First time buyer

[RandD]

Hey I am a first time buyer for a chameleon and I was looking for some advice. I own a bearded dragon and I think hes a great pet and I am wanting to expend into the world of Chameleons. I just had a few general questions.

Wheres a good place to buy them?
Whats a good age?
Do you clean their cage weekly? Monthly?
Can you set up a realistic habitat using live plants and dirt?

I understand the use of the humidity drippers / misters / heating lamps. I am good on all that. I just couldn't find any real information concerning bedding and habitats. The ones I've seen are all in pet stores and it looks all artificial.

 

[ridgebax1]

There is a thread called Enclosures and supplies on this forum, https://www.chameleonforums.com/enclosures-supplies/ if you go there you will see all kinds of information on what enclosures are needed, pictures etc.
Generally bigger is better for size, most people use a screen cage with the minimum height being 30 inches. My enclosure is 24x24x48. No substrate is recommended and live plants are best as they help maintain humidity. There is also a safe plant list, most folks use ficus, schefflera, hibiscus and pothos. The chameleon is an arboreal animal so it needs lots of branches for horizontal and vertical climbing. They sleep holding onto a branch, most have a favorite sleeping spot but my guy switches from two or three spots.

 

[carol5208]

The best place to buy is from one of our members or one of our site sponsors(upper right hand corner). A veild or Panther is a good starter chameleon and it should be atleast 2 months or older before it is sold. Check out on the home page the box on the right "Chameleon Care, Start Here" it will answer just about every question you need to get set up and started.