Experienced but Struggling to Choose a New Chameleon

[ASublimeDay]

I'm interested in getting another chameleon. I've had 4 throughout my life (jacksons and veileds), but currently do not own any. I have a large set up and mister system ready to go.

I'd like a large, docile chameleon I can feed a nice varied diet. I'm between Oustalet's, Meller's, Parson's, and Spiny (warty, crocodile, whatever you'd like to call it).

Which has the most color variation among males and which have you had positive/negative experiences with? I'm having trouble finding any real differences outside of small variations in appearance.

I know temperament varies to some degree but my most recent chameleons were both veileds and the male was like a rabid pit bull if you got within two feet of the cage, so I'd like something GENERALLY more docile.

Thanks guys!

 

[Carlton]

I'm interested in getting another chameleon. I've had 4 throughout my life (jacksons and veileds), but currently do not own any. I have a large set up and mister system ready to go.

I'd like a large, docile chameleon I can feed a nice varied diet. I'm between Oustalet's, Meller's, Parson's, and Spiny (warty, crocodile, whatever you'd like to call it).

Which has the most color variation among males and which have you had positive/negative experiences with? I'm having trouble finding any real differences outside of small variations in appearance.

I know temperament varies to some degree but my most recent chameleons were both veileds and the male was like a rabid pit bull if you got within two feet of the cage, so I'd like something GENERALLY more docile.

Thanks guys!

From what I've heard on this forum Oustaletis tend to be gentle giants. They have a varied coloration that ranges in the browns, rusts, black and white. Melleri can be gentle, but there are individuals who are very stressy and reactive too. Unless you get a baby from a breeder directly, most on the market are wildcaught and can be difficult to acclimate. They also require a very large space. Melleri are extremely difficult to sex, so someone claiming they know the sex isn't being honest with you. The giant spiny (f. verrucosus) tend to be shy. They can have a beautiful range of coloration from resting colors in the brown/tan/white markings to a brilliant overcast of blues and greens. I'm biased, having kept them. Care is very similar to a panther. They don't need the huge space a melleri or Oustaleti or Parsoni would. Parsoni are impressive, but rare and very very very expensive. Few available and their breeders will be selective about who their babies go to.

 

[AACblackout]

I'm getting a hoehnelli pretty soon everything I have read seems tgey are very docile.

 

[Olimpia]

Meller's don't have a significant amount of variation, their patterns and colors are all pretty similar from one individual to another. One might be darker green and another more limeish but they are fairly similar. However I like that about them, since they aren't sexually dymorphic both genders are equally attractive, so you don't have that thing where males are colorful and ornate and the females are not. They are skiddish though, so even if they are gentle giants they are sensitive.

I agree with Carlton, the Oustalet's seem to have the most variety between male individuals. Possibly verrucosus as well but I have never dealt with them in person. The ousties were essentially like panthers, and had the same type of temperament if raised with hand-feeding.