Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have never owned a chameleon and this is the one that I like but I am going to read up after I post this.So my questions are:

Are they easy to take care of?

Are they a good beginner Chameloen?

What size tank should they go in?

Well, here are my initial thoughts, but I'm not pro...there's my disclaimer...LOL! For a first chameleon, I would try to go with one that is captive born instead of wild caught. Unless I haven't been paying attention well, most if not all of the Brookesia minima that you will find are more than likely wild caught (am I right about this??). I learned the hard way that wild caught's are not good for beginners.

I haven't even read much up on the care of B. minima because I wouldn't want to attempt it yet.

So, that all said, if you are dead set on a Pygmy species, I would go with a captive born Rhampholean Brevicaudatus. Those are the most commonly found, though those can even be slightly difficult to find captive born.

If you are open to even more suggestions, I think that most on this board would recommend either a Veiled, Panther or Jacksons...the first two being preferable.

I'm sure others can give you more input on the care of the minima, but I have no experience whatsoever in that area.

Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

I was thinking about getting a veiled but in everything I have read it never tells me what size tank they need nor does it tell me how big they get.

veileds do not need a tank. they need an all screen cage, preferably 24x24x48" or larger. take a look at my site, it contains a detailed care sheet.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

Well that is what I meant by a tank.But thank you.

Check out Adcham...here's a link to the Veiled page

http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chcalyptratus.html

If the link doesn't work, go to Species Profiles and Taxonomy, then Chamaeleo, then find Calyptratus. This tells you all about them. Hope this helps.
Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

Thank you very much I am definitely going to keep on reading about them and then I might get a pair of babies next month.

You're very welcome. Do remember though, that babies should even be kept seperately. If you are going to get two, you will need two seperate enclosures. Just food for thought.

Kristen
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0.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson

Yeah I was going to buy 2 starter setups at lllreptile and then buy two.But before that happens I have to do my homework in reading about them and then I have to get good grades in school in order to convince my dad.That is the hardest part.And again thank you.

>>I have never owned a chameleon and this is the one that I like but I am going to read up after I post this.So my questions are:
>>
>>Are they easy to take care of?
>>
>>Are they a good beginner Chameloen?
>>
>>What size tank should they go in?

This is most definately not a beginner chameleon species, they are very difficult and should not be kept by anyone except the most experienced keepers who are willing to go to all lengths to be able to provide them with the proper food (they are tiny and very hard to feed, especially babies) and environment. Please do not attempt them until you have considerably more experience. Ch. calyptratus is however a good starter species and there are many care sheets on them.
Chris
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Chris Anderson
parsonii_hoehnelii@hotmail.com
Chameleon Care and Information Center (CCIC) - http://www.geocities.com/ccicenter/
Chameleons Online E-zine - http://www.chameleonnews.com/