Some general questions

[Video Master]

Hello everyone,

I have been lurking around here for a little bit now and think that this forum is great. There is a lot of knowledge between everyone that is on here and I have learned a great deal from reading many of the posts and care guides that are around here. I have started to purchase items for my future chameleon that my fiance and I want to get. I am thinking the July/August time frame for actually getting the chameleon itself as that will give plenty of time to make sure I have the entire habitat all setup and ready to go. We are even going to make sure that the plants are doing well for about a month before we bring the new member into our family. We are looking at getting a panther chameleon. Still undecided what type of panther yet as they are all so beautiful.

The biggest question I have is, if we are looking at the July/August time frame, when should I start talking to the breeder that I want to work with? Also, what do you think is the best age of the chameleon to bring them into our family? I have not found real solid answers for those yet.

Another question I have is about misting and drinking. I have seen many different answers and want to know if there is a consensus of what is best. Some say that you should mist and also use a drip, others say that you should only do the mist. Do you suggest both of just the mist? We are going to be getting the MistKing starter setup with the ZipDrip. The cage is a 2' x 2' x 4' and it will have all living plants except for some of the pathway branches.

Sorry, I know these are noob questions, but I want to make sure that all my research is done before we get the chameleon.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Decadancin]

Talk to the breeder as soon as possible! You may have to go on a different schedule if the chameleon is ready sooner, or if the eggs haven't hatched yet. This will help you get ready. As for misting, I do not use a dripper, but I have a veiled. As long as you have adequate drainage, I would suggest a dripper, or at least longer or more misting sessions. There is no one right answer to that, but with the right setup (drainage and humidity), more is better.

The MistKing is awesome!

 

[AngieL]

Hello and welcome to the forums this is a great place to get answers from people who care about chameleons so ask anything you like! I'm proud of you for researching and setting up before you get a little one, kudos!

To answer your questions

You shouldn't purchase a chameleon any younger than 4 months old. These little creatures are super fragile when they're babies and will easily die are taken away too young. You will want to know if he/she can eat poop and shed well before you buy and you will want your chameleon to be active, have both eyes open and have straight bones. Veiled and panther chameleons are a good choice for beginners (I have a veiled )

Chameleons like to drink in different ways so its a good idea to have a dripper going most of the day as well as regular mistings. Desired humidity will depend on what species you get but drainage is a must for any indoor enclosure IMO.

I know you've read care sheets etc. but you should check out the forums brand spanky new care guide if you haven't already!

Good luck and please keep us updated on your progress!

 

[AngieL]

Here's a link to drainage ideas https://www.chameleonforums.com/drainage-systems-cages-get-creative-102038/

 

[Carlton]

Hello everyone,

I have been lurking around here for a little bit now and think that this forum is great. There is a lot of knowledge between everyone that is on here and I have learned a great deal from reading many of the posts and care guides that are around here. I have started to purchase items for my future chameleon that my fiance and I want to get. I am thinking the July/August time frame for actually getting the chameleon itself as that will give plenty of time to make sure I have the entire habitat all setup and ready to go. We are even going to make sure that the plants are doing well for about a month before we bring the new member into our family. We are looking at getting a panther chameleon. Still undecided what type of panther yet as they are all so beautiful.

The biggest question I have is, if we are looking at the July/August time frame, when should I start talking to the breeder that I want to work with? Also, what do you think is the best age of the chameleon to bring them into our family? I have not found real solid answers for those yet.

Another question I have is about misting and drinking. I have seen many different answers and want to know if there is a consensus of what is best. Some say that you should mist and also use a drip, others say that you should only do the mist. Do you suggest both of just the mist? We are going to be getting the MistKing starter setup with the ZipDrip. The cage is a 2' x 2' x 4' and it will have all living plants except for some of the pathway branches.

Sorry, I know these are noob questions, but I want to make sure that all my research is done before we get the chameleon.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

You are doing exactly what we wish every newbie did! Well, the reason you read different answers is because...(wait for it)...there are different answers! Everyone's particular situation in their house is a little different. Some people don't have time to do as much hand misting as they'd like, they work long days or travel, or their home humidity is just too low to get by with a dripper and a spritzing. So for them an auto mister is the answer. For someone living in a pretty humid place a dripper and a misting once or twice a day is perfect. Whether you run an AC in summer, a forced air furnace in winter, the size of the room, etc all factor in. And, what works best in summer could change in winter. Plus, some chams decide to favor drippers, hate direct misting, learn to drink from syringes, never learn to use drippers, all sorts of variation.

If, as you plan, you want to set up your enclosure early you will have the chance to do some trials with humidity. Get the plants set up with the lighting and basking area and try hand spraying first. That will tell you a lot about how humid your cage will stay over time and you can tweak the duration, frequency, add foliage, plastic sheeting on a cage side or two, etc. When you get your cham ask the breeder if he exposes his babies to drippers or not. They don't necessarily automatically start using them.

 

[Video Master]

These are great replies so far, please keep them coming. I am glad to hear that you all like the way I am approaching this. Running the tests is what I am planning on doing.

I plan to have 3 Digital Thermometers, and also 1 Digital Hygrometer. The Hygrometer is going to be about mid cage. The Thermometers will be at the bottom, middle, and the basking spot. That way I have readings at all level of the cage so I can monitor them. That is unless I get real fancy which I probably will and get ones that are all connected to one of my servers which will digitally monitor and log all the temps at the intervals that I specify. If the temps drop or raise too much they will actually send alerts out via email to me and report the change.

Yes, I am a huge computer geek so this is the way I am leaning. I also have a networked webcam which I already own that will be pointed at the cage so at any time I can pull up the webcam anywhere that I have internet and look at the camera. You can call it my Cham-Cam.

ok, enough geeking out for now. Time go head home and read the forum some more.

 

[Decadancin]

Might as well be "ultra geek" and have two hygrometers. (I do) This will allow you to be sure your levels are accurate. The readings can sometimes be off (moisture buildup, etc.) and having another gauge will give you some piece of mind.