So Im thinking of getting a veiled chameleon and but I've never had a reptile before. But I have had a lot of experiences with turtles and tortoises through school. I've done my research and know what I need. Does anyone know about how much work goes into owning one? And will they eat dead crickets or do you have to have live ones? I've always wanted a chameleon! They are so much my favorite
Thinking of getting a veiled chameleon
- Thread starter Nico123
- Start date
Wowbango
Established Member
Chameleons are not an easy pet to keep. They require a lot of maintenance and constant upkeep. Also, keep in mind that most, not all will lot tolerate handling and is primarily a pet for viewing purposes. There are care sheets on this website hat goes over requirements for keeping one. PLEASE do all your research before deciding to get one! As an insectivore, they require live bugs to be fed. They will not eat dead or canned ones.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Welcome to the forums. This is a great place to learn about chameleons. As said above they are a high maintenance pet and fairly expensive to keep. I keep veileds and have a care sheet for all that you would need to get started. This way of keeping has worked well for me over the years.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
jajeanpierre
Chameleon Enthusiast
I haven't found the chameleons themselves take a lot of work. It's the things like the different bug collections that need to be fed and cared for that add up to a lot of work.
MamatoElvis
Member
Amen, bugs are what grab all my time.
MSMorgan
Avid Member
Please do more research. They're more labor intensive than you've looked into. Live "bugs" only. You've come to the right place to do your research, but I urge you to do more before taking one of these majestic creatures home with you. You'll see lots of threads on animal husbandry and health issues. Read, read and read some more. When you're ready, read again and ask away BEFORE you bring a little prince or princess home with you. For the most part, the senior members will give you your best bang for your buck, but everyone is looking for the best possible outcome. We all want to see you succeed.
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Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would also say... How much money do you have? You'll need anywhere from $300 to $500 to get all the supplies, plus $$ for the cham, plus constant money for insects which shipping is expensive if you can't get anything besides crickets locally, plus a few hundred for a vet budget because at some point you WILL need a vet.... It goes on and on.
Chameleons are amazing, but they are expensive pets. That's why people call it a "hobby".
Chameleons are amazing, but they are expensive pets. That's why people call it a "hobby".
ncf
New Member
I can't really say that my mate Apollo is too much hard work, honestly! But then again, I've invested a lot into a nice cage, misting system, timers, and other things that make the upkeep almost automatic.
I do have to say that I check everything up every single time I get back home, but that takes about 20 seconds each time: Look at the feeding cup to see if he's eating, look for poop to clean (and check for white urates), look for the water level in the misting system reservoir to see if it needs filling up and look at the humidity and temps in the viv to see if everything's okay. If something's out of order, I just correct it.
Every morning I put some mixed feeders dusted with what's on that day (I have a calendar next to the suplements saying which one should be used that day).
Every 2-3 days check the bugs for dead ones and change their food/water so that it doesn't rot. which takes about 10 mins...
I buy crickets in bulk (200-300 at a time) and order 2 cups of different feeders (dubias, wax worms, tiny superworms, mealworms, and some random bugs that might show up at the website I use).
After that, it's just really enjoying him interacting with the environment (and sometimes with you). It really is amazing watching them eat. My chameleon enjoys having his cage door open when I'm home and comes to the top of it so he can bask a bit in the sunlight coming from my window.
Honestly I have to say that they're a lot less work than for example a dog (if you live in an apartment) as you don't need to walk it X times a day... and I enjoy the fact that they aren't always nagging you for food/affection, but then again, my chameleon lets me handle him whenever I want and enjoys roaming around the plants in the living room/balcony.
But if you do decide to get one, follow what the senior members here say, as their knowledge really does wonders.
Especially Jannb if you're going veiled (they are awesome). She really saved my chameleon more than once whenever I asked around here
I do have to say that I check everything up every single time I get back home, but that takes about 20 seconds each time: Look at the feeding cup to see if he's eating, look for poop to clean (and check for white urates), look for the water level in the misting system reservoir to see if it needs filling up and look at the humidity and temps in the viv to see if everything's okay. If something's out of order, I just correct it.
Every morning I put some mixed feeders dusted with what's on that day (I have a calendar next to the suplements saying which one should be used that day).
Every 2-3 days check the bugs for dead ones and change their food/water so that it doesn't rot. which takes about 10 mins...
I buy crickets in bulk (200-300 at a time) and order 2 cups of different feeders (dubias, wax worms, tiny superworms, mealworms, and some random bugs that might show up at the website I use).
After that, it's just really enjoying him interacting with the environment (and sometimes with you). It really is amazing watching them eat. My chameleon enjoys having his cage door open when I'm home and comes to the top of it so he can bask a bit in the sunlight coming from my window.
Honestly I have to say that they're a lot less work than for example a dog (if you live in an apartment) as you don't need to walk it X times a day... and I enjoy the fact that they aren't always nagging you for food/affection, but then again, my chameleon lets me handle him whenever I want and enjoys roaming around the plants in the living room/balcony.
But if you do decide to get one, follow what the senior members here say, as their knowledge really does wonders.
Especially Jannb if you're going veiled (they are awesome). She really saved my chameleon more than once whenever I asked around here 
JoCarp
Established Member
I can't really say that my mate Apollo is too much hard work, honestly! But then again, I've invested a lot into a nice cage, misting system, timers, and other things that make the upkeep almost automatic.
I do have to say that I check everything up every single time I get back home, but that takes about 20 seconds each time: Look at the feeding cup to see if he's eating, look for poop to clean (and check for white urates), look for the water level in the misting system reservoir to see if it needs filling up and look at the humidity and temps in the viv to see if everything's okay. If something's out of order, I just correct it.
Every morning I put some mixed feeders dusted with what's on that day (I have a calendar next to the suplements saying which one should be used that day).
Every 2-3 days check the bugs for dead ones and change their food/water so that it doesn't rot. which takes about 10 mins...
I buy crickets in bulk (200-300 at a time) and order 2 cups of different feeders (dubias, wax worms, tiny superworms, mealworms, and some random bugs that might show up at the website I use).
After that, it's just really enjoying him interacting with the environment (and sometimes with you). It really is amazing watching them eat. My chameleon enjoys having his cage door open when I'm home and comes to the top of it so he can bask a bit in the sunlight coming from my window.
Honestly I have to say that they're a lot less work than for example a dog (if you live in an apartment) as you don't need to walk it X times a day... and I enjoy the fact that they aren't always nagging you for food/affection, but then again, my chameleon lets me handle him whenever I want and enjoys roaming around the plants in the living room/balcony.
But if you do decide to get one, follow what the senior members here say, as their knowledge really does wonders.
I agree with this, I am set up very similarly. Once your setup is going (automation like mist systems and times for lights is well worth the money) you can check it (frequently) but it doesn't take long to make minor adjustments. I will say, I don't know that it's easier or harder than a dog just different types of effort. While the chameleon itself will require less direct attention, you will have to put your time into the husbandry as NCF described. These are great pets, but it definitely takes effort and work to provide a good life for them. Last thing, everyone is correct on the reading. Read, read and read more! Read everything you can on veileds or whatever you decide to go with, even if you don't think you will see a similar issue. I can't tell you how many times I've remembered a thread once encountering an issue and been able to find advice easily thanks to this and other literature I read prior to getting my Merlin. That said, if you're willing to put in the effort, they are well worth it.
