Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wanting to get a Chameleon, I will not say that I am an expert, but my Iguana is fully grown ( 5.5ft) and I've had her about 6 years, so I am not totally unfamiliar.
Here's the plan, obtain, or create a small mesh cage. standard UVB light on a timer. Heat source, on a thermostat. Now, I was planning on using an ultrasonic fogger on top of the cage, that would allow the fog to fall from the top of the cage.

Here are the questions
1. Will the ultrasonic fogger work instead of a misting system?
2. Are there any economical ways to control the heating, and fogger electronically?
3. Should I buy one from a local pet shop not knowing how well it was taken care of, or buy from a well known breeder and have it shipped in?
4. I saw one today in PETCO, and it looked kinda small (3 inches) how big should they be to ensure I am getting a healthy one?

I think that before the answers can be given...you need to tell us what kind of chameleon you want. Also...small cages are for baby chameleons...my chameleons are over 12" long nose to tail...minimum size cage 4'x 3' x 3' - I have panther chameleons.

Here are the questions
1. Will the ultrasonic fogger work instead of a misting system? -
I use a misting system, ultrasonic humidifier and hand-mist three times a day

2. Are there any economical ways to control the heating, and fogger electronically?
You can use a timer for misting and fogging. As far as heat, along with uva and uvb bulb.. you need a basking light(depending on your chameleon).

3. Should I buy one from a local pet shop not knowing how well it was taken care of, or buy from a well known breeder and have it shipped in?
Do research on your chameleon, know what is healthy and what is not. I prefer the "reputable breeder" route.

4. I saw one today in PETCO, and it looked kinda small (3 inches) how big should they be to ensure I am getting a healthy one?
They should at least be three months old (imho) especially if you are new to chameleons.

Read through this forum. There is so much good information and so many knowedgable nice people.

C

Hi there!

1. Will the ultrasonic fogger work instead of a misting system?
You need both. I agree with redoaksblues, decide which chameleon sp. you want and the requirements it needs. Then you can go from there (ideal temp/humidity/moisture/etc.)
2. Are there any economical ways to control the heating, and fogger electronically?
I have my lights (uvb and heat) on one timer, ultrasonic fogger on another timer, misting system on its own timer as well.
3. Should I buy one from a local pet shop not knowing how well it was taken care of, or buy from a well known breeder and have it shipped in?
There are always good and bad pet stores AND breeders out there. Make sure you research both and ask alot of questions. If they don't even take the time to help you, then there's a red flag.
4. I saw one today in PETCO, and it looked kinda small (3 inches) how big should they be to ensure I am getting a healthy one? They should be at least 8-9 weeks from date of hatch before they are sold. Make sure it is eating and drinking...ask them to put insects in the cage to see it eat for yourself. It should be alert, awake and looking around at its surroundings. If it's eyes are sunken, closed and not active there is something wrong.

If you have any more questions, feel free to post. There are alot of knowledgeable people here. Let us know how it goes!

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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

If you get a veiled, you don't really need both, thought they can help. Veileds do not require as much humidity as other species, and can do fine with mistings alone for humidity control. For water, drip systems are best. Veileds can deal with low humidity or high humidity. Adults are eaiser than babies - babies dry out ery fast, and humidity is more important for them. adults can have perfect sheds with infequent mistings -

I now mist all my veileds daily, but in the early days(10 years ago), I misted them every WEEK, and provided water once or twice a week. And they do not have trouble shedding. Dehydration is not an issue with them provided they get water every few days. Other species(just about all of them) will go nut if they go more than a few hours without water.

Regardless of what they can handle, it's best to mist daily - just to make sure. However, for calyptratus, I feel a humidifier or misting system is a bit unnecessary. I hooked up a misting system for the deremensis and melleri -and my frog, but I'm holding off on my veilds. they just don't need it. Since I've had the thing installed, the humidity in the room has gone up, and I can't get my veiled to drink more than every few days - and when he does, he just licks the water on his mouth, and ignores the dripper. They are fantastic at holding water.