Beginner Cham

[VerucaSalt]

Knowing what you know now--all your hard lessons, research, advice, etc...what specific Chameleon would you have started with as a novice?

While my guy is healthy for the time being, the steep learning curve and continued adj to care, I definitely would not have choose a Jackson...with no prev reptile expierence. But, with that being said, he is a remarkably friendly Cham, prefers to be on my head, and waits at one spot in his cage when he wishes to come out, another when he wishes to be misted/drink....I feel he is in the process of training me lol.

 

[JacksJill]

I know Jackson's are not considered a perfect beginner chameleon. I believe that might be partially because of their additional hydration requirements and inability to handle excessive supplements. The real reason not to start with a Jackson's is that the cheap ones you see in pet stores tend to be wild caught recently imported inbred specimens that already have on foot in the grave (as you know).

There are plenty of people who started out with jackson's in previous decades when they were the only available chameleon. If you get a well bred Jackson's from well kept captive parents they shouldn't be that much harder than any panther or veiled. You just have to accept the fact that you will need to spend the money on a misting system (unless you work from home & have a good pet sitter), live plants, some kind of drainage, maybe even a cool mist humidifier and don't over supplement.

Panthers and veiled might be easier but females will require a laying bin and if you live somewhere dry they will need most of the above. Wild caught or poorly bred will increase the difficulty regardless of species.

 

[Remkon]

Care and personality wise I think a panther is the ideal starter chameleon if I had to name one...

That being said I think no chameleon is a beginner chameleon for people that start with chameleons unprepared or poorly prepared, sadly there are still a lot if those.

I also think quite a few species would make a decent starter chameleon with proper preperation.

Caring for reptiles has never neen easier, with better supplements, better quality lighting and technology taking over our routines for misting, lighting and even temperature and humidity regulation.

 

[jamest0o0]

Depends, if it was my first reptile, probably panther as they're beautiful, usually chill, entertaining, and hardy. I got into this hobby with a lot of prior reptile experience though, so with that I wish I would have started with montane's. My Parsons is probably my favorite reptile of all I've ever had. I also love the quads/gracilior, Jacksons, montium, and so many more. the montane's all have such a unique look to them. And also, one of my favorite parts is going all out on the habitat and enclosure, and montane's fit the traditional rainforest-looking, densely planted, high humidity set up that most of us start out thinking all chameleons come from.

 

[VerucaSalt]

Well said---i def agree a Cham is not a beginner reptile by any means and should have worded it a bit differently.

I'm ridiculously intimidated by female Chams for the same reason @JacksJill and reading on the egg clutch sizes, incubation, and become bound, etc...

I honestly don't believe with just research I did online prior to this forum and the misadvice the chain kept feeding me that made me question everything I had thought to be true, that my little one would have pulled thru in the beginning.

I def have a lot to do for him before ever considering starting any new developments. Aside from some leaf bugs and mantis--but that's all relative to him as well lol.

 

[VerucaSalt]

Depends, if it was my first reptile, probably panther as they're beautiful, usually chill, entertaining, and hardy. I got into this hobby with a lot of prior reptile experience though, so with that I wish I would have started with montane's. My Parsons is probably my favorite reptile of all I've ever had. I also love the quads/gracilior, Jacksons, montium, and so many more. the montane's all have such a unique look to them. And also, one of my favorite parts is going all out on the habitat and enclosure, and montane's fit the traditional rainforest-looking, densely planted, high humidity set up that most of us start out thinking all chameleons come from.

The enclosure you pictured speaks volumes for your passion. That's/Something equivalent what should have been in place weeks prior in my situation. I love the diversity of the plants in species and colors in the cage you pictured recently.

 

[Goose502]

Lol, the best “starter” chameleon? This is funny to say, but I believe it’s actually a good idea. Start with those long skinny “chameleons” that are all over Florida and Hawaii. The green anole is hardy, pretty forgiving, inexpensive, and if you can keep them alive and happy in captivity, you may actually be ready to take on a real chameleon. Any chameleon is technically best suited for an intermediate keeper or better. There is a lot to learn and understand before a chameleon should even be considered. I get frustrated seeing all the dying veiled chameleons on the forum. They are dying due to poor husbandry. This could be prevented with a good deal of basic reptile experience.

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

I love the diversity of the plants in species and colors in the cage you pictured recently.

I absolutely agree, except that is how I feel about all plants. That is one of the things that I love about chameleons, along with taking care of the chameleon, you also have to take care of the chameleon plants!
Someday I dream of having a room full of plants where there are no scary birds or loud noises where I can let my chameleon free-range through a literal indoor jungle!

 

[VerucaSalt]

Lol, the best “starter” chameleon? This is funny to say, but I believe it’s actually a good idea. Start with those long skinny “chameleons” that are all over Florida and Hawaii. The green anole is hardy, pretty forgiving, inexpensive, and if you can keep them alive and happy in captivity, you may actually be ready to take on a real chameleon. Any chameleon is technically best suited for an intermediate keeper or better. There is a lot to learn and understand before a chameleon should even be considered. I get frustrated seeing all the dying veiled chameleons on the forum. They are dying due to poor husbandry. This could be prevented with a good deal of basic reptile experience.

I agree, I didn't word the best. They're such stunning living art--and then when they add in any personality, whether it's a grump who wishes nothing to do with you aside from collect water & food or an outgoing guy who wishes to explore every inch, they're a marvel.

I absolutely agree, except that is how I feel about all plants. That is one of the things that I love about chameleons, along with taking care of the chameleon, you also have to take care of the chameleon plants!
Someday I dream of having a room full of plants where there are no scary birds or loud noises where I can let my chameleon free-range through a literal indoor jungle!

I agree, a jungle room would be wonderful!! I had no idea my green interests would get to expand into a branch that included wishes of big bugs

 

[jamest0o0]

Great points brought up here. Honestly, people like you @VerucaSalt are not the problem. We all have made on the spot purchases at some point. I see you on here asking questions, doing everything you can each day, taking everyone's advice. Those are qualities of a great chameleon/animal keeper. If you are here for awhile, you will see why some of the regular members get a little short of patience. Almost daily, stubborn people come on here with chameleons doomed to die or with terribly husbandry, unwilling to take any advice. You'll notice the community is split by people that see them as animals, meant to be treated and kept like animals(not people), that are living art and then the people that see them as their property/toys to do whatever they wish with.

 

[Fiona's Mom]

I think the 1st thing a new owner needs to realize is the high expence of it's husbandry. I often see where situations arise that they need to make adjustments to their environment...add plants etc. or the cham needs vet care and so many times they can't do it because of financial situation. Now I am not saying you need to be rich...they just need to know the expense is a lot different than a dog or cat.

 

[VerucaSalt]

I think the 1st thing a new owner needs to realize is the high expence of it's husbandry. I often see where situations arise that they need to make adjustments to their environment...add plants etc. or the cham needs vet care and so many times they can't do it because of financial situation. Now I am not saying you need to be rich...they just need to know the expense is a lot different than a dog or cat.

Absolutely!! It's uncanny that they are presented in the same manoma as a pet mouse or goldfish by many pet store chains......it is a huge issue that they are treated merely like another store product rather than a living being with soecicsp requirements.

Absolutely!!! Not to generalize, but I've seen reptiles in comparison to getting a

Great points brought up here. Honestly, people like you @VerucaSalt are not the problem. We all have made on the spot purchases at some point. I see you on here asking questions, doing everything you can each day, taking everyone's advice. Those are qualities of a great chameleon/animal keeper. If you are here for awhile, you will see why some of the regular members get a little short of patience. Almost daily, stubborn people come on here with chameleons doomed to die or with terribly husbandry, unwilling to take any advice. You'll notice the community is split by people that see them as animals, meant to be treated and kept like animals(not people), that are living art and then the people that see them as their property/toys to do whatever they wish with.

I appreciate all the help many have given here. While I love the availability of the species for home keepers....I really wish there were regulations in regards to the pet stores, but I suppose that would require everyone selling, or even as far as anyone wishing to own one being effected. I have noticed so many issues, in such short time on here....I guess what always shocks me are the people who have one pass from lack of care, that go buy another, put it right back in the exact scenario/same cage sometimes with no regard. I always hope a family friend will happen to be a Cham expert and be able to step in and aide at bare min.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Well said---i def agree a Cham is not a beginner reptile by any means and should have worded it a bit differently.

I'm ridiculously intimidated by female Chams for the same reason @JacksJill and reading on the egg clutch sizes, incubation, and become bound, etc...

I honestly don't believe with just research I did online prior to this forum and the misadvice the chain kept feeding me that made me question everything I had thought to be true, that my little one would have pulled thru in the beginning.

I def have a lot to do for him before ever considering starting any new developments. Aside from some leaf bugs and mantis--but that's all relative to him as well lol.

That’s funny you say that . I hear lots of keeper being terrified of females . I love my girls . It’s a bit different in feeding and temperatures . Of course have to have lay bins with egg laying species , their certainly can be more issues with females . I do not have experience with Montane species I can’t speak there . I can say as @Remkon said with a good set up all is done for one . The research needs to be done . The set up needs to be set up prior to what ever species picked . We keep panthers , and veiled they care is much alike . We are not new to reptiles 30 + year keeping bearded dragons and geckos . Only 2 of chameleons .