thinking about getting a pygmy cham
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JlaPinska
Member
when it comes to chameleons, no matter what species, they are not recommended as a beginner pet. They are very high maintenance, very delicate creatures. Costwise, you're looking to spend hundreds of dollars. I have a veiled and his setup is as basic as it gets and i still paid around $500.
Loistwx
New Member
I agree, Chameleons aren't a beginner pet. My first reptile was a chameleon but I'd spent about 3 years learning, preparing, and asking questions to those I knew had gone through it and I am doing okay.
You have to know what you're getting into and know they are high maintenance and aren't a handling type of pet. Also, make sure you get the chameleon from a repeatable breeder. AVOID wild caught specimens as best you can.
Learn and prepare and decide on what you can afford and how much time you can invest into this reptile.
You have to know what you're getting into and know they are high maintenance and aren't a handling type of pet. Also, make sure you get the chameleon from a repeatable breeder. AVOID wild caught specimens as best you can.
Learn and prepare and decide on what you can afford and how much time you can invest into this reptile.
NHenn
Avid Member
Hey, everyone has to start somewhere. If I was going to recommend a species to start out with it would be a veiled or a panther. Pygmies are great but they are hard to find as captive bred and more than likely the ones you will find are all wild caught which means they are in very poor health and it would be a gift if they will live longer than 2-3 months. I would recommend looking into a larger species like the panthers as they are great to start out with and you can find a ton of very healthy and beautiful animals.
If your heart is stuck on pygmies, the I would recommend looking in R. Brev or Bearded Pygmy as they are fairy common and you might be able to find a nice captive born one.
If your heart is stuck on pygmies, the I would recommend looking in R. Brev or Bearded Pygmy as they are fairy common and you might be able to find a nice captive born one.
LeeroyJenkins
New Member
I started with my Veil that is a female, I researched for about 6 months before taking the jump in to the water. I would suggest doing as much research as possible for the specific type of cham your going to actually get. Even though my cham was my first real reptile, my mom was in to snakes ever since I was a kid and I was involved with them heavily but never wanted one.
In short, a cham is a good first reptile for someone with the time, money and patience to be able to sustain the best possible environment for it.
In short, a cham is a good first reptile for someone with the time, money and patience to be able to sustain the best possible environment for it.
LeeroyJenkins
New Member
Is yours a male? My female was sooooo hand friendly it was ridiculous till about 3 months ago, every time I open her door she bolts for my hand and runs up my shoulder. I know males can be grumpy at times, but I really get mixed opinions about females.
I actually think pygmies are a great first Cham for beginners because of the enclosure they are set up in. I keep mine in an exo terra which make it very easy to regulate temp and humidity. I feel feeding is pretty straight forward because they are so small you really do not have many choices. I personally use crickets and fruit flies and that's it. The last trio I kept was WC and they all lasted over a year and a half. The current trio I have been working with is going on three months and I am having only some foot issues with one. I don't think any chameleon is a good first pet but I do think it is a great jump into chameleon keeping. I agree finding CB pygmies are hard to find but I would not let that shy anyone away. Or maybe I have just been lucky who knows ....I think a good tip is to get them at a show if possible so you can see what your getting.
JlaPinska
Member
Yes mine is a male. I got him when he was about 8 months old he had never been outside, never been handled, and seems like he wasn't fed right because he eats like a monster even when he's shedding. I did use food to get him use to hand feeding and it just went from there.
