I was gone for one day and this happened! One thing I read the most were people saying that if you are worried about the cost you shouldn't get one. I am saying that I don't want to start off with a panther considering You can buy a veiled for around $100 total and use the money you would have spent on the panther to better supply your first cage. Believe me, I have done extensive search on several species (mostly Veiled) and I just wanted any feedback on any of the chameleons. I am not afraid of being to pay for it at all. To start with I plan to save about $800-$1000 along with saving up after that. On a side note, I don't want to offend anyone, but I find the people who have posted thousands of posts more reputable than the people with tens of posts. Thanks to everyone for the feedback, and please keep it coming!
There are several reasons purchase cost shouldn't be a huge contributing factor, especially when the price difference is under 200 dollars.
Most importantly of these reasons you're going to be responsible for this chameleon for 4 to 7 years, it better be an animal you're going to love spending countless hours caring for. If you know you're going to love a Nosey Faly Panther above all else you would be best served to wait until you can afford it. If Veileds really get you excited get one of those. If your like me and Senegals are your absolute favorite find a cbb and snap it up. The point being get what you love.
Secondly is that a good set up is expensive and there isn't a lot of room for comprises. A bare bones set up will be at least 200 dollars for the cage and lighting hygrometer, thermometer, and some plants. If you can't be present to hand mist a few times a day add another 150 for a mister and timer.
Now you have feeding and maintenance. If your not culturing your own insects plan to pay at least 30 a month to provide a proper insect variety. Store bought gut loads and or home made plus vitamins and calcium should run about 50 - 100 depending on selection and need to be replenished when out. I figure about 100 a year. None of this includes possible electricity or water usage bills. Finally, a responsible pet owner will bring their pet in for an annual vet exam. It is important to have decals done at least annually to be sure you catch any parasites. Parasites can and do show up in healthy captive animals, they can come from feeders, the environment, etc. And don't forget, you need 2 uvb bulbs a year at 20 each.
Then there is emergency vet bills. Maybe this will never be needed but I like to keep 1,000 dollars available for vet expenses in general.
So all in all you will need to spend between 200 and 400 on aset up, 500 to 600 a year (could be much more) plus any possible vet emergency. Looking at this it makes little to no sense to quibble over a few hundred dollar purchase price difference to not get exactly what you want.
If you need the difference in purchase price to supply your first cage I advise to just wait until you have more money.
I have seen too many dead chameleons because people thought they could wait on something like a uvb light, or proper temp control.
Whatever you choose remember this hobby punishes impatience more than most.
