AP711
New Member
Hi everyone,
I just joined this forum last night, and it really looks like an exceptional place to learn about chameleons!
I have always been intriqued by reptiles, although I have never really gotten into keeping them. I have been doing reef tanks, actually, for some time, and someone actually turned me onto leaopard geckos. Long story short, with a little curiosity, I was able to find this forum, and now I am hooked on chameleons!!
Since I am totally new to reptiles, I thought that maybe I could get some advice from the experts who have experience with chams. I may not have experience yet, but I understand the importance of researching and preparing. That is why I am in the planning stages right now, in the hopes of getting a Panther Nosy be when I move down to Florida in June.
Ok, now on to the learning part!
I have already talked to Grae in the chat room, and I have come to the concluesion that I will need a 2'x2'x4' cage as a bare minimum for the single Nosy be I plan ok keeping. Grae directed to a few sites, and I will easily be able to obtain a cage this size.
The part that is most hazy to me is the lighting. I understand that chams need a UV-A bulb, and a UV-B bulb. My main concern is that these lights emit UV, and I am wondering if they could potentially be harmful to my family or myself? What is the best UV-A, and UV-B lighting scheme on the market? Where could I possibly get these?
I also don't know how the temperature is supposed to be controlled. I have read that Nosy be chams like the day temp. to be arond 85F-90F. Is this achieved with just a fleurescent lamp, which acts as a heater? Also, how am I supposed to cool down the cage to around 70F at night?
One very important aspect, that I almost fully understand is giving chams water. I believe that I could easily design an automated misting system, no problem. What is the prefered method though? Is utilizing a drip method more effective, and easier on the cham?
The feeding seems fairly easy, just tedious. I will need to obtain a variety of bugs, weekly, and dust 'gut-load' them, and dust them with important vitamins. What do you recommend for supplements, and vitamins?
My last question for now is, where is a reputalbe dealer that would be able to ship to Florida?
Please bare with me, I am just starting, and I want to ensure that my future chameleon will have a good home.
Thank you very much!
I just joined this forum last night, and it really looks like an exceptional place to learn about chameleons!
I have always been intriqued by reptiles, although I have never really gotten into keeping them. I have been doing reef tanks, actually, for some time, and someone actually turned me onto leaopard geckos. Long story short, with a little curiosity, I was able to find this forum, and now I am hooked on chameleons!!
Since I am totally new to reptiles, I thought that maybe I could get some advice from the experts who have experience with chams. I may not have experience yet, but I understand the importance of researching and preparing. That is why I am in the planning stages right now, in the hopes of getting a Panther Nosy be when I move down to Florida in June.
Ok, now on to the learning part!
I have already talked to Grae in the chat room, and I have come to the concluesion that I will need a 2'x2'x4' cage as a bare minimum for the single Nosy be I plan ok keeping. Grae directed to a few sites, and I will easily be able to obtain a cage this size.
The part that is most hazy to me is the lighting. I understand that chams need a UV-A bulb, and a UV-B bulb. My main concern is that these lights emit UV, and I am wondering if they could potentially be harmful to my family or myself? What is the best UV-A, and UV-B lighting scheme on the market? Where could I possibly get these?
I also don't know how the temperature is supposed to be controlled. I have read that Nosy be chams like the day temp. to be arond 85F-90F. Is this achieved with just a fleurescent lamp, which acts as a heater? Also, how am I supposed to cool down the cage to around 70F at night?
One very important aspect, that I almost fully understand is giving chams water. I believe that I could easily design an automated misting system, no problem. What is the prefered method though? Is utilizing a drip method more effective, and easier on the cham?
The feeding seems fairly easy, just tedious. I will need to obtain a variety of bugs, weekly, and dust 'gut-load' them, and dust them with important vitamins. What do you recommend for supplements, and vitamins?
My last question for now is, where is a reputalbe dealer that would be able to ship to Florida?
Please bare with me, I am just starting, and I want to ensure that my future chameleon will have a good home.
Thank you very much!
