PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at kingsnake.com, I'm very pleased to welcome Liddy (& Ed) Kammer to our Eighth Annual Chat Week.
PHFaust: Growing up as a southern belle, there were moments as a little girl with a Maxwell House coffee can, blue belly lizards, baby toads, mud-puppies and "chameleons" (green anoles!), but then she grew into a sensible woman and put such things aside . . . or so she thought. One warm July night in 1998, after a nice dinner with our friends Philippe and Gigi, something wonderful and amazing happened. Gigi showed me two little veiled chameleon babies that had just hatched two days prior. She said, "Liddy, choose which one you'd like and take it home for your very own". This tiny creature I held on the tip of my index finger with little grasping hands and feet, inquisitive eyes and curling tail . . . simply enchanted me. That was it! I was "bitten by the bug"! We had to make a decision . . . when you haven't met a chameleon you don't like and then they all start liking each other . . . you better do something quick . . . like sell some babies you don't want to part with! Voila . . . Kammerflage Kreations
PHFaust: Thank you so much for joining us, Liddy & Ed, and welcome
PHFaust: Ed, Liddy, ready to go?
Liddy_Kammer: It's very good to be here
Liddy_Kammer: We're ready
Liddy_Kammer: 
coastalherper: What is the best Chameleon for beginners?
Liddy_Kammer: CB Panthers & Veileds make great beginner chameleons
mavericksdad: which species of chameloeons live the longest in captivity ...ive wanted one forever but i like my pets long lived...
Liddy_Kammer: Of the species commonly available, both the Veiled and Panther Chameleon males may live as long as 9 years
mavericksdad: oh...thanks
Liddy_Kammer: The average is more like 4-5
a23cham_nr: do u have any advice for those who would like to emulate your chameleon breeding business?
Liddy_Kammer: Approach it with passion, dedication and integrity
Liddy_Kammer: Like any business, these qualities go a long way
king_dj_nr: do all chameloeons have the ability to change color? and do all of them sway like a leaf? for camoflaudge that is
Liddy_Kammer: With the exception of some ground dwelling species, most chameleons have a range in which they can definitely change color
king_dj_nr: what about veild?
king_dj_nr: ok thx for your time
bmelv24: Hi liddy, I was wondering how difficult parsons are to care for?
Liddy_Kammer: Once you meet their requirements, they are a very hardy species to work with
Liddy_Kammer: in particular, CB's
Chamcham505: Liddy-Ed, I was just curious on why Parson chameleons are so expensive? Are they an endangered species of Chameleon...or is it their size and difficulty to obtain? Thanks!
Liddy_Kammer: They are no longer readily available from the wild and they have not been consistantly bred with success in captivity. It turns into a supply & demand issue plus their phenominal appeal
puzzlepiece: Aren't Veileds known to be mean and a bit aggressive for beginners?
PEPPERQUILL1: What breeding projects are you currently working on besides panthers and veilds?
Liddy_Kammer: We're also working with Parson's and Fischer's
puzzlepiece: Aren't Veileds known to be mean and a bit aggressive for beginners?
Liddy_Kammer: Chameleons in general are "leary" of humans but with routine interaction and starting with a young specimen, many of the species can become tolerant of interaction.
Liddy_Kammer: Veileds in general can have a more "hissy" attitude yet we've met some very sweet ones along the way
Adam105_nr: I am thinking about getting a chameleon. It will be my first cham but deffinately not my first reptile! I own reptiles from beardies to corn snakes to crested geckos to hogg island boas. So anyways, I rather get a panther over a veild. Would this be a good choice? It seems panthers are smallers, tamer, and easier to keep? I heard the only thing that keeps panthers from being the best beginner cham are the prices. What do ya think?
Liddy_Kammer: We think they are a great "first choice" based on color, hardiness, personality etc.
Adam105_nr: Great! Just what I would like to hear! Thank you!
Liddy_Kammer: The best advise we can give is to learn their care needs and be ready to provide them before you purchase one
Liddy_Kammer: Purchasing a healthy CB youngster is also highly recommended
Adam105_nr: Of course. Thanks a bunch!
Liddy_Kammer: You're welcome Adam. Good question
coastalherper: What was your most rewarding moment?
Liddy_Kammer: When our first child was born LOL
Liddy_Kammer: Really though . . . boy that's a big question
Liddy_Kammer: I'll answer first and then Ed will
coastalherper: lol i meant in the reptile hobby
Liddy_Kammer: My most rewarding moment was to witness 2 of our CB Parson's breed for the first time
Ed_Kammer: For me it was when I realised that we could pursue our passion for chameleons . . . and actually make a living at it!
AnkInc: i have to say, you guys have the nicest collection of chameleons on the web by far
Liddy_Kammer: Thank your for your kind compliments!
Liddy_Kammer: We are very fortunate.
Reptilefreak16: What is your breeding panthers cage set ups like? Do you have huge cages so they have a ton of room,or do you tend to keep them to a more confined set up?
Liddy_Kammer: Our male cages are 36"L x 24"W x 36"H and the female cages are approx. 36"L x 16"W x 30"H
Reptilefreak16: thank you
a23cham_nr: my male panther is receptive but female is never i try putting them together about every week and they never see each other any advice?
Liddy_Kammer: How old is your pair?
a23cham_nr: male is about 6months but big and ready female is over a year
Liddy_Kammer: Is your female a virgin?
a23cham_nr: yes
Liddy_Kammer: Continue putting them together on a weeking basis until she shows signs of receptivity (i.e. passive & calm to his advances). It may take some time, so just be patient.
dcmander: What advice would you give to someone who wants to breed panthers and veildeds and own a small business similar to yours ? i mean for starting up...tips and concerns, etc and a top quality website wont be a problem
Ed_Kammer: DC, it is a big question. Start out slow and make sure . ...
Ed_Kammer: you have the intestinal fortitude for it.
Ed_Kammer: I have been in the reptile business 26 years
Ed_Kammer: you have to love what you are breeding to be a real success
Ed_Kammer: if that sounds like you then start with great founder breeder
Ed_Kammer: dont skimp there
Ed_Kammer: give them the very best in nutrition and care and know who you will sell them to BEFORE the babies hatch
Ed_Kammer: hope that helps
Tsuky_nr: i've got a 8 month old female veiled and shes starting to have sunken eyes and shes not wanting to eat for the past 3-4 days. What can I do to help her, i've been giving her water with supplement to hydrate herand 4sing her to eat what she can
Ed_Kammer: What you're describing is definitely symptoms of a problem which should be properly diagnoised by a qualified reptile vet
Ed_Kammer: There can be many reasons for her condition and we wish we could help more
Ed_Kammer: Be sure to let your vet know her feeding routine, daily care, supplements & setup information
Tsuky_nr: after this I've been feding her well and giving her planty of calcium and vitamins in her diet
Ed_Kammer: anything you can tell he/she will be very helpful in diagnoising the problem
Tsuky_nr: and after her simptioms i didnt had a dripping system. I used to soak the plants in her cage
Tsuky_nr: im going to see if i can take her to the vet, thnx 4 ur time and help
Ed_Kammer: That is the best thing you could do.
geckogod2: i've always been fascinated with rudis chameleons. you don't see too many around much.. are they protected?
Ed_Kammer: We aren't currently breeding Rudis, so we're unaware of the import status for this species but they aren't "protected"
geckogod2: i think geckosgirl has connectionprobs.. i have her question. Thank you both Liddy and Ed for coming in tonight, my question is for my 7 year old son who loves chameleons. He would like to know if you can recommend any good links on setting up a chameleon Supplies which you feel are essentials and some just to have a nice looking and yet natural set up/
geckogod2: i will relay the answer to her when she gets back on
Ed_Kammer: Liddy & I are sharing the log-in name because she was booted & can't sign back on??
Ed_Kammer: If you'd like to go to our website and send us an e-mail requesting care information, we can send you a setup checklist and other information that we're sure you'll find helpful.
Ed_Kammer: www.chameleonsonly.com
holygouda: one morning my panther cham had white crystals around his nostrils. I brushed them away and they haven't returned.He seems fine. Any idea what that was about and should I be concerned even though it was a one time thing?
Ed_Kammer: Salt deposits . . . nothing to worry about
holygouda: thanks!
aaron13_nr: i was thinking of getting a chameleon, as my first exotic reptile. and i did reserch on them for like 3 weeks! but im very young and i am on a very tight budget (5.00 a week).so what is a relitively cheap cham that is still very beautiful.i hear that the pigmy chams are cheap, but they dont move much and they have to eat fruit flies (is this true?) and can i have some recomendations for a good quality cham?
Ed_Kammer: We can see your dilema!
aaron13_nr: yeh
Ed_Kammer: A great beginner chameleon is a Veiled but you are still looking at approx. $250.00 between the proper setup and your chameleon. The best thing to do is save up, learn as much as you can in between and provide a wonderful home for one of these fascinating creatures as soon as the timing is right.
Ed_Kammer: It will depend on the species's requirements, cage size, ambient room temperature & bulb wattage
bmelv24: What was the species that got you guys started working with chameleons?
Ed_Kammer: A cute Veiled female we named "Tubby"! LOL Given to us by Philippe & Gigi de Vosjoli
Ed_Kammer: She changed our lives forever!
aaron13_nr: yeh, and i was thinking of making a custom cage how far away should the heat lamp be from the cham so he wont get burnt
aaron13_nr: ok and one last question.........if i buy a waterfall will my cham even go near it, or will it fear the noise ?
Ed_Kammer: Chameleons don't have exterior ears, so the sound is not going to bother him.
Ed_Kammer: A waterfall is not appropriate for all species, so be sure to learn about your chameleon's needs in advance
aaron13_nr: ok thank you very much i apreciate your time
FEENIEE: I own a cross bred cham. Nosey be/ambanja mix, and was wondering what kind of reaction from other breeders you guys get about your cross-breeding program. Positive/negative and why?
Ed_Kammer: Specifically from other breeders?
FEENIEE: yes
Ed_Kammer: Other breeders don't really give us their opinions on the subject but I'm sure they vary.
Redoaksblues: The second clutch 31, all have died
Redoaksblues: The eggs sweated at 7 monhts, they never hatched
Redoaksblues: Same incubator, mom was fed adequate supplements...
Redoaksblues: Very sad...some live a few minutes and then died...
Redoaksblues: Any suggestions? Any reasons?
Redoaksblues: Three eggs are left....waiting to hatch.
Ed_Kammer: There are several reasons eggs do not hatch. Temperature, humidity, substrate, the overall health of the female, nutritional fortification are but to name a few
Redoaksblues: Anything I can do to insure the last three hatch correctly? Or is it too late at this point?
Ed_Kammer: Some eggs will go full term, sweat and never emerge.
Ed_Kammer: At this point it's more than likely too late. What's done is done and hopefully you'll have one or more make it. It's up to them now.
Redoaksblues: Thankyou!
Ed_Kammer: your very welcome
PHFaust: Sorry to those we didnt get to... On behalf of Kingsnake.com, Jeff B, and myself, I want to take a moment to thank Ed and liddy for being part of our chat week. Kathy, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on chams.
Ed_Kammer: We enjoyed talking with all of you very much
Ed_Kammer: We'd be very happy to answer any other questions you might have via private e-mail at chameleonsonly@aol.com
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Cindy
PHFaust
