Buying my first 2 chameleons next week

[jordaaan905]

hi so im new to chameleons but not to reptiles and animals in general ive owned lizards before and worked with animals for 4 years can you keep 2 chameleons together? i heard you cant but in that case can they be kept in close proximity ive built a cage on an old aquarium stand and was thinking of just putting a divider in the middle and having them be neighbors but i read that if they smell other chameleons they will get stressed out any truth to this? ill be getting a male and female veiled chameleon both are babies

 

[Solid Snake]

Congradulations! Welcome! The divider would work, the "smell" of another one will not bother them

 

[EvilLost]

smell will not bother them, but SIGHT will

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum Definitely best not to let them see each other, just block los and you'll be ok with them. Mine are in the same room and there is no problem. Here's a great caresheet on Veileds, it has all the basics you'll need to know - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[creep]

welcome! and good luck with the new additions! i have 2 veiled chams my self male and female, which are housed in the same cage, however i have it divided down the middle with a solid barrier, so they cannot see each other at all.

Just make sure u have a basking light for both lizards, and the uv light reaches both side adequately

 

[Red7ny1]

Ok , now I have a question on the same lines : I was at a pet store tonight and the girl working there said it's best to start off with 2 sub-adults in the same cage . I was going to buy just 1 to begin with . Is it best to buy 2 and keep them together ?? I was thinking about a veiled chameleon , then a Jackson's down the road when I get more knowledge of chams .

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

No, the pet store employee was mistaken. There is no need to keep two chameleons in the same cage, and even though some young chams will tolerate it, many do very poorly when housed together as they compete over food, basking and territory. Even young ones who tolerate it will quickly grow out of it. One cage, one cham.

Here are some frequently asked questions answered to get you started: https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/

 

[Red7ny1]

No, the pet store employee was mistaken. There is no need to keep two chameleons in the same cage, and even though some young chams will tolerate it, many do very poorly when housed together as they compete over food, basking and territory. Even young ones who tolerate it will quickly grow out of it. One cage, one cham.

Here are some frequently asked questions answered to get you started: https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/

Ty ... I've been reading alot and trying to research as much as I can before getting my first chameleon . I'd rather talk to people like you that have them , as opposed to reading what ' experts ' say .

 

[Ashlovesem]

Post pics soon! And good luck