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I talked to a local pet shop about importing a chameleon (El Salvador) there seems to be no other way for me to get one
the only ones they could import were a panther (too expensive for me), a senegal and a graceful
Would a senegal or a graceful be ok for a beginner? I read they weren't that hard to care for
which one's better?

I think it's too late, but I was curious

They can't import a veiled from the states? Have you checked to make sure that there are no breeders in your area? If The answer is the same, then 1st off, a panther would be by far and away the best of the 3 species you stated. My first chameleons were a pair of senegal chameleons. They are neat little chams, and I was lucky and had relitively good succes with them. I am not sure if they were imported, farm raised or captive bred(I got them from a breeder at a show so at that time in my herping carrer I asumed they bere captive bred), but I heard that wild caught speciments can be hard to aclimate. I have never kept gracefuls, but I have heard that they are not easy to keep either. Between the 2 I would personaly go with senegal chameleons because I had some sucess with them,but I could have been just lucky, but as I stated a velied or panther would be a far superior choice if there is any way at all that you can get one of them. Good luck in your search, I hope what ever you decide works out! Keep us posted!

I agree.... Try to get a veiled chameleon. Anyone who can get you a panther should be able to get you a veiled. I'm not sure, but I would assume that a veiled would be as easy or easier to import to you than a panther. I bought a graceful chameleon in 1998. It was one of my learning experiences, but it did ok for a while. Apparently it was a WC, but at the time I didn't know better. I enjoyed it quite a bit and it seemed pretty active compared the mountain chameleon I also had at the time, but they're just kinda a "dull" species to me. There's not too much "flash" about them. I don't think they're bred in captivity too often either and a CBB chameleon (no matter what species) would make the trip to you better than a WC one would. Good luck.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV

A month or two ago, there was a small article in Reptiles Magazine about Senegal chameleons. If that's all you can get, I would definately get that magazine and use it as a starting point in keeping your Senegal.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV

Gracefuls and Senegals are often very difficult in captivity. They go through a lot during the import/export process. Many of them die and the ones that survive that often die from kidney failure at a later date (like once you own them) due to no water during the importation proccess. These two species of Chams are 2 to avoid. They are basically regarded as expendable by nearly everybody along the import/export/pet shop line. They are all wild caught as breeding them is very difficult and there is no money in it. This is sad but true.
Imported Panthers fall into a different category many breeders will buy a wild caught panther because it provides them with a new bloodline. I think all importations of wild animals are difficult but the importers for Panthers will take the extra precautions to insure the animals arrive safely. Breeders will pay top dollar for a Panther in good shape, Madagascar importers like Olaf Pronk know this, thats why they are a lot more expensive.

I would check the kingsnake.com classifieds under chameleons. Lots of the people doing business on there will ship worldwide. Find a few people like that and e-mail them. Most of them will be involved in the high end top dollar type chams but maybe one or two can get you a Veiled or other cham suitable for a beginner.

Please stay away from the Senegals, Gracefuls and Flapnecks. If there is no demand for them, they might eventaully stop importing them. This would end some real atrosities done to these wonderful little chams that usually don't fare well in ccaptivity. The initial cheap price is often made up in expensive vet bills later. Good luck.