BEFORE you buy a chameleon or add to your collection you need to evaluate your personal situation
I have 8 + years of experience with different species of chameleons including panthers, jacksonii, veiled and Melleri along with “other reptile” experience. I have dealt with all ages including babies, the sick and the old. I am a firm believer of not acquiring so many reptiles that you cannot properly care for them. Especially chameleons which require allot of time and special care and cost allot of money for their upkeep. If you are a full time student or work a full time job I would recommend limiting your collection to only one or two chameleons. Chameleons are a full time job and without the timely special care that they need they can become sick and ill and you will lose your chameleons to death. You also need to live within driving distant of a chameleon vet and have the money to provide medical care along with well checkups for your chameleon.
Right now I only have two panthers of my own and spend hours each day caring for them making sure they get outside for natural UV rays which is very important, watering, misting, feeding and cleaning time. This is not a job that I take lightly. They are helpless in captivity they cannot do for them self…….they only have what I provide for them.
Far too often I have seen keepers jump into chameleons acquiring way too many reptiles. The reptiles become ill due to lack of proper care and die. Many of these keepers are very cold hearted and look at it like “he didn’t survive” or “that one didn’t make it”. Years ago that might have been the case but today a captive breed chameleon with the proper care, lighting and supplements should live a long normal life. Years ago the proper care was not known for chameleons and many died when people experimented with “proper care”. Today there is so much more information on chameleon care there’s no reason to have chameleons “just not surviving” or not making it.
It takes allot of time and special care to give your chameleon everything that it needs and requires. A healthy chameleon will be with you for years not months. So think twice before you buy a chameleon these are very high maintenance animals. Be prepared BEFORE you buy a chameleon and please make sure you can keep one alive for a good year before you buy another one. If you are thinking about adding multiply chameleons give it a few years. If you are buying chameleons all the time and they are constantly dying off you need to re- evaluate your situation. You may be one of those keepers that just don’t have the time and or the money to care for these majestic creatures and you need to find a pet that doesn’t require so much time. It’s sad to see so many people killing off chameleons every day.
I have 8 + years of experience with different species of chameleons including panthers, jacksonii, veiled and Melleri along with “other reptile” experience. I have dealt with all ages including babies, the sick and the old. I am a firm believer of not acquiring so many reptiles that you cannot properly care for them. Especially chameleons which require allot of time and special care and cost allot of money for their upkeep. If you are a full time student or work a full time job I would recommend limiting your collection to only one or two chameleons. Chameleons are a full time job and without the timely special care that they need they can become sick and ill and you will lose your chameleons to death. You also need to live within driving distant of a chameleon vet and have the money to provide medical care along with well checkups for your chameleon.
Right now I only have two panthers of my own and spend hours each day caring for them making sure they get outside for natural UV rays which is very important, watering, misting, feeding and cleaning time. This is not a job that I take lightly. They are helpless in captivity they cannot do for them self…….they only have what I provide for them.
Far too often I have seen keepers jump into chameleons acquiring way too many reptiles. The reptiles become ill due to lack of proper care and die. Many of these keepers are very cold hearted and look at it like “he didn’t survive” or “that one didn’t make it”. Years ago that might have been the case but today a captive breed chameleon with the proper care, lighting and supplements should live a long normal life. Years ago the proper care was not known for chameleons and many died when people experimented with “proper care”. Today there is so much more information on chameleon care there’s no reason to have chameleons “just not surviving” or not making it.
It takes allot of time and special care to give your chameleon everything that it needs and requires. A healthy chameleon will be with you for years not months. So think twice before you buy a chameleon these are very high maintenance animals. Be prepared BEFORE you buy a chameleon and please make sure you can keep one alive for a good year before you buy another one. If you are thinking about adding multiply chameleons give it a few years. If you are buying chameleons all the time and they are constantly dying off you need to re- evaluate your situation. You may be one of those keepers that just don’t have the time and or the money to care for these majestic creatures and you need to find a pet that doesn’t require so much time. It’s sad to see so many people killing off chameleons every day.
