Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 3 leopard geckos, and a rainbow boa (young). the apartment we live in is usually warm and doesn't really drop below 80 degrees at night. we are also usually up with the TV or computer until around 3-4, and so there's only aobut 4 hours of complete darkness a night. the only place I have avaliable for a cage is near my other herps. and I hear that wasn't a good place to have him or her. I Could put the chameleon accross the way from the couch, but that's just like 8-10 feet away. is a chameleon's eyesight that good? pease let me know if I could keep a chameleon given my current lifestyle.
Kev
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Kev
1.1.0 Tang Leopard Geckos: Marley, Mary
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko: Toad
0.1.0 Colombian Rainbow Boa: Rambo
1 Beta: Malificent
0.1.0 Tri Australian Shepard: Nelly

i would say .. no ... sorry bro
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Jason
f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/dank7oo
1.0 maroantsetra panther chameleon
0.2 dwarf panther chameleons
jsinger_jimt@hotmail.com

I applaud you for thinking in advance of making a decision! Neither you nor your cham would be happy. I am sure that other posters may be able to help you decide on another herp that might fit your lifestyle. Good Luck and keep up that forward thinking

lele

>>i would say .. no ... sorry bro
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>>Jason
>>f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/dank7oo
>>1.0 maroantsetra panther chameleon
>>0.2 dwarf panther chameleons
>>jsinger_jimt@hotmail.com

Good for you for thinking about this first! There are several reasons a cham would have a hard time. Chams have evolved to need daily variations in light, temp, and humidity probably because they live in canopy trees/bushes in the wild. There they would be exposed to more range of temp etc. than if they were ground dwelling herps. The constant 80 temp will be a problem as most chams need at least a 10 degree drop in temp at night. Chams are very like birds in that they cannot drop their metabolism to rest if lights are on. Light is a metabolic stressor...a good one in the right amount, but too much is too much. They do best with a 10-12 hour dark cycle. Chams have extremely good eyesight and being that close to other pets will stress it visually unless you blocked the view with something...and if you end up having to isolate a cham cage so thoroughly that's not great for you or it. You are better off with herps who want more constant conditions day to night. Good job for asking!!

good man. Glad you did not go out and just buy one.

I would suggest - if I may - a blue tongue skink or two. they are wonderful creatures. gentle and eat like pigs.

If I did not have the cham and limited space - Id have me some of those.

I figured it'd be the best thing to ask y'all first. I love the kingsnake forums. I frequent the leopard gecko one, but I became VERY interested in Chameleons recently, and decided to check out this forum and get all the info I could. After reading several posts, I cought a notion that a chameleon would not be happy in my apartment, and decided to post this message to find out if I was correct in assuming this. Yes, I do want another herp with vibrant colors, and I've ALWAYS been fascinated by Chams. But I want the herp to be as happy as I am. Thank you for all your help, and maybe SOMEDAY, when I have a house of my own, I'll pick up a chameleon.

Thanks again,
kev
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Kev
1.1.0 Tang Leopard Geckos: Marley, Mary
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko: Toad
0.1.0 Colombian Rainbow Boa: Rambo
1 Beta: Malificent
0.1.0 Tri Australian Shepard: Nelly