Help me expert people

[NickyChameleon]

Hey guys, so I am definitely getting a chameleon, but I don't have a gigantic cage like you guys. I've got an 18" by 18" by 24" tall cage. I'm getting a UVA/B bulb soon, my hood broke so I'm getting a new one. I've got a bunch of stuff in there like branches, a water bowl with a bubbler in it, some moss att he bottom in case he falls, and of course I'm getting a live plant (low maintenance) and a big fake one for him to hide in, and I also happen to have 6' of vines, which cover up one of the sides of the tank. My question for you guys: I'm thinking about a jackson's chameleon. Should I get one or a different kind? And what else do I need?
In need of a savior,
Nicholas (Lizard Boy)

 

[Maki]

It's exciting and a hard decision!!

I know that the water bowl is not necessary, chameleons only drink from leaves that are wet from misting.

What species you want, well.. Hard to say. I had Jacksons before, and they are great! I have a Panther right now. He's great too! Whatever one calls to you.

I often hear it's better to have larger cages for adults, the size one you have should be fine for a juvenile of most species. The last male Jackson I had was a big boy and I kept him in a hand made 2ftx4ftx4ft. Just cause he was spoiled!

I would not keep an adult male Jackson in anything smaller than a 2ftx2ftx4ft. But you'd have at least 6 months to figure that out.

I'm sure you will get more great feedback from more experienced people here soon!

Good luck and post pictures!

 

[Maki]

Oh, I forgot to ask.. What kind of "cage" is it?

 

[NickyChameleon]

It's exciting and a hard decision!!

I know that the water bowl is not necessary, chameleons only drink from leaves that are wet from misting.

What species you want, well.. Hard to say. I had Jacksons before, and they are great! I have a Panther right now. He's great too! Whatever one calls to you.

I often hear it's better to have larger cages for adults, the size one you have should be fine for a juvenile of most species. The last male Jackson I had was a big boy and I kept him in a hand made 2ftx4ftx4ft. Just cause he was spoiled!

I would not keep an adult male Jackson in anything smaller than a 2ftx2ftx4ft. But you'd have at least 6 months to figure that out.

I'm sure you will get more great feedback from more experienced people here soon!

Good luck and post pictures!

Thanks dude. I'll post a pic of the cage rn if my iPod lets me.

 

[bakednowningz]

Go with whatever looks cool for you, and fits the size you have (basically wont get huge)

Panthers a bit expensive but they are absolutely beauties with color, you can really get them in some amazing colors that will make other chams look dull.

Jacksons are cool if you really have a thing for the horns, they also stay relatively small/medium sized and are pretty easy to maintain compared to some others.

You've got alot of options for medium sized Chameleons. Just pick one that you think looks hella cool dude

 

[NickyChameleon]

Ummm....how do I post a picture?

 

[Chase]

Thanks dude. I'll post a pic of the cage rn if my iPod lets me.

You can email it to me [email protected] and I'll post it for you if you can't post it.

Chase

 

[NickyChameleon]

It's a glass cage with the standard ventilation below the door

 

[bakednowningz]

Oh, I forgot to ask.. What kind of "cage" is it?

Sounds like a standard Exo Terra....

 

[Maki]

When you hit the post reply botton and the window appears to type in, just below it there is a "manage attachments" button. Choose to either take a picture or upload from library.. Then make sure after you do (it will think) hit the "upload" button.

It's silly, but it works.

 

[NickyChameleon]

It's either exo-Terra or lllreptile

 

[reptileguy112]

It's either exo-Terra or lllreptile

Chameleons require a cage with at lease one full side of the cage made of screen and a screen top. My vivs are all sided screen. Also I am assuming you are getting either a panther or a veiled and they need 2 x 2 x 4 cages that's twice as tall as what you have

 

[sharp229]

Chameleons require a cage with at lease one full side of the cage made of screen and a screen top

This isn't correct. Many people have had success with the Exo-Terra-style vented glass terrariums. See the below thread:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

However, for an adult male veiled/panther/jacksons you will need a 2x2x4 cage. The cage you have would work well for a juvenile. You would just need to be able to get a larger one when he outgrows it.

However, you should not have a water bowl and you will need to mist regularly for hydration and humidity.

 

[Maki]

If I can make a suggestion to you: research the species you are interested in. Take your time, don't rush. Find out what their needs are, and what you feel comfortable with. If you are not interested in getting another, larger, cage in the near future (6 months at most) for and adult medium/large species you should definitely go for something smaller. Especially if you want a male, they def need extra space. Anyone who has owned a cham knows how much happier they are in larger cages. I often let my Jackson's roam around the house, or chill on my big bonsai I had on the Lani (supervised!). Or let him chill out on top of his cage. Even the big cage I had him in, he still wanted time out of it.. And it was a big cage! I'd have to practically crawl in it if he was on the other end.

The only two species I have any experience with (and I'm very new to one of them lol) is Jacksons and Panthers. My experience with Jacksons was that they are very easy to train, not terribly picky eaters, and over all easy to care for. The females can be a little bit more difficult than the males (def keep them in separate cages!) and so far I can tell panthers seem to be on a similar "easy" level. So far! Lol

Anyways, you'll have lots of support here at the forums, cause I can tell you I learned a lot here by reading up on everything and asking questions.

 

[GrimCamel]

This isn't correct. Many people have had success with the Exo-Terra-style vented glass terrariums. See the below thread:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/

I'm saying the same as you. The screen only topic is a myth. You can have either as long as it fills the needs of your cham

 

[Lathis]

Screen does have a lot of advantages in my opinion. More air flow overall with the ability to adjust the openness as needed. Much easier to add a solid panel to a screen cage when and if you need it than to try to modify a full glass viv. Plus better initial cost, ability to anchor items to the screen, and larger sizes are available.

 

[bakednowningz]

Despite what everyone says about glass. I'd totally rather do glass just so much easier to keep humidity and have the setting exactly where you need to be. Some chams need really big enclosures to be really happy, good luck getting a giant enclosure with glass. Not only heavy but way more expensive than like a mesh cage or something similar

 

[Carlton]

Hey guys, so I am definitely getting a chameleon, but I don't have a gigantic cage like you guys. I've got an 18" by 18" by 24" tall cage. I'm getting a UVA/B bulb soon, my hood broke so I'm getting a new one. I've got a bunch of stuff in there like branches, a water bowl with a bubbler in it, some moss att he bottom in case he falls, and of course I'm getting a live plant (low maintenance) and a big fake one for him to hide in, and I also happen to have 6' of vines, which cover up one of the sides of the tank. My question for you guys: I'm thinking about a jackson's chameleon. Should I get one or a different kind? And what else do I need?
In need of a savior,
Nicholas (Lizard Boy)

This size cage will be too small for an adult panther or veiled. An adult male jax might be too crowded in it also. What about a small group of pygmy leaf chams (1 male to 2-3 females) instead? They'll like the more enclosed cage too.

 

[bakednowningz]

This size cage will be too small for an adult panther or veiled. An adult male jax might be too crowded in it also. What about a small group of pygmy leaf chams (1 male to 2-3 females) instead? They'll like the more enclosed cage too.

Yeah they'd have plenty of room in there. Would probly be pretty happy.

Otherwise I'd probly go with something tiny and upgrade as it gets older!

 

[leedragon]

if you are getting a jackson better see this first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA&list=PL4HFX9PBYVY2eIWT0v3ZgYSk-r76SEujI