Which should I choose?

G

Gewehr

New Member
I hope you guys don't mind me asking, but what type of chameleon should I choose to get? I like all of the following for different reasons, and I can't seem to choose one that really is heads and shoulders above the rest to me. The ones I'm considering are:
A Meller's
A Graceful
An Oustalets
or a Veiled.

Any help would be appreciated. Since I am a Chameleon beginner (but experienced with other reptiles) That may play a role. I also am able to provide any special caging (i.e. Larger for the Oustalets and Mellers)
Thanks.
 
I have a veiled. SOME Veiled chameleons consume veggies/plants. So you have to provide non toxic plants and greens. If you choose these you need to atleast have a lid somewhere high in the cage with cut up greens like collard, mustard, and kale. My veiled loves his greens. He eats them all.;)

My veiled chameleon is a male and I suggest you get a male if you don't want to deal with the eggs and possible death of egg binding. :p
I'll let the others give u advice, I am fairly new but not really. I have owned alot of reptiles and speacilize in all my animals :D I have only had this one chameleon.

Once you choose something I would highly recommened posting a new thread on asking how to care for your choice and what you need. Without knowing which type, I am not sure many of these people can tell you what you need without the right breed of chameleon atm. And if you think you know everything I would still post new thread on your final choice. :D Once you actually buy the chameleon and stuff. You should repost and see if your doing something wrong.(with pictures! if possible) Also fill out the info sheet on your chameleon once you bought one. At bottom of this post.

Also you should go to your "about me" section on your profile and put in your location. That will really help everyone tell you more about your chameleon. (you can see my location in the upper right corner of this post I made)



Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?
 
I would rule out anything that is wild caught. Only buy captive bred and hatched as your first so you don't have to worry about them aclimating. If you can provide the space and research a LOT before you buy one, I think you could probably take care of any of them(CB of course.) That being said, a veiled chameleon leaves a bit of room for errors as they are more hardy than most chameleons (not all eat veggies by the way.) I suggest a male as a first time Cham, though it isn't too much harder to have a female as long as you research.


Veileds are also one of my favorites, so I choose male Veiled.
 
Gewehr said:
I hope you guys don't mind me asking, but what type of chameleon should I choose to get? I like all of the following for different reasons, and I can't seem to choose one that really is heads and shoulders above the rest to me. The ones I'm considering are:
A Meller's
A Graceful
An Oustalets
or a Veiled.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd recommend Meller's for a newbie. They are less tolerant of mistakes and need really large spaces that provide the right humidity and temp cycles. Need LOTS of water and a variety of large feeders. Doing that for the first time would be hard and until you know if you are going to enjoy all the work, I'd pass. If you think you are going to want more than one cham I would choose a smaller species though. Gracefuls will almost certainly be wc and they tend to not be well treated by wholesalers (relatively cheap, poor things and tend to be bought by clueless petshops. Too bad, they are nice looking). Oustalets are showing up more as cb, but most you find are probably still wc. Veileds are probably the best well known in terms of husbandry/requirements. Lots of experienced keepers and breeders around too. However, there are also poorly bred bloodlines and improperly reared babies around too. Anyone that wants to sell you a hatchling under 3 months of age should be avoided. You might also look at F. verrucosus. Very similar to Oustaleti but tend to be longer rather than bigger. Very underrated cham IMHO.
 
I would say get a veiled chameleon for your first one (there will be more later :) ). Veileds are a bit easier for the new chameleon keeper. Also ready the info on the website below. It will get you well started.

raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com
 
For a new Chameleon keeper I would strongly suggest a male Veiled. They are all around a great first cham, very tolerant, fun to watch, extremely colorful. Gracefuls are often WC and difficult, Mellers are not a beginner cham, and as much as I love my Oustalets, they are pretty boring. :)
 
Gewehr said:
I hope you guys don't mind me asking, but what type of chameleon should I choose to get? ......Since I am a Chameleon beginner
Click to expand...

Veileds are frequently recommended as a first timer chameleon. Slightly more hardy than the rest. And just as importantly You'll find there is far more information available on veileds, so you need not learn through mistakes but rather from the wisdom of all the many veiled owners past and present.
 
Of all the mentioned chams, I have only had a veiled...but I will tell you what, he was one of my most cherished pets I had. He loved hanging out on a branch hung in front of my window, and he would turn the most vibrant yellow and green!...and when I would hold him, he would lean into me and fall asleep in my hand. He had so much personaliaty. Izzy was AWESOME!!! good luck with your decision!
 
I agree, a male veiled is your best bet for a newbie. Try to purchase a cb one that is WELL started. Muellers, not for a newbie, Oustalet is pretty large as well and hard to find as c/b. But before you decide i would do a little more research into it so that when you do decide you will have a good sound knowledge of what you are in for. And WATCH out!!! Chams are ADDICTIVE....and like potato chips.. you can't have just ONE...LOL
 
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