birdieelizabeth
New Member
Hi everyone! I have been researching chameleons for about a month now, spending a couple hours every day online reading. It seems like there is so much content out there saying how hard it is to have a panther chameleon, how it's not a beginner reptile, how only the most advanced person should own one, how they will die quickly if I hiccup loudly in their presence, etc.
Now, it's true: I have never owned a chameleon before. But I am familiar with extensive and complicated husbandry because I naively adopted sugar gliders 15 years ago and had to become an expert in marsupials, Australian arboreal environments, accidental breeding (the mama was pregnant), raising insects for feeding, including gut-loading, etc. Though I lost the gliders in a divorce, I did a good job for several years creating an environment that kept them not only healthy but as happy as they could be within the confines of captivity. (Side note: I do NOT recommend them as pets.) I also am experienced with finch husbandry and breeding (not extremely relevant, but...).
This all started because I don't have any pets at the moment and am interested in reptile husbandry. So I went to a (supposedly) reputable reptile store in my area and fell in love with a friendly adult male panther chameleon there. Everything I'm reading would suggest I should NOT make the purchase because of my inexperience. But I feel like my prior experience, combined with my commitment level, would mean I would be a good chameleon keeper.
I have the space for an enclosure, a reptile vet nearby, and all the time in the world to devote to learning about this. What do you all think, given your experience?
Now, it's true: I have never owned a chameleon before. But I am familiar with extensive and complicated husbandry because I naively adopted sugar gliders 15 years ago and had to become an expert in marsupials, Australian arboreal environments, accidental breeding (the mama was pregnant), raising insects for feeding, including gut-loading, etc. Though I lost the gliders in a divorce, I did a good job for several years creating an environment that kept them not only healthy but as happy as they could be within the confines of captivity. (Side note: I do NOT recommend them as pets.) I also am experienced with finch husbandry and breeding (not extremely relevant, but...).
This all started because I don't have any pets at the moment and am interested in reptile husbandry. So I went to a (supposedly) reputable reptile store in my area and fell in love with a friendly adult male panther chameleon there. Everything I'm reading would suggest I should NOT make the purchase because of my inexperience. But I feel like my prior experience, combined with my commitment level, would mean I would be a good chameleon keeper.
I have the space for an enclosure, a reptile vet nearby, and all the time in the world to devote to learning about this. What do you all think, given your experience?
sometimes I tend to ramble!
I had never had any reptiles ever and the most exotic animals I had were gerbils when I was a little kid. Without even knowing what a chameleon even really looked like irl, I adopted my stepdaughter’s female veiled. The stuff she came with was all wrong and had I not found the forum so quickly, it would have been a very sad experience. The biggest thing that you need to be aware of is that it is costly to set up properly for a chameleon. If you aren’t able or willing to spend in the vicinity of about $500 (not including the price of the chameleon), then you may want to either wait or rethink if you want one. Your experience has little really to do with it. It’s your willingness and ability to spend and learn. There are some awesome resources to learn. 
