How much?

[yojon3000]

how much in general does a veiled chameleon cost including lights and a cage (only when you first got him)
and does having the lights on add to the electric bill
i need to know

 

[Ozzie2011]

Prices are going to vary depending on who you buy your Chameleon from and setups are going to be all different prices. I would say a minimum of $300 just to get started and it certainly doesn't stop there. These guys are expensive to feed and proper vitamins and misting system...etc But they are cetainly worth it

 

[Drew V]

one of those things where .. you maybe can get by with $300 .. but then oh man that big ficus would look so cool in my cage! and oh now i need some live vines i bet he'd love that big pothos! Then oh now i need another grow light, and it sure would be nice if i had an automatic mister so i dont have to do it by hand all the time. Then i bet i could build him a bad ass cage better than these flimsy ones you buy online. I bet he would like some hornworms and other exotic feeders! next thing you know your like 1k in lol.

The lights effect on the electric bill should be pretty minimal though, its just a florescent light tube and a plain old house light bulb for heat.
not like running metal halides or something. wanna talk about expensive

 

[jannb]

You also need to have money saved up for vet bills.

 

[Chamifornia]

You also need to have money saved up for vet bills.

Are you talking about just in case anything bad happens or do you actually take them in for checkups

 

[rocket89]

can you guys estimate how much do you spend a month?

 

[Mario22]

Well if you, resist on buying new things which most dont lol but if you do its anywhere between $30-50 . IF you get the feeders online for cheap and your cham doesnt get sick .

 

[bigcappa]

Well FLChams.com has a "Large" complete setup that goes for $300 and includes the following.

-Cage 24 x 24 x 48
-75 Watt Heat Bulb
-5 1/2" Clamp Lamp
-20" Fluorescent Fixture
-Reptisun 5.0 18" Fluorescent Bulb
-(2) Exo Terra Vine – Medium
-(2) Exo Terra Large Ampallo Plastic Leaves
-Zoo Med Calcium w/ D3
-Reptivite
-Zoo Med Digital Thermometer
-Reptile Spray Bottle
PRICE: $300.00

You will definitely want to get a few live plants for in the enclosure($5-$30+)(Safe Plant list - https://www.chameleonforums.com/list-chameleon-safe-harmful-plants-59264/). The reptisun 5.0 uvb light will have to be replaced every six months(prices vary - $5-$20). This also does not include any feeders, which before a cham is a day old will have to be fed daily. Depending on what your using(i.e. crickets, superworms, hornworms) the cost can vary but in the realms of $10 a week, including shipping or gas costs. Also this kit comes with just a spray bottle, you might want to get or make a drip system, and/or get a automatic misting system($200+) in the future. Also, as jannb pointed out it would be a smart thing to have a little saved for vet bills. Hope this helps!

 

[lslcronk]

one of those things where .. you maybe can get by with $300 .. but then oh man that big ficus would look so cool in my cage! and oh now i need some live vines i bet he'd love that big pothos! Then oh now i need another grow light, and it sure would be nice if i had an automatic mister so i dont have to do it by hand all the time. Then i bet i could build him a bad ass cage better than these flimsy ones you buy online. I bet he would like some hornworms and other exotic feeders! next thing you know your like 1k in lol.

AMEN to this!! lmao This is EXACTLY what has been happening with me since I got Claude! It has been 4 weeks of "oooo I NEED that" and "oh I want that" I KNOW that with the cham, cage, mistking (cuz the HabbaMist I got SUCKS), plants, food, etc I am in for a grand at this point...and I too have the plans drawn up for his big boy cage. Construction to begin late summer so add another couple hundred! ugh...