Camaleon 101 dont want to fail.

[Tabo]

Hi guys,
My four year son is asking me since last year for a Dinosaur, hahahaha I believe that a Chameleon will do the trick.

I went to my local store in Monterrey (Mexico) and ask for help, but they didn’t seems to know much about the animals. I check a few websites regarding the Chamaleons and I have a few questions…

1. It is a safe pet? (bites, diseases, etc)
2. Male or Female
3. What kind of camaleon is for beginners (the Jackson seems nice)
4. What kind of terranium is the best?
5. Makes a difference if I buy a 3 month old or a 6 month old?
6. How often is recommended to pet the Chamaleon.

Thanks guy, Hope someone will help me.

 

[OahuJacksons]

Hi guys,
My four year son is asking me since last year for a Dinosaur, hahahaha I believe that a Chameleon will do the trick.

1. It is a safe pet? (bites, diseases, etc)
Yes chameleons are a safe pet but they will bite if thfeeding wanna be grabbed. The diseases they can have and are very common is MBD Metobolic bone disease. (look up more on the forums via the search tap)
2. Male or Female
To tell the difference about Jackson chameleons are the horns. Male Jackson's have 3 horns and female has no horns, Female may have it but not as long as the male.
3. What kind of camaleon is for beginners (the Jackson seems nice)
The best chameleon for beginners I would say is ether adult or juvinial
4. What kind of terranium is the best?
The best would be a mesh screen cage about 24x24x38
5. Makes a difference if I buy a 3 month old or a 6 month old?
Yes it makes a difference the older it it less care but the younger it is more care is needed. That's on my opinion other people would say different.
6. How often is recommended to pet the Chamaleon.
Petting the chameleon is not very often, they are more of a look don't touch kind of pet. But u could hold it for a while, when u see him/her changing color then it's getting stressed out and wants to be put back.
Now I answers your questions to the best of my knowledge I hope it helps and good luck to u and your sons Cham.
-OahuJackaons

 

[kevbek]

1. As safe as they come! Its possible to get a pissy chameleon (one that doesnt enjoy humans) and those can bite if you try to handle them.....but generally this isnt the case. A chameleon will not incur disease/virus/venom or anything like that to humans.

2. male, females are more high maintence as they lay eggs regardless of whether they have mated or not. This can lead to problems males cant aquire (ex. egg binding)

3. Genreally jacksons, veiled, or panther chameleons are what people start off with.

4. Check in the care resources on the left side of the page. Chameleons require tall, well ventilated terrariums. See caresheet for further details it can get tricky.

5. Chameleons are generally not supposed to be sold young as they can die off. 3 months is fine, but a healthy 6 month old is more reassuring then a healthy 3 month old.

6. Not very often, but this has a lot to do with the personality of the specific chameleon. Some are friendly, some will hate you

hope i helped!!!

 

[little leaf]

Hi guys,
My four year son is asking me since last year for a Dinosaur, hahahaha I believe that a Chameleon will do the trick.

I went to my local store in Monterrey (Mexico) and ask for help, but they didn’t seems to know much about the animals. I check a few websites regarding the Chamaleons and I have a few questions…

1. It is a safe pet? (bites, diseases, etc)
2. Male or Female
3. What kind of camaleon is for beginners (the Jackson seems nice)
4. What kind of terranium is the best?
5. Makes a difference if I buy a 3 month old or a 6 month old?
6. How often is recommended to pet the Chamaleon.

Thanks guy, Hope someone will help me.

I think you would be better off with a bearded dragon -

1 )a chameleon is a safe pet for a 4 yr old, but a 4 yr old is NOT a safe bet for a chameleon - some can be quite fragile - and shy
2) a male for sure
3) Veiled or Panther are the most "forgiving" of husbandry mistakes, but that does not mean you do not have to follow the care sheet- they can get sick even if you follow it to a T - Jackson are not really recommended for a 1st cham, they have much more specif husbandry needs
4) in most cases, a scree cage is best- the bigger, the better for an adult -
5) for a child, I would not get anything younger than 6 mo
6) you dont pet chameleons some do enjoy people very much, and love to climb about on you , your head, and anything high - but that being said, some do not enjoy people AT ALL - you may be better off finding an adult who is in need of a new home- babies can start out sweet, and then turn all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on you - lol an adult will pretty much already be set in its personalty -
but, chameleons are alot of work, and you MUST follow the care sheet, you would need to do alot of research before you get one- they are great pets, but bearded dragons are known as the " puppy dogs " of the reptile world, they are more apt to set still on your childs lap, I have never seen a mean one- it would be a better introduction imho - and then work up to a cham - what ever you do, do NOT get one at a chain pet shop- there are many breeders on here who have very healthy chams of all ages for sale I am not tiring to discourage you- chams are great- I just think your child will have more fun w/ a dragon

 

[laurie]

Hello, I will just keep it short and sweet. I am not trying to be mean, rather i am trying to give you a realistic picture.

1. Chameleons are fragile. A 4 year old can not be expected to understand that.

2. You live in a very hot climate from what I know of Mexico, but this part could be wrong. But if I am correct you need to know that a jackson needs a cool, damp climate. If you can't provide this they will live for a while. But they will be slowly dying. That is awful for the chameleon.

Jacksons or most any chameleon, will mostly want left alone. The last thing they would want is a 4year old grabbing at them, and getting upset when they get bite. Chameleons do have teeth and they do bite. I can link some bite pictures here on the forum, if you want to see bite pictures.

Give your child, your climate, and what you want the pet for, I would agree, get a bearded dragon. They are the puppy dogs of the reptile world. I have had a good number of beardies (bearded dragon) and half my neighbor kids came to play with them. Also beardies love hot weather.

Good Luck with what ever you select.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

I've kept reptiles for four decades. Worked in the pet industry for 15. Many times I would steer a customer to animals that were within their expectations and within their ability to care for.

You do not want a chameleon under the circumstances you provided.

My 7 yr old has a bearded dragon that she is able to care for with minimal assistance from her father. The set up is key.


The animal needs a source of UVB during the day, I use a Halogen bulb for UVB and heat. No other electrical products. The light is on a timer. 12 hrs a day. Night temps can drop to the low 70's with no issue.

The animal eats both live food and veggies. I only give a calcium supplement on the veggies once a week. During the summer I have an outdoor enclosure the animal stay in for about 6 months of the year. The animal we have is 4 years old, so my daughter has had it since she was 3.

Stay away from the chameleons until you are ready for 10 times the work of a bearded dragon.

Hope that helps