Young Cham vs. older cham

[jwbenjamin1001]

So... I am new to this forum and have many questions to ask. I have had many reptiles from snakes to bearded dragons to chameleons. I believe i have a generally good idea how to care for animals especially of the reptile kind. My question is this. Is it better to start off with a young baby cham or a more "established" older cham. I will be moving into a house in the near future and want to build my own cage and i know that young chams get lost in bigger enclosures that are more suitable for adults. Just need opinions. Also does anyone have any good cage measurements for an adult cham (if i go that way). Also, one last question is anyone know of any reputable breeders or anyhting to get a cham. I live in washington so anything washington based would be awesome. Thanks for your time and i hope to get many responses

 

[Bstape]

Welcome,
as far as young vs. old, a younger chameleon will be with you longer and therefore have more time in his life to "get used to you". That being said some chameleons will always have a bad attitude towards you putting your hands in the cage, male veileds seem particularly territorial. I haven't had any problems with my jouvi female veiled, she doesn't hiss or flare up when I clean the cage or take her outside.

Cage measurements: Fem Adult - 18x18x36 Male Adult - 24x24x48

Babies - it really varies, before 4 mo. many people put them in glass enclosures with screen tops, I'd say from 12x12x18 to 16x16x30 depending on age. After 4 months I'm sure they'd be fine in an adults cage, just monitor their feeding to make sure they are finding their food.

 

[BocaJan]

It is best as a first timer to get a cham that has shown it is healthy. 4-5 months would be great. If you get a male veiled you could go ahead and put him in his big boy cage right away. They really like the 24x24x48 ones and you can put lots of plants in there. If you are worried it won't find food you could cup feed it, however males like to roam around and find their food. Crickets tend to go to the top and hang out in the corners anyway so he will have no trouble finding food.

 

[jwbenjamin1001]

Opinions

Anyone else have any opinions? What about good reputable cham dealers/breeders? I know LLL has some. I was also on kingsnake and saw a whole bunch. Hopefully someone has some more insight

 

[Miss Lily]

I got Lily when she was 6 months old. I could have got a baby cham but felt it rather a daunting prospect as they grow so fast and its so important to get things like supplements just right when they are so tiny. I fell in love with Lily when I saw her anyway, and decided to go with her rather than get a baby as my first cham.

 

[jojackson]

Welcome. I know youll get a big buzz from keeping a Cham, I do.
I started with a baby (3 weeks male) [more of nessesity than choice] but given the choice I still would have chosen young, even a few months is a big chunk of a chams too short lifespan. Over the years Ive had so much pleasure from raising baby reptiles of many species and find, watching them grow and develope and learning as you go, very fulfilling.
A bonus is that you dont inherit any problems from previous owners husbandry, and yes, even a few months of poor husbandry can do untold damage (ask about MBD) for example.

That said , its up to you how confident you feel about caring for a baby cham.
Ive said before and will again, if your willing to learn what is needed, A baby cham is no harder to care for than an older one, or any reptile.
if you have no idea at all, it wont matter how old the critter is, the result will be the same.

You have experience caring for reptiles so you are a step ahead to begin with, Simply educate yourself about the specific needs of the species you want to keep and go boldly, as Kirk says!

Have fun.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I agree a first time chameleon that is a sub-adult or young adult, rather than a baby, is the way to go. Something 5+ months

 

[jannb]

Anyone else have any opinions? What about good reputable cham dealers/breeders? I know LLL has some. I was also on kingsnake and saw a whole bunch. Hopefully someone has some more insight

Check the classfieds here and buy from one of our members. Jann

 

[ciafardo 4]

how about pam at pams chams isn't she in washington, i ve heard she has really nice bloodlines in panthers

 

[ciafardo 4]

CHAMELEONS NORTHWEST is a sponsor of this forum ,they are in washington and they have some really beautiful chams maybe check them out.

 

[Corruptedmuffin]

My first chameleon (veiled) was about 1 month old when I got her. I loved watching her grow up but I think my next chamelon will be a bit older. I never had any problems with her but everyone tells me that I was very lucky that my first chameleon being that young lived.

 

[gregdabender]

CHAMELEONS NORTHWEST is a sponsor of this forum ,they are in washington and they have some really beautiful chams maybe check them out.

I got a sambava from them....I got him at 2 months old....super healthy and still doing great !!