Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello everyone! i have been wanting a chameleon for awhile. i don't have the money or the space for one right now, but i hope to be moving soon. and i would love to add one to my collection. i want to learn everthing i can before buying one. i will be reading this bored alot and i just wanted to ask what is the best tempered chameleon?
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brandy

It's great that you are here researching before buying a chameleon...good for you. As I'm sure you'll soon find out, if you don't already know, they are not simple animals to care for...but if you do your research and know what you are getting into, nothing will be a surprise.

There are, generally, three species of chameleons that are recommended for first time chameleon owners: Veiled, Panthers or Jackson's. Jackson's are known to be more docile and not quite as likely to bite as the other two. Veiled chams are a bit on the more agressive side, but of course I'm generalizing again so there are exceptions to every rule here. Perosnally, I started with the Jackson's...they are a tad more difficult than the other two and are not quite as forgiving, but there are pros and cons to each of them.

Good luck and glad you will be making an informed decision.

Kristen
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1.2 c. quadricornis
1.2 c.j. merumontanus
0.0.2 neonate c.j. merumontanus
1.1 r. brevicaudatus
0.0.2 red eared sliders

Welcome to the "almost" world of chams! As trinacliff pointed out they are not always easy and they are also not cheap (buying, rearing and gutloading feeder insects, vet bills and general care. They won't break the bank (well, I suppose that depends on the size of your bank but you need to have $$ put aside for an emergency trip to the vet or paying an overnight fee for feeder b/c you forgot to order them last week. So for that aspect I recommend reading this article: www.chameleonnews.com/year2003/july2003/costs/costs.html

while you are there be sure to check out the other articles, past a current (new issue just came out.

some other sites to check out are

Chameleon News
This is a top source of current information compiled and written by “tops in their field.” (article listed above)
www.chameleonnews.com/

AdCham
www.adcham.com/

Chameleon Journals – www.chameleonjournals.com/

Chameleon Paradise – a site by one of our forum posters. He has FAQ, do’s and don’ts, cage building
http://www.chameleonparadise.com/

Reptayls – another site by a fellow KS poster
groups.msn.com/REPTAYLSChameleons

As for best for beginner all have their opinions and differing experiences, but jacksons, panthers and veileds are the most common. For initial purchase I think veileds and jax are less expensive than the panthers. I have a sweet (OK, she's not ALWAYS sweet) 1 y.o. veiled and wouldn't trade her for anything.

I am glad to see that you are being realistic about space and finances, all too often keepers realize too late that they don’t enough of one or the other. Do you keep other herps? Do you have a herp vet that has at least some knowledge about chams? Below is a link to vets by state so if you don't have one I think it only makes sense to line one up before you make a purchase. You may never need to bring it or you may have something unexpected so best to be prepared. If you get a wild caught (wc) you will at the very least need to get a fecal to a vet (and really should be checked out) and even if you get a captive bred/born (cb) you should still have semi-annual fecals done.

One other thing to consider is where you purchase the cham. Pet stores are not recommended, shows - it depends, and breeders - well, it depends, too. When the time for purchase gets nearer you can get LOTS of input here!

lele
vets by state and country

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (both MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog (for summer)
0.5 Mad. Hissers (for summer - all girls, no little ones, whew!)

Hi,
as for the best beginer chameleon,It all depends on what your tastes are,if you like color, Panthers are the way to go!but they are kinda expensive!If you like one's with horns that look like 'lil mini dinosuars Jacksons would be best to start!
also some fairly inexspensive chameleons with some color are veilds they are pretty hardy in most cases
there are some pygmies that are becoming more and more popular
like r.brevs the do well in a desktop vivararium (if you buy captive born)
just choose which chameleon and research research research
i have veilds, panthers, and pygmies (b.decaryi)

hey guys! thanks for the replies. yes i do keep other herbs. i have 3 iguanas, 2 mali uromastyx, 1 bearded dragon, and 1 conehead lizard. so i do know about all the work that goes into keeping guys like these healthy. i do have a vet but am trying to find a new one because im not to fond of him. he told me to feed my uros pinkies! if anyone knows anything about uros your prolly as shocked as i was to here that come out of a vets mouth.
getting a listing of houses to check out soon! so you guys may be helping me pick a breeder soon. im so excited.
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brandy