Best Type of Chameleon and a few more questions.

[LunaLovegood]

Hey! I am new to this forum but I am really considering getting a Chameleon. I really want a Jackson's Chameleon because of their cool look and they seem easier to care for and not too big. I want to be able to hold the Chameleon at least some of the time but I understand if that isn't possible because I have heard they get stressed easily. Do you know what kind of Chameleon is the most "affectionate" or should I just choose another lizard? Also, I want to know how much food I should give him/her every day (or whenever) my mom heard that it was 6 crickets every day and I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online. Thanks.

 

[Classy]

Okay, there isn't really a best chameleon. Chameleons are better left alone than being held. Holding them too much can cause stress and eventually kill them. They eat depending on their age, look at the care sheets for more info on that. Jacksons are more sensitive to changes than a panther or veiled. For a beginner, I'd recommend a panther or Veiled. Good luck and welcome!

 

[Monta]

Hey! I am new to this forum but I am really considering getting a Chameleon. I really want a Jackson's Chameleon because of their cool look and they seem easier to care for and not too big. I want to be able to hold the Chameleon at least some of the time but I understand if that isn't possible because I have heard they get stressed easily. Do you know what kind of Chameleon is the most "affectionate" or should I just choose another lizard? Also, I want to know how much food I should give him/her every day (or whenever) my mom heard that it was 6 crickets every day and I haven't been able to find a definitive answer online. Thanks.

I got a Panther I really enjoy him. I hold mine at least 3 times a day. Most of the time he comes to the door and starts to climb on it ,he wants out ... I can't say no . I'm retired so I'm around him all time. He's one of the best pets I've every had

 

[LunaLovegood]

Okay, there isn't really a best chameleon. Chameleons are better left alone than being held. Holding them too much can cause stress and eventually kill them. They eat depending on their age, look at the care sheets for more info on that. Jacksons are more sensitive to changes than a panther or veiled. For a beginner, I'd recommend a panther or Veiled. Good luck and welcome!

Thanks! I wanted to get a Jackson's because of their size and I heard that they were friendly somewhere. Are Panthers smaller than Veiled because Panther's have those amazing colors?

 

[Katacara]

I agree with Classy, there is no "best cham" they are all wonderful lizards. With that said there is a lot of things to consider before jumping in. They all have specific requirements, that must be meet! They all have different personality's. DO RESEARCH FIRST!! Its great you started here before getting a cham! DO NOT buy from a pet store! There are fantastic breeders here that you can trust go with them or another trustworthy source. Starting with a healthy cham makes all the difference! Cham's are a expensive pet, and there are a lot of supplies you need!

If you want a reptile you can hold, cuddle and snuggle with consider a breaded dragon, but again DO RESEARCH FIRST! You can check out beardeddragon.org for more information. I do not know where you live but there are a few posts of dragons free to good homes right now.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from a cham, just giving you facts and options. Here is a list of research links for chams to get you started

Chameleon Care
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

Veiled and panther care sheet
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleon-care-sheet-veiled-and-panthers.154/

Safe Plants
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/safe-plant-list-by-captive-creations.627/

Gutloading blog list
https://www.chameleonforums.com/search/957257/?q=gutloading&t=ubs_blog_entry&o=relevance

Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Part 1
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.395/

Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Part 2
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-care-sheet-part-2.396/

 

[LunaLovegood]

I agree with Classy, there is no "best cham" they are all wonderful lizards. With that said there is a lot of things to consider before jumping in. They all have specific requirements, that must be meet! They all have different personality's. DO RESEARCH FIRST!! Its great you started here before getting a cham! DO NOT buy from a pet store! There are fantastic breeders here that you can trust go with them or another trustworthy source. Starting with a healthy cham makes all the difference! Cham's are a expensive pet, and there are a lot of supplies you need!

If you want a reptile you can hold, cuddle and snuggle with consider a breaded dragon, but again DO RESEARCH FIRST! You can check out beardeddragon.org for more information. I do not know where you live but there are a few posts of dragons free to good homes right now.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from a cham, just giving you facts and options. Here is a list of research links for chams to get you started

Chameleon Care
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

Veiled and panther care sheet
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleon-care-sheet-veiled-and-panthers.154/

Safe Plants
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/safe-plant-list-by-captive-creations.627/

Gutloading blog list
https://www.chameleonforums.com/search/957257/?q=gutloading&t=ubs_blog_entry&o=relevance

Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Part 1
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.395/

Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Part 2
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-care-sheet-part-2.396/

Thanks for the links! I really wanted to get a bearded dragon but my friend already has one and I don't want her to think I am copying because that is her only pet. At the moment, I'm thinking either a Jackson's or a Panther's chameleon but I'm looking at other types of lizards as well however I haven't found one yet that seems like a good fit (besides chameleons).

 

[Monta]

Thanks! I wanted to get a Jackson's because of their size and I heard that they were friendly somewhere. Are Panthers smaller than Veiled because Panther's have those amazing colors?

How can you not love this face and colors LOL. I'm not sure on the size between the two. I just went with one of the most colorful ...panthers

 

[LunaLovegood]

How can you not love this face and colors LOL. I'm not sure on the size between the two. I just went with one of the most colorful ...panthers

Yea, Panthers (chameleons) are definitely amazing animals! I heard that they can turn blue and red and orange which is really cool. Do Jackson's have a wide range of colors?

 

[jamest0o0]

I don't think Jackson's are any more difficult, they just have different care. Pick out the one you like and research. Panthers and oustalet seem to be the most holdable. No chams should really be purchased for the purpose of holding them though, it's more of a nice secondary trait some of them have.

 

[jamest0o0]

Panthers have hands down best colors of anything you'll come across as a casual keeper

 

[JoeDigiorgio]

It's not that Jacksons are difficult to keep, the problem is getting your hands on a Jacksons that's well started enough to be appropriate for someone on their first chameleon. Plenty of sellers will market fresh imports as so just because it ate and drank since arriving to them. It takes months to get a wild caught chameleon truly adjusted to captivity, many many die.

99% of Jacksons on the market are freshly imported wild caught. That does make them significantly more difficult for a new keeper. Even a wild panther or veiled is a little much for a new chameleon keeper. And a wild caught can't ever be expected to become accustomed to any handling whatsoever while a captive bred, young animal can easily do so.

If you want a handleable chameleon keep your eyes on the for sale page here for rehoming pets. That's far and away your best bet for a well adjusted chameleon not coming straight from a pet store.

 

[LunaLovegood]

It's not that Jacksons are difficult to keep, the problem is getting your hands on a Jacksons that's well started enough to be appropriate for someone on their first chameleon. Plenty of sellers will market fresh imports as so just because it ate and drank since arriving to them. It takes months to get a wild caught chameleon truly adjusted to captivity, many many die.

99% of Jacksons on the market are freshly imported wild caught. That does make them significantly more difficult for a new keeper. Even a wild panther or veiled is a little much for a new chameleon keeper. And a wild caught can't ever be expected to become accustomed to any handling whatsoever while a captive bred, young animal can easily do so.

If you want a handleable chameleon keep your eyes on the for sale page here for rehoming pets. That's far and away your best bet for a well adjusted chameleon not coming straight from a pet store.

Oh, I didn't know about the wild caught thing. I really don't want to get a wild-caught chameleon since this would be my first one and I don't want to do anything wrong to stress it out.

 

[Katacara]

@Chameleophlaged has just begun breeding jackson's so hopefully we will have babies available soon that are not wild caught!! I don't know where he is in the process. If you decide to go with a panther I (and so many other people here) HIGHLY recommend @Matt Vanilla Gorilla he rocks!! and will be there to help you with anything you need.

This is a great blog that I forgot to include with the others. You should really take a look. Expect to spend at least $1000 (to do it right) just for start up, and that doesn't count the cost of the cham. Like I said before, its a expensive hobby! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-a-chameleon.833/

Please make your choice wisely, based on what is right for you, not what your friends do or do not have for pets!!! It doesn't matter if your friend already has a dragon, who cares. If you want a dragon but get a cham I do not think you would be very happy in the long run, and that will show in your care. Pets should not be used as status symbols.

How much support is your family willing to provide? Both in helping you care for your cham and financial help?

 

[LunaLovegood]

@Chameleophlaged has just begun breeding jackson's so hopefully we will have babies available soon that are not wild caught!! I don't know where he is in the process. If you decide to go with a panther I (and so many other people here) HIGHLY recommend @Matt Vanilla Gorilla he rocks!! and will be there to help you with anything you need.

This is a great blog that I forgot to include with the others. You should really take a look. Expect to spend at least $1000 (to do it right) just for start up, and that doesn't count the cost of the cham. Like I said before, its a expensive hobby! https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-a-chameleon.833/

Please make your choice wisely, based on what is right for you, not what your friends do or do not have for pets!!! It doesn't matter if your friend already has a dragon, who cares. If you want a dragon but get a cham I do not think you would be very happy in the long run, and that will show in your care. Pets should not be used as status symbols.

How much support is your family willing to provide? Both in helping you care for your cham and financial help?

I have a pet bird which I help care for. If I were to get a cham I would be the "sole provider" but they would help pay for the supplies and such (at least I think so!). I didn't know it cost that much in total, but my pet parrot cost around 1000 dollars for her plus her setup and toys (and food). My friend wants a bird as well and I don't want her to feel like her pet isn't special anymore because I have the same one. Also, her bearded dragon is kind of ferocious and skittish and doesn't really like to be held. I didn't know that bearded dragons were even okay to hold until I looked it up.

 

[Katacara]

Check out the bearded dragon forum https://www.beardeddragon.org/. Most dragons love to cuddle, although they also have their own personalities. I would assume that it is the care (or lack there of) your friend has been providing that is making her dragon like that. She probably is not handling it enough, or not handling it correctly. Reptiles are nothing like birds! Make sure your parents are going to help you with the ongoing costs of owning a reptile (any reptile) because they are all expensive! And make sure they know that the electric bill will go up as well because reptiles need a basking light, and a UVB light on all day (10-12 hour cycle)

 

[jamest0o0]

@JoeDigiorgio good point, I just look at wild caughts as if they were another species. CB should be the only way for a new person

 

[jamest0o0]

There's a dude here that just hatched some ousti's, they're hardy and are very tame from what I hear. They are also pretty large. Only downside is the colors are a bit dull, but it's something different and I like the larger chill lizards over the colors anyway. JMO

 

[funnyCAT140]

I have a pet bird which I help care for. If I were to get a cham I would be the "sole provider" but they would help pay for the supplies and such (at least I think so!). I didn't know it cost that much in total, but my pet parrot cost around 1000 dollars for her plus her setup and toys (and food). My friend wants a bird as well and I don't want her to feel like her pet isn't special anymore because I have the same one. Also, her bearded dragon is kind of ferocious and skittish and doesn't really like to be held. I didn't know that bearded dragons were even okay to hold until I looked it up.

Have you ever kept reptiles before?

 

[Monta]

I have a pet bird which I help care for. If I were to get a cham I would be the "sole provider" but they would help pay for the supplies and such (at least I think so!). I didn't know it cost that much in total, but my pet parrot cost around 1000 dollars for her plus her setup and toys (and food). My friend wants a bird as well and I don't want her to feel like her pet isn't special anymore because I have the same one. Also, her bearded dragon is kind of ferocious and skittish and doesn't really like to be held. I didn't know that bearded dragons were even okay to hold until I looked it up.

What kind of parrot do you have?

 

[LunaLovegood]

Have you ever kept reptiles before?

No, I have not. I have kept hermit crabs (it was a long time ago and they died) and fish and I have a dog. Not reptiles though. I've always wanted to since I have caught them in the wild and kept them for like half a day. I love baby iguanas in the wild but I would never get an iguana because they grow HUGE.

What kind of parrot do you have?

I have a crimson bellied-conure. Similar to a green cheek conure, but more colors. She is the sweetest thing.