Wanting to start keeping Chameleons

[polo93]

Hey guys so I want to get a chameleon. I have no experience with them though so I am thinking that a veiled is what I want. I was wondering though, do all veiled chameleons get colorful once they are older? I love the ones that are brightly colored and not just green.

Also I have been searching various care sheets and what not, but there is a lot of different information out there, so I am not sure what is the correct information. If anyone could link me to a good care sheet that covers all of what a beginner needs I would be very thankful!

Oh and do dubia roaches make for a good staple for these guys? If so do you need to dust them or anything? Thanks again guys!!

 

[PREACHAP]

there is mountains of truthful care tips and such on this site, there is also a simple care sheet for chams from sites like http://flchams.com

that actually has a basic care sheet for chameleonshttp://flchams.com/general_chameleon_care.asp

most care will not differ to far from different species of chams, but it is said and thought that veileds are somewhat the easier ones to care for

but if you are completely new to even caring for reptiles, much less lizards, much less chameleons then you should do extra homework to be sure your prepared to care for this animal that will be depending solely on you. enjoy

 

[pssh]

Males will have stripes and generally have more color than females. Some can be very blue, orange, or yellow, but green is a standard color with veileds. Females have nice yellow spots and blue spots when they are receptive too. When they are gravid, the females will turn black and yellow.

 

[Chameleonmaster]

welcome to the forums
you can use dubias as a main food but you should vary the diet every once in awhile because human wouldn't really want to eat the same thing everyday its the same with them.

 

[reptilover]

there is mountains of truthful care tips and such on this site, there is also a simple care sheet for chams from sites like http://flchams.com

that actually has a basic care sheet for chameleonshttp://flchams.com/general_chameleon_care.asp

most care will not differ to far from different species of chams, but it is said and thought that veileds are somewhat the easier ones to care for

but if you are completely new to even caring for reptiles, much less lizards, much less chameleons then you should do extra homework to be sure your prepared to care for this animal that will be depending solely on you. enjoy

well i have a veiled and love him to death! the care between different species of chams DOES differ sometimes greatly so make sure you do plenty of research on which speices u choose prior to getting it. some grow larger and require more housing some require different heat and humidity levels as well as denisity of terrain within there enclouser should be adjusted accordingly to where there from..

veileds and panthers are not EASIER to care for they are more common and known to be a little more hardier. all chams require extensive EXPENSIVE care. between vet bills food supplements lighting houseing plants little hardware you will need for hanging placing various things add up quickly..

like i said do your home work i think MALE veileds are great starters i definatly love them make sure you lean torwards male CAPTIVE BRED. on any species you do not want to deal with egg laying nore the medical catastrify that is wild caught.

 

[polo93]

Ok thanks guys. I have kept other reptiles before so I do have experience with them, just not chameleons. It will be a long time before I get one because I want to do a lot of research. I saw on the website that is in a sticky on here that at night the cage should cool to around 65*f. Besides adjusting the a/c what are ways you would suggest to do this?

 

[PREACHAP]

catastrify

catastrophe I got your back like a hemorrhroid

 

[PREACHAP]

Ok thanks guys. I have kept other reptiles before so I do have experience with them, just not chameleons. It will be a long time before I get one because I want to do a lot of research. I saw on the website that is in a sticky on here that at night the cage should cool to around 65*f. Besides adjusting the a/c what are ways you would suggest to do this?

lights off earlier for cooling, spraying your cham causes a temp drop to. so subtle changes add up for cooler temps when needed

 

[reptilover]

catastrophe I got your back like a hemorrhroid

i appreciate it. im on a comp for once... miss my androids auto correct


as far as the OP's question about night time temperatures.. it doesnt need to be at a strict 65. just not below 50. where do you live? you can always leave a window cracked by him. or yes adjust the a/c. they need the night time cool time to fully shut down and be able to fall into a deep sleep to fully recharge there batteries so to speak.. i live in washington so ive only ever had the opposite problem lol.

 

[reptilover]

lights off earlier for cooling, spraying your cham causes a temp drop to. so subtle changes add up for cooler temps when needed

you dont want to mist at night though thats beggin for a upper respritory infection got your back brudda.

inbetween mistings always allow the cage to dry and let it dry at night to avoid mold fungus and URI (upper respritory infectoin). and trust me heat lights in a screen cage it dries fast. i administer my last misting 1 hr before lights out then i wipe the bottom of the cage and clean any fecal from the day so tomorrow will be nice and fresh!!

 

[PREACHAP]

i appreciate it. im on a comp for once... miss my androids auto correct

welcome to the real world. we can't all be richies with androids,
JK lol

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum I always recommend this caresheet for people with (or thinking of getting) Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html All male Veileds will get stripey at least, some more colourful than others of course. Good feeding and some sun time if you have the climate will help keep him looking bright
Dubia roaches are good, but variety of feeders is needed. A variety of gutloading too. You will want to dust nearly all staple feeders, but can miss out on the occasional 'treat' ones.....
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html