So this will be my first chameleon I've got a 15-25-30 mesh enclosure with coconut fiber and moss as the substrate I know substrate is usually frowned upon with chameleons but I live in Colorado and its really hard to keep the humidity up in mesh I have a big live plant can't remember the name of it and UVB bulbs basking light all the stuff for a chameleon now it's just time for the chameleon. I really want a panther but don't want to spend a minimum of 300 for something I don't know if I can keep alive. I found a mating pair of Jackson's for 80 dollars that I was thinking of but after reading on them it seems that there one of the more finicky chameleons I also found some senegals for 20 each but I couldn't find much on them so I guess my question is what's the best starter chameleon. I'd really like to try to breed and sell the Jackson's to help save up for a panther but don't know if it's a good idea
Deciding on a chameleon
- Thread starter Sample789
- Start date
Flapenn
New Member
I would recommend not using substrate. If you post some pics of your setup and specific details im certain more experienced members will get you on track for success. After your 100% sure your setup correct for a cham you can happily purchase which ever one you want, maybe even a panther
This way you will have no worry weather or not you can even keep it alive.Elizadolots
New Member
Hi!
Welcome to the forum. Please do not buy chameleons with the idea of breeding them for money. That's only really a good option for people with loads of experience.
Instead, buy a chameleon because it's going to be fun and wonderful. If, down the road, breeding seems reasonable, you can go there.
I would second the suggestion to get a veiled as your first chameleon. Veileds are a bit hardier than some chameleons so can withstand the "learning curve" better than others. Also, it's much easier to get a captive bred vieled than it is to get any other species captive bred. Captive bred means you are less concerned with "what the wild world did" to your chameleon.
I'll also second the "no substrate" suggestion...I've tried lots. NOTHING is the best. You can use other tricks to keep the humidity up.
Welcome to the forum. Please do not buy chameleons with the idea of breeding them for money. That's only really a good option for people with loads of experience.
Instead, buy a chameleon because it's going to be fun and wonderful. If, down the road, breeding seems reasonable, you can go there.
I would second the suggestion to get a veiled as your first chameleon. Veileds are a bit hardier than some chameleons so can withstand the "learning curve" better than others. Also, it's much easier to get a captive bred vieled than it is to get any other species captive bred. Captive bred means you are less concerned with "what the wild world did" to your chameleon.
I'll also second the "no substrate" suggestion...I've tried lots. NOTHING is the best. You can use other tricks to keep the humidity up.
Playdo
New Member
Like the others I don't recommend the substrate but whatever works for you. Also I own a few Jackson's and they aren't too grumpy. When young, YES. I think that they are one of the least sociable when young but I wouldn't know. But all my young ones hated me as I raised them but now they all seem to really like me. They're very social. But require a lot of humidity. I live in Hawaii, it's very humid and thick here but I still have cool mist humidifiers for each cage. Anyways whichever you pick I hope you love them. Enjoy
What's the big deal with the substrate the most I've heard is when they attack something if they miss they bring in the substrate and can get an infection but if there arboreal they should never even touch the substrate just my thoughts I'm sure I'm wrong since I have no experience but hey that's why I joined these forums
camimom
New Member
Well like you said if they eat it, they chance getting impacted.
Just becuase they live in trees, does not mean they dont go to the floor.
THey will go down there eventually, to explore, look for food, cool off, etc.
If its a female, they go down to look for a suitable places to lay eggs.
Even if we cup feed, or hand feed, if a bug is loose in the cage, or the cham thinks theres a bug loose in the cage, they will go explore the floor, and if they find a bug on the bottom, or think they do.. they will try to eat it.
better to play it safe than sorry.
And veileds, are notorious for eating vegitation.
justjumpit621
New Member
Yeah a lot of chameleons will be found actually EATING their substrate, not just getting some with a bug. Especially veileds. I think a veield is a good choice as well, but I personally love my little panther boy too He is such a sweetheart.
He is such a sweetheart.
lilbug
New Member
I have seen ones in pets store that use substrate and they not only eat it but can get it in their eyes while digging.
I live in southern alberta and we are extremely dry here, not bodies of water very little rain and very high tempatures in the summer. I have a veiled and she does fine in a screen cage with the low humidity. I mist her a few times a day and put her on a plant in the shower with the bathroom door closed. Veiled are a hardy chameleon.
I live in southern alberta and we are extremely dry here, not bodies of water very little rain and very high tempatures in the summer. I have a veiled and she does fine in a screen cage with the low humidity. I mist her a few times a day and put her on a plant in the shower with the bathroom door closed. Veiled are a hardy chameleon.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
I've never understood the fear of having a substrate like organic soil in the cage. Especially since we advocate keeping a 12" bucket full of sand or dirt for females permanently... BUT call me crazy!
At any rate, there are places where you can find panthers for under $200 if you look around. Search Kingsnake.com and Faunaclassifieds.com to look around for the animal and price that best suits you, whether it's a panther, veiled, etc. But make sure he is not WC (wild caught), because they'll do better in captivity.
At any rate, there are places where you can find panthers for under $200 if you look around. Search Kingsnake.com and Faunaclassifieds.com to look around for the animal and price that best suits you, whether it's a panther, veiled, etc. But make sure he is not WC (wild caught), because they'll do better in captivity.
