Soon-to-be chameleon owner...checklist

[gman]

I am fairly new to pet ownership and have been researching getting a chameleon for some time now. I've begun setting up my habitat and just want to be sure there's nothing I am forgetting or anything else that I need to take into consideration. I also have the basking light on the top of the cage and was wondering how far away from the top/basking light should the perch where cham will be be placed?

I have:

18 × 18 × 36 screen cage
20" light fixture
18" Reptisun 5.0 UVB 15 watts T8
Large waterproof jungle vine
Zoo med mini combo deep dome dual light fixture
Misc twigs/branches
Plastic plant vine
4" croton plant
Reptivite with d3
Calcium
Spray bottle
Thermometers
Hydrometer
Little dripper

I'll be getting food I guess closer to when Im completely set up and about to get the chameleon.

Is there anything that I am missing? Any suggestions? Any newbie tips or dos and donts? Thoughts on the dual light fixture type/brand?

Also, I live in Chicago so any tips or suggestions regarding temperature/climate control is appreciated.

 

[xraygirl]

I am fairly new to pet ownership and have been researching getting a chameleon for some time now. I've begun setting up my habitat and just want to be sure there's nothing I am forgetting or anything else that I need to take into consideration.

I have:

18 × 18 × 36 screen cage
20" light fixture
18" tropical 25 UVB bulb
Large waterproof jungle vine
Zoo med mini combo deep dome dual light fixture
Misc twigs/branches
Plastic plant vine
4" croton plant
Reptivite with d3
Spray bottle
Thermometers
Hydrometer
Little dripper

I'll be getting food I guess closer to when Im completely set up and about to get the chameleon.

Is there anything that I am missing? Any suggestions? Any newbie tips or dos and donts? Thoughts on the dual light fixture type/brand?

Also, I live in Chicago so any tips or suggestions regarding temperature/climate control is appreciated.

What kind of chameleon are you looking at getting? What age?

You need to get some plain no D3 calcium powder as well as a no D3 multivitamin. And I have the 18x18x36 cage and wished now I had gone ahead and gotten the 24x24x48 cage.

Make your life easier by getting an automated misted/dripper. Like a mist king, or an aquazamp rain dome. Avoid the habba mister and the other models at the stores. Also get a regular timer for your lights too.

What UVB % is the bulb? What is the brand?

Basking bulb: most folks use a household bulb, a 60 watt usually will do the trick, but you'll have to play around with some to get the right basking temperatures. If you have the tube UVB and fixture there's no need for the dual light fixture, you just need a fixture for a basking bulb.

I'm not sure if croton is a safe plant, I've looked at a few lists and haven't seen it listed. Someone else will come by and say if it is or isn't.

 

[ir0k]

Ya u can find some totally rad umbrella plants for cheap, mistkings are great but run around 100 bucks. Good luck with ur new cham

 

[symphonica]

Pretty much what xraygirl said.

You'll need plain calcium (no D3) every day, D3 twice a month, and vitamins once a week to every two weeks.

The bigger the cage, the better. 2' x 2' x 4' would be a better size.

What is the UVB output? This should be numbers like 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, or a percentage like 6%, 12%. Tube bulbs are better than coiled bulbs.

For thermometer and hydrometer, the circular, spinny things with the needle are not very accurate and can get stuck. Digital works better, and temperature guns are even better.

An automatic mister and timers would be helpful, but not a necessity. Just make sure the humidity is high enough and they have a regular, lighting schedule. Their lights should be on for 12 hours a day, on and off at the same time every day.

 

[symphonica]

Basking bulb: most folks use a household bulb, a 60 watt usually will do the trick, but you'll have to play around with some to get the right basking temperatures. If you have the tube UVB and fixture there's no need for the dual light fixture, you just need a fixture for a basking bulb.

I like the $10 silver, clamp light domes that they sell at hardware stores. These are aluminum so they also don't get very hot. The black, dual fixtures tend to absorb a lot of heat and become very hot to the touch.

 

[xraygirl]

I like the $10 silver, clamp light domes that they sell at hardware stores. These are aluminum so they also don't get very hot. The black, dual fixtures tend to absorb a lot of heat and become very hot to the touch.

Yesssssssss..... Those deep domes are some expensive suckers!

 

[xraygirl]

Ya u can find some totally rad umbrella plants for cheap, mistkings are great but run around 100 bucks. Good luck with ur new cham

The habba misters and repti rains are around that price in some stores, and they are notorious for breaking.

 

[symphonica]

Yesssssssss..... Those deep domes are some expensive suckers!

Tell me about it - just because they slap stickers on them that say they're for reptiles, they get twice the money...