First chameleon.. what do I need???

[oiler17]

I've decided I want to get a chameleon, but I've also read that it's not a good idea to get a chameleon as my first lizard (I've never had a lizard for a pet before). So if I can't get a chameleon right away, what's a good arboreal lizard to pick up so i can learn the ropes?

Or is it alright to go after the chameleon right away?

Also, what equipment is necessary? I was thinking about making an enclosure out of screen and some lumber, but maybe that's a bad idea. What works for you all, and what kinda expenses will I be looking at for start-up costs?

So basically.. is it alright to get a chameleon for a first lizard, if so, what kind of chameleon would be a good one to start with (I don't want a jackson's, and I think veiled would be too expensive, even though they're super cool), and what will I need to get for it, and if not, what kind of arboreal lizard is easier to care for that i can get to work my way up to a chameleon?

any help is appreciated.. thanks!

[choriona]

I got a chameleon first and a leopard gecko second. Backwards I guess, but it all worked out. Chameleons are not very forgiving in husbandry mistakes. Although they may seem fine, over time they may be withering away. That is why they are considered for the experienced owner. But if you learn the ropes BEFORE purchasing, have the enclosure all set up and working, have a thermometer and hygrometer to test you temp and humidity....there is no reason you can't start with a cham.

Try reading some of the past posts on this forum. YOu'll learn a lot about what people are using for enclosures, what they are feeding, and even how to find supplies for cheap.

Good luck. Oh, and remember - if you want an animal that you can handle a lot a chameleon may not be the best choice (unless you luck out like some of us.)

[Trace]

I usually don't recommend a chameleon as a first lizard, but if that's what you've got your heart set on, then go for it. A Leopard Gecko, or Crested Gecko or a Bearded Dragon (all good starter lizards IMHO) will bore you to tears if you compare them to a chameleon. All, well not all, you need for a chameleon is DAILY dedication to it. They require very specialized, very finicky care every single day.

You are on the right track about the caging. Chameleons need tall screened enclosures. Depending on the species you get will depend on the size of the cage. The animals you mentioned would need a cage that is approx. 2x2x4 when adults. You can build them yourself for fairly low costs. There are people who make custom enclosures or you can buy caging at your local petshop. The last 2 options I mentioned are more expensive obviously.

Chameleons do need access to UV light and heat so you will have to factor in the prices of ballasts (for the UV tube) and a dome light (for the heat source). I use regular 60watt light bulbs for heat on my cham cages and those are cheap at the local grocery store. The UV tube is not something that you can save on. Up here in Canada they run approx $40.00 for an 18" one. There are combo heat/UV bulbs you can buy and they are approx $80.00 CAD. Those bulbs are great, if you are careful with them, they last about 4 years. The UV tubes I've mentioned need to be replaced every 6 months as the UV output wanes after this point.

Some good starter chameleons are the Jacksons, the Panthers and the Veileds. These seem to be a little more tolerant of beginner mistakes and are fairly hardy. There are, of course, good and bad points to all. Veileds are pretty, dinosaur like, but generally have a crabby disposition. You may end up with a lizard that will bite your arm off when you open the cage door to clean him out. Speaking of attitude, chameleons are generally not an animal you can hold on a daily basis. They don't like it. If this is a requirement for you, then perhaps a chameleon isn't the "right" lizard.

Chameleons eat like crazy, particularly the babies, be prepared to spend some money on a weekly basis for live insects, and not just one kind. Chameleons need a wide variety of insects to remain healthy.

When you've decided on a particular species you like, please don't be shy about asking specific husbandry questions about it here. There are plenty good cham folk on this board that are more than willing to add their 2 cents to any thread. I know I've personally skipped over a lot of good information for you, but to get you started, here is a good caresheet on the Veileds: http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/...lyptratus.html And one for the Panthers: http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/...fpardalis.html

You can always look over some of the past threads in this forum for good information as well. Tips on saving money on caging and cage furniture, hydration etc has all been touched on. Not that anybody has a problem with answering your questions again, but it's another great place to start reading about the daily care they need.

Cheers!

Trace

[oiler17]

thanks for the help.. I'll ask around and keep looking to see what I can do.. I'm kinda leaning toward the panther I think

[gfisher2002]

Be sure to let us know what you find. Post some pics, we all LOVE pics.

[chamitch]

anoles would be good. as logn as you follow directions and read alot chameleon woudl eb a perfect first lizards

[meow_mix450]

Best frist lizard is a bearded dragon, but everyone has there own opinion, cause dragons dont do to well with me, but chameleon seems to do fine for me But if you still choose chameleons, i say go for the panther, there a little bit harder, then veiled, but there very kind, but every cham has its own personality, Prices range from 150-400, depending on the age, what kind of panther, and sometimes colour. If you choose veiled you can get them as low at 25-100, i say thats pretty cheap. If you look at the fourm products youll find a lot of stuff that will save you money. I suggest that you make a change(if your a good builder), but if you choose to buy, then thats another good choice. Trace, has said a lot of stuff, that all needs to be covered, if you stay around long enough youll find that everyone here, are very nice people, and will help you a lot, if you got questions ask away, i bet everyone here will be glad to answer them. Last thing im gonna say, to every person that gets a cham, THERE ADDICTING!!!! Tell us what your gonna do good luck

Meow

[joer]

http://www.exoticlizards.com/reptile-supplies.html


Great looking cages not bad prices at all. Great people to buy from, I bought Mine here check out my pics and look at my cage.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Personally I would recommend a crested gecko
They are simple to care for and very neat. They come in tons of different colors and you wouldn't need to keep so many crickets around.
I just got mine though so my opinion is very biased

[meow_mix450]

did you know where you got the crested gecko and how much???

Meow

[gfisher2002]

Ya I'd like to know too.

[Neo]

i got mine by looking for some breeders on reptibid. they're generally around 45 USD unless u want a rare pattern they can get to the hundreds

[672]

My first reptile was a cham, and he was great. You just need to read all the caresheets, archived forums and all that crap and you'll be fine. As for chams being agressive, I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about, but my cham never bit me
ONCE, not once. When I took him out, which was about 1-2 times a week, if he was mad he's hiss once, change colors, and I'd put him back in right away, so he wouldn't get too stressed. I could take mine out, and he'd just climb all over the place for up to an hour! Anyways if you get everything set up right, your cham should be just fine...

[gfisher2002]

Who said chams are agressive? Some chameleons have an awful disposition and refuse to be handled. Some chameleons can be very agressive towards an unexperieced handler who persistantly tries to "pet" them. No one said they were agressive in general. My Panther goes against everything I've read about chams not liking being handled, she sits on my shoulder and free roams for hours and loves it. She craves attention, literally. But not all chams are like this. I'd say more are the opposite.

[meow_mix450]

i guess every chm hs ts on personlity

Meow