interested in chameleons

[remsin76]

hi,
i am more of a snake person but i'm getting interested in chameleons. how are chameleon's as pets? are they responsive? easy to hold? are they friendly? i heard iguanas can become really tame and responsive and know their owner, what about chameleons? Thansk:grab:

[Reptayls]

Remsin,

If you want a "pal"... get a bearded dragon - they are like puppy dogs. Skinks are fun... uromastyx are great too.

Chameleons are generally classified as solitary animals. They are arboreal (living high in trees) for the most part - and not in contact with other animals - except for breeding time. Depending upon the species you select, you can find some that don't stress so much with human contact - but your best chance with that is to get a younger one (3-5 months of age).

Most folks recommend the veiled as the "first chameleon" to get. This is primarily because they are a sturdy chameleon and can adapt to more environmental variations. The veiled has an attitude though - and is well known as one of the more aggressive of the species. Some will take to being handled, but not as many as in other species.

Other folks recommend panthers as the "first chameleon". They have a bit more rigid environmental requirements, and are generally more passive to handling. There are exceptions to every rule, however. They come in many colors too.

Jacksons are great "first chameleons" if you can provide their proper habitat. They rarely bite, and are a curious chameleon - adapting to human contact more easily. These however are more prone to problems if you cannot manage their environment. Their popularity continues because of their dinosaur-like horns....

Depending upon where you live - outdoor living in the mild climes is ideal - but one has to build a proper enclosure. Plenty of plants - predator-proof mesh screening - misters and water drippers are a must. Most any chameleon prefers to live outdoors - but they still have to have their environmental requirements met.

Your best avenue is to do lots of research on the common species available - and decide which one you feel that you can properly care for. Then you can try to find a breeder that offers cbb animals that are handled a bit. This allows for a better start for you and the chameleon.

Good luck in your research.
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.