What do I need to know?

[Clarke221]

I got my first chameleon a couple months ago, a panther, and he is doing wonderful. As many of you warned me, they are addicting. My panther has adjusted very well, and is growing well. So I was thinking I might be ready for another. I love the carpets, but don't know much about them. I did do a search of the forums but didn't find much, the links to articles seem to have expired or are not working. What should I know before adding a male carpet to my collection? Any warnings or things I should watch out for? I have an 18x18x36 cage now, and was planning on moving my Panther to a bigger cage and using the current one for the Carpet, is that too big? I've noticed a lot of people seem to put them in shorter cages. Also, WC or CB? Any warnings there? I don't plan on breeding, just a pet to enjoy.

All advice is greatly appriciated!

 

[mlw50]

Keep in mind that in nature, chameleon's have an enclosure of essentially infinite size. So the cage you have should be fine. There is a member on these forums, Dooley1, who has had more success than most with Carpets. You may want to PM him and pick his brain a bit.

Edit: Definitely go with a CBB if you can find one.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

..just a pet to enjoy?? youre a spoiled brat who thinks chameleons are just for your attractive eye! no just kidding man lol, hope you can find a cb carpet, they are absolutely gorgeous and a 36 tall should be more than fine

 

[Matt1851]

i always kinda thought that if you got a CB chameleon and raised it in a terrarium thats how it would know to live, i would never be able to keep a WC chameleon in a terrarium id feel like i was putting it in jail then again even if you get a CB and rais it in a terrarium you never know what the cham feels about it :\ i still think about it to this day lol

 

[justjumpit621]

i always kinda thought that if you got a CB chameleon and raised it in a terrarium thats how it would know to live, i would never be able to keep a WC chameleon in a terrarium id feel like i was putting it in jail then again even if you get a CB and rais it in a terrarium you never know what the cham feels about it :\ i still think about it to this day lol

Than free range

 

[warpdrive]

Congrats on getting the sickness!!!
Please understand that there is no known cure.
Getting a male or a more colorful female carpet will only make it worse.
Just do what I have and just give in to your addiction when ever it gets real bad.
Why fight it? Just buy a carpet when you get the chance, and don't forget to post some photos.

Harry

 

[Clarke221]

LOL, thank you all for your input. I might admit to being spoiled, only because my husband puts up with my animal addictions, even though he has no interest what so ever in chamelons. We also have quite a few dogs, but he is interested in them. Moving on though, I agree on the WC, I really don't think it's right to make an animal adapt to being in such a small place compared to what it is used to. I just seem to have a taste in rare, hard to find things. It seems fairly hard to find a CB Carpet. I'm also interested in the Oustalet's, but they seem to be even harder to find CB. Ugh. Back to my search.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Where in Texas are you located? I just got a pair of cb carpets from Dooley1/Kevin about a month ago. What do you want to know? Im not an expert on this species but I will try to answer any questions you may have.
Btw, I think a 36" tall is fine for an adult male. But to be honest they do really well in the 16 x 30" screen cages. They are really shy and they need a densely planted enclosure. As for temps my ambient temps are around 75 and their basking temps between 81 -83. Depending on time of day. My female rarely gets right under her basking light as opposed to my male who will sit out in the open and bask most of the day.

 

[Clarke221]

I'm in the Austin area, so not too far away. Seems like no one in Texas is into chams...not sure why. Was very disappointed when I went to the Austin reptile expo and didn't see a single one. Anyway, your info really helps me out, a lot. I wanted a male at first, but am now contemplating the females, I didn't realize they were the more colorful of the two. As I said, also now thinking about an oustalet's. My husband seems to think they're a little more interesting too because of their size, but I still love the little carpets. Decisions... When I decide which way I am going to go, I will let you know, Texas, and pick your brain a little more. Thanks so much for your info! Any thought on the carpet vs the oustalet's?

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I really love all the furcifer species. But the pardalis/panthers are my faves. I am really starting to enjoy my carpets though. Ive never kept an oustalet before so I have no prior experience with that species. Ive kept the usual veiled's, panthers, jacksonns and now the carpets. To be honst one of the most personable chams Ive had was my jacksons he was a character and I may have to get one again some day. As for the ousties, I know they are large as adults so you may want to consider that. They are going to need a fairly large cage and large feeders also. Of course if your like me youve got plenty of adult dubia that they would prob relish. Good luck and I dont think you can make a wrong decison no matter what you choose.

 

[ShaunaLynnA]

Congrats on getting the sickness!!!
Please understand that there is no known cure.
Getting a male or a more colorful female carpet will only make it worse.
Just do what I have and just give in to your addiction when ever it gets real bad.
Why fight it? Just buy a carpet when you get the chance, and don't forget to post some photos.

Harry

I agree