of person who should have chameleons if I've ever met one. You will be able to move the chameleon when the time comes. It can be done. I had a friend that moved from the East Coast to the West Coast a few years ago. She shipped 40 chams to me from the East coast so I could care for them while she was making the move. A month later I shipped them back to her at her new home after she got set up again. If that can be done, you can move a chameleon or two

 

[GooglezNvincent]

Never let other people decide for you when it is something so monumental as this. I am not joking i am 100% serious, chameleons are addictive, you WILL want another and another. They can be very costly, some people dont feel rewarded because they expect interation like a beardie or a dog but dont get it. It comes down to you, do you have lots of money for the cham, te set up and then more money in case a vet visit is needed? You have been warned, now you choose, want a chameleon?

 

[Chamero]

NO - never

 

[slowfoot]

Thanks for the replies, dudes I've had many chameleons before, so I know how frustrating and rewarding it it. I guess I'll... think about it a little more

 

[chameleon97]

A-
It will be an A+ when you learn supplements.
Repcal w/ d3 twice a month.
Repcal w/o d3 6 times a week
Multivitamin twice a month

 

[laurie]

I can tell you I moved from Southern California to Montana. I moved in November. I did lose 1 cham but that was 11 months after the move. You should have seen the looks I got hauling 7 cages with chameleons into motels the 3 nights we were on the way. yes I moved 7 chams and 2 skipperkee dogs from Mission Viejo, Ca to Havre Montana about 1500 miles. It gets down to -20 on a regular basis here on winter nights. My chams get to go outside for sunshine about 2 or 3 months a year. I have lost 3 chams, 2 egg issues, one egg bound, the other the day after she laid and a rescued male veiled I had for 2 years, after the vet didn't think he would live when I got him. BTW he was one of the chams I moved. And he survived here 11 more good months.

Don't let moving hold you back, go for what will make you happy. I did and have no regrets. Best of luck what ever you decide.

 

[slowfoot]

A-
It will be an A+ when you learn supplements.
Repcal w/o d3 twice a month.
Repcal w/ d3 6 times a week
Multivitamin twice a month

To me, it would totally depend on whether I got an adult or a juvenile, and I've never given both RepCal w/ D3 and without at the same time (depends on whether the animal was an inside or outside cham) and never had a problem with MBD issues, so I think there's more than one right answer

Thanks again for the advice - it's a hard decision to make because it's a big one. My husband is making fun of me for angsting over a 'little lizard'.

 

[Julirs]

A-
It will be an A+ when you learn supplements.
Repcal w/o d3 twice a month.
Repcal w/ d3 6 times a week
Multivitamin twice a month

You reversed the Repcals-the one without D3 should be used more frequently.

 

[chameleon97]

You reversed the Repcals-the one without D3 should be used more frequently.

Oops lol sorry

To me, it would totally depend on whether I got an adult or a juvenile, and I've never given both RepCal w/ D3 and without at the same time (depends on whether the animal was an inside or outside cham) and never had a problem with MBD issues, so I think there's more than one right answer

Too much d3 is bad. If you take your cham outside, use d3 once, maybe never a month.
Use W/O d3 6 times a week. Or your cham might suffer MBD.

UVB gives off D3, so dont use as much if its outside. UVB doesn't give off calcium. So you must use calcium without d3 6 times per week.