Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I went to the monthly reptile show and was watching the veilds... Im thinking about getting 1 but I have a couple questions first. When the chamealeons would climb up the "chameleon ladder" they would kindof move there hands back and forth before they laid them down. They all seemed to be very active which i liked, but are they normally like this? Is it normal the way they walked? BTW the chamealeons showed no signs mbd, no rounded joints, strait legs or anything. It was 1 of the best cham breeders at the show. I just wanted to check if this is normal behaviour.

Oh also these chams were about 7-9 inches head to tail so not complete hatchlings. But at this age is it normal to see there ribs? Thanks for any help you can give me!

I am definately no expert, but my veiled does this, but he does it with his whole body. It looks like he hesitates, but i think its deliberate. i HEARD that they do it because theyre instinct tells them to act like theyre swaying in the wind, but im not sure if thats true. If anyone has any other info, i'd like to know also!

Thanks for your reply. But I have 1 more question if I get a vield it will be a 8-10 inch male or larger cant remember exactly =/. If i dont get a 3 inch hathling do i still have to use 2 cages? Or can I just get a large cage and keep him in that until adulthood? I just thought it would be nicer to just use 1 enclosure. Thanks!

Hi-

The key is to make sure the chameleon can catch its food. If the cage is to large a small chameleon may have a hard time catching food, and in a smaller cage no problems. That said, if the chameleon will bowl/cup feed a large cage will be no problem for a young chameleon. An older chameleon like 6 months will be a better choice for a first time keeper. This is because the chameleon will be more stable, even though most are after 3 months, and a large cage like 2'x2'x4' will be fine. Hope this helps!
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John @ Chameleon Paradise
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers
1.2 Rhampholeon uluguruensis

You can always partition off a section of a large cage for use when he's young so food is easier to find.

I have an 8 inch female in a 2x2x4ft cage and she has no problems finding anything. Especially food! maybe when they are smaller there is a problem but 8-10 inch should be fine.

Hi-

Yes, that is normal chameleon behavior. They move like this to mimic a leaf blowing in the wind, it is a defense for potential predators. I would not worry about seeing some ribs in the youngsters, it is normal. They will flatted there body and inflate there body, change there colors, hiss, gape, as well as some other things that might worry you, but all is normal chameleon behavior to some extent. Read up on the Veileds before you buy, if you do buy. Chameleons have very specific needs and require allot more time then other herps. I have allot of info on my site along with pics and links to other excellent chameleon sources, click on the photo below. Hope this helps!
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John @ Chameleon Paradise
1.1 Ambilobe Panthers
1.1 Nosy Be Panthers
1.1 Sambava Panthers
1.2 Rhampholeon uluguruensis