Carpet or Panther?

[lily2521]

We will be new chameleon owners (I'm defiantly doing time to research and prepare before bringing one home). I'm trying to weigh the pros/cons of getting either a carpet chameleon, or a panther, I don't know which one to get. I'm aware of handling restrictions with chameleons, but I'd like to *try* to get a more docile one to start, so that cage cleanings, etc. or any other interaction I have to have is easier for everyone

Panther - I like that their Colors are so beautiful, we'd get a male, so no need to worry about eggs. I also like that they seem to be more docile (I know this can vary depending on the animal itself). A downside for me is their grown size (about how big are they, excluding the tail?)

Carpet - appealing to me is the small size. Colors are beautiful. With a carpet chameleon though I think we'd get a female, so we'd have to worry about eggs and being first time owners that's a concern of mine. I don't know much about their overall temperament, anyone have advice here, again, I know it can vary from cham to cham? The biggest appeal to me here is the size overall.

If anyone can offer advice here it'd be greatly appreciated

 

[Dez]

Carpets are very very shy. They also have a shorter life span living about 3 to 4 years where a panther can live 5+

Carpets mature at 6 months old.

I interact with my panthers often.. handfeed and let them free range. I never do that with the carpets because of their shyness

My female carpets tend to drop their eggs so even if I set up a laying bin my girl never use it. just plop them all over the place.. I only had one girl actually dig.

 

[maya2]

First of all, I'm no expert.
I've got one veiled and one carpet, but I've never owned a panther.

I could be off here, but I don't think the breed will matter as much as the source of where you get them. I've heard mixed things on how docile or aggressive various chameleons are, and that it has a lot to do with the individual.
I will say that my carpet, Telo, is super chill. He lets me take him out no prob, I hand feed him every day and he's never hesitated since day 1. I believe a strong reason for this is that I got him from a breeder on this site, Kevin Stanford aka Dooley1.

He's fantastic and if you're considering a carpet I would STRONGLY suggest waiting until his next clutch is available. Especially since there aren't nearly as many carpet breeders, it would probably be difficult to get a carpet as great as one of Kevins.
Here's an article he wrote about them.
http://chameleonnews.com/06MayStanford.html

That being said, there are a lot more panther breeders and it might be easier to get a fantastic panther from a forum member.

 

[Ekproject]

I have had both carpets and panthers. Panthers are way easier to handle and deal with in that sense. Also found them less fussy. If i had to give you my personal opinion i would say go with panther. Although. Nothing beats a female carpets colours. Absolutely beautiful.

 

[chameleonfrenzy]

I think you would be really thrilled with a male Panther they are by far my favorite chameleon, and with many variations of color you can choose your preference. Making them docile will be the same with most chameleons a lot of it varies by individual but with consistant interaction you shouldn't have any problem with taming it no matter what individual you get. As far as size of male panthers, tip of nose to vent will vary from 7" to 10" depending on the lineage. Hope this helps

 

[LilBlue]

This is my 2.5 year old male panther for a size. I think you should get a Panther

 

[RyU]

I have had both carpets and panthers. Panthers are way easier to handle and deal with in that sense. Also found them less fussy. If i had to give you my personal opinion i would say go with panther. Although. Nothing beats a female carpets colours. Absolutely beautiful.

Same. Gravid female carpets are just awesome to look at. I would recommend a female carpet if you like the small size and color, but as a beginner, I would advise start with a panther. Not to say you won't do well with a carpet, but I find mine were harder to start feeding, and caring for because of their shy nature. Panthers will just come and snap stuff out of your hand.

 

[kplatvoet]

Have you considered any other small species ? There have been a few members who've been doing well with some of the smaller montane species like hoehnelii and sternfeldi. I do not recommend a wild caught of either for a newbie - and I wouldn't suggest it for a first if your in a part of the country where it's very dry without some experience either, but since your willing to do your research it might be something to consider. Being a sort of newbie myself I'm sort of hoping some of the more experienced keepers will come up with some pro's and cons on some other species for newer keepers-

 

[lily2521]

First of all, I'm no expert.
I've got one veiled and one carpet, but I've never owned a panther.

I could be off here, but I don't think the breed will matter as much as the source of where you get them. I've heard mixed things on how docile or aggressive various chameleons are, and that it has a lot to do with the individual.
I will say that my carpet, Telo, is super chill. He lets me take him out no prob, I hand feed him every day and he's never hesitated since day 1. I believe a strong reason for this is that I got him from a breeder on this site, Kevin Stanford aka Dooley1.

He's fantastic and if you're considering a carpet I would STRONGLY suggest waiting until his next clutch is available. Especially since there aren't nearly as many carpet breeders, it would probably be difficult to get a carpet as great as one of Kevins.
Here's an article he wrote about them.
http://chameleonnews.com/06MayStanford.html

That being said, there are a lot more panther breeders and it might be easier to get a fantastic panther from a forum member.

Thanks for the advice, I'm still really torn but the more and more I think things through I'm leaning towards a male carpet, I love the idea of their smaller size, and a smaller cage. Plus I think their look is so unique. I think I'd go male simply to avoid having to deal with eggs, I'm not ready for that since this will be my first cham.

Is yours a male? If so I'd love to see pics How old was he when you got him, and how old is he now? I've emailed several carpet breeders and none seem to have any available now.

Is PM the best way to get in touch with Dooley1? Also, are his carpets captive bred? Again, as a new cham owner from what I'm reading I really don't want to deal with wild bred.

Thanks!