Which to get? Veiled or Jackson

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 10:25 AM

So I'm debating on getting a chameleon but I need to get some real world info. The care sheets and what not on line really aren't trust worth, I really like the jacksons ( I dig the horns) but I was told I should start with a veiled?
Can anyone give me any information on these guys?

Thanks
Chris

Snickers · 09-12-12, 11:06 AM

I don't own any chameleons but I hope to get some next year.

With that being said I've being doing a little online research here and there, and from what I gather Jacksons are better for a first timer because Veileds tend to be more aggressive and don't like to be handled.

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snickers

I don't own any chameleons but I hope to get some next year.

With that being said I've being doing a little online research here and there, and from what I gather Jacksons are better for a first timer because Veileds tend to be more aggressive and don't like to be handled.

I read that chameleons in general Dont like to be handled?

UwabamiReptiles · 09-12-12, 12:18 PM

I had a few veiled about 6 years ago. For the most part the care for both should be the same if I remember correctly. Veileds are the ones usually said to be the best "starter" cham. But if you like the jacksons, then go with the jacksons. If you do a lot of research and setup an environment that is perfect for them, you will have no problems. Just lots of ventilation and humidity(spray once or twice a day). My veileds hated being held but like you said, I'm pretty sure that goes for all chams, they are pretty nervous animals to begin with.

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UwabamiReptiles

I had a few veiled about 6 years ago. For the most part the care for both should be the same if I remember correctly. Veileds are the ones usually said to be the best "starter" cham. But if you like the jacksons, then go with the jacksons. If you do a lot of research and setup an environment that is perfect for them, you will have no problems. Just lots of ventilation and humidity(spray once or twice a day). My veileds hated being held but like you said, I'm pretty sure that goes for all chams, they are pretty nervous animals to begin with.

Thank you for the info, and thanks for all the replys guys.

Wildside · 09-12-12, 12:40 PM

I had two vield's that liked to be held and one that was downright evil. The evil one was female.

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

I had two vield's that liked to be held and one that was downright evil. The evil one was female.

Yeah, looking around online and what I've gathered is that more often than not, chams don't like being held. As far as which type I want to get, I'm really leaning twords a male Jackson, I can't get over how cool their horns look! Also, chameleons require a good amount of effort so I'm going to have to set up a daily routine with either species, so I might as well get the one I want you know? Just gotta learn how to set up the perfect (or as close to perfect as possible) habitat for them.

Wildside · 09-12-12, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Yeah, looking around online and what I've gathered is that more often than not, chams don't like being held. As far as which type I want to get, I'm really leaning twords a male Jackson, I can't get over how cool their horns look! Also, chameleons require a good amount of effort so I'm going to have to set up a daily routine with either species, so I might as well get the one I want you know? Just gotta learn how to set up the perfect (or as close to perfect as possible) habitat for them.

That's right and seeing as how your are not new to reptiles and don't seem to be an idiot I think you'll do just fine

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

That's right and seeing as how your are not new to reptiles and don't seem to be an idiot I think you'll do just fine

Thanks, I'm def. No expert on reptiles but I have been keeping them for some time. I like to think I'm not an idiot but I have my moments LOL

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 01:59 PM

I've decided on a Mt. Kenya Jackson's chameleon. They are the biggest of the jacksons and the most common. (at least what I've read). Now to find one! Also any ideas how to build a terrarium? I don't really want to spend hundreds of dollars on something I can build my self for a fraction of the price. Could I use regular screen? Anything I have to stay clear of? I know that glass is a big NO but is there anything else?

simpleyork · 09-12-12, 04:38 PM

make a wood frame with 1/4 welded wire, or wire mesh to cover it (I like the 1/4 inch better because claws are less likely to get stuck when they do climb
Also building one lets you make any size you want

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpleyork

make a wood frame with 1/4 welded wire, or wire mesh to cover it (I like the 1/4 inch better because claws are less likely to get stuck when they do climb
Also building one lets you make any size you want

Thank you. Now does the rule about too big of an enclosure causing stress hold true for chameleons as well? I'd like to make a fairly large enlosure but I know with snakes, to big is just as bad as to small.

UwabamiReptiles · 09-12-12, 07:35 PM

I think with cage size, it would depend on how much open space it has. A big cage with a lot of open space will most likely stress out a cham. A decent size cage with a lot of plants and perches with cover would be better. Just remember they are shy and nervous and like to hide a lot. Most of their behavior is geared toward mimicking moving leaves in the wind. I wouldn't go too crazy on cage size but you could get away with an adult in a good size cage as long as there is plenty of cover for them.

Think too about what you will feed them and the size wire mesh you will use. If you use crickets make sure the cage is escape proof for the crickets. Crickets running loose in the house is something I don't miss one bit. Like Wildside said, you're not new to reptiles, I'm sure you'll come up with something awesome for the little guy.

Kingsnakechris · 09-12-12, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UwabamiReptiles

I think with cage size, it would depend on how much open space it has. A big cage with a lot of open space will most likely stress out a cham. A decent size cage with a lot of plants and perches with cover would be better. Just remember they are shy and nervous and like to hide a lot. Most of their behavior is geared toward mimicking moving leaves in the wind. I wouldn't go too crazy on cage size but you could get away with an adult in a good size cage as long as there is plenty of cover for them.

Think too about what you will feed them and the size wire mesh you will use. If you use crickets make sure the cage is escape proof for the crickets. Crickets running loose in the house is something I don't miss one bit. Like Wildside said, you're not new to reptiles, I'm sure you'll come up with something awesome for the little guy.

Yeah, raising leopard geckos and other MISC. lizards, crickets escaping was one of the first things I eradicated hahah, thank you for the intel. So If I make a cage I can get away with alot of space if I add ALOT of cover? My vision is a big enclosure with a bunch of plants, trees, branches etc. Etc. And a misting system on a timer. Anything else I should consider?

UwabamiReptiles · 09-12-12, 09:43 PM

Yea that sounds good to me. I don't want to say clutter the cage, but I'd imagine getting pretty close wouldn't hurt. I just have vivid memories of my guys being stressed over the tiniest things. The plants(preferably live or a mix of live and fake) branches and whatnot will be good. A misting system will make life a lot easier. Too, if you're building your own cage, you could try to think of an easy way to clean the bottom of the cage. I remember always having to take everything out to do a substrate change(I used newspaper). I had big live plants in pots that sat on the bottom of the cage so I would have to remove them every cleaning which meant moving the cham every cleaning.

Maybe coming up with something to alleviate that situation would be easier for you in the long run. Just off the top of my head I'm thinking of a raised floor(2inches or so) and a pan in the bottom so you would just have to pull it out, clean it, and replace it. Like maybe hardware cloth on the bottom where the actual plant pots would sit on. Then all the soiled stuff would just fall through the hardware cloth to the pan. Kind of like a bird cage is set up.

Disclaimer: This is just something that popped into my head while typing this and remembering keeping chams myself. Maybe it will give you an idea for something else. Just try to think of every situation you can have and build a cage to make life easier for you and the chameleon(good choice with the jacksons too, those horns are BA).