I want one

Jem

Jem

New Member
Hi,

I'm Jem, and I'm new to the forum. I have three dogs, a Whites Tree Frog, A Red-Eyed tree frog, and a two year old bearded dragon. I desperately want a chameleon, but I want to do everything right the first time! Dylan Dutz recommends a veiled, but I understand they can be a bit nasty. I have thought about a panther, but am unsure what the best one for a beginner would be. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jem
 
Most people recommend veileds not only cause they are a bit more hardy, but they are easy on the budget. If you have the money i would definitely go for a panther. But it's really your preference. Care is moderately the same. And it is ALOT of care. :)
I'm jerry by the way
 
I thought most chameleons acted the same way for the most part? All chameleons have their nasty sides. :)

How old of a chameleon were you wanting to get?
 
Jem said:
Hi,

I'm Jem, and I'm new to the forum. I have three dogs, a Whites Tree Frog, A Red-Eyed tree frog, and a two year old bearded dragon. I desperately want a chameleon, but I want to do everything right the first time! Dylan Dutz recommends a veiled, but I understand they can be a bit nasty. I have thought about a panther, but am unsure what the best one for a beginner would be. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jem
Click to expand...

the best thing to do for now is research a LOT before purchasing your chameleon (veiled or panther).
I do recommend veiled for first timer.
They are slightly tougher than Panther in tolerating beginner's mistake.
 
My first cham was a veiled and he is still my favorite. Believe it or not sometimes he even falls asleep on my arm for the nite. We wake up in the morning and he is in the same place. Keep in mind i am a very lite sleeper and if he moves i wake up. I thiinnk he likes the warmth or something. But out of all my chams he is the friendliest. If there is such a thing. Don't get me wrong the frist time i brought him home he gave me a good bite, but everything was new and i think i moved too fast and scared him. I would recommend a veiled too. They are easier on the pocketbook and they are a little hardier than the panther. Like someone said, a little less humiddity a little less misting, a little less work. But you are certainly on the right track by checking everything out first. Good Job!!! Get everything ready for him before you bring him home it will be easier on both of you. Also i don't know how everybody else feels about it, but i would make sure you get a captive bred one. There are still wild caught veils out there, mainly at reptile expos. It willl save you a lot of headaches. Good luck.
 
I'd recommend going with a male panther if your budget can afford it. I'm simply not interested by veileds, but panthers can be just as ill-tempered. My male approaches me because he relates me to feedings, but my female can stand anyone. She'll puff up, hiss, false strike, etc. I don't handle my male more than once every few weeks and my female only when doing cage maintainance. Still my male is very docile which I can only believe is related to being used to my presence and not frequent handling.

If you can afford either I recommend you choose based on which species you have the most desire to work with.
 
I'd reccommend a Jackson for a beginner, just make sure you read up on them. There is plenty of good reading out there on this species.
 
Thank you all for your considered advice. I will definitely read a lot before any purchase, have already read some. There are many different ideas on set up. I don't want to waste money on the wrong set up components. If I go with a veiled, what are the necessary elements from day one? I know I can look in a book, but I have already seen differing opinions, and I'd appreciate hearing from the experts, the owners.

Thanks again,
Jem
 
Jem,

The link I gave you maps out my veiled husbandry. Still working on it (details et al) but I think it's getting close to being pretty complete.
Did you have specific questions?
Where do you live?

-Brad
 
Hi Brad,
I live in Maryland. I am concerned about the dripper/mister details, and also the heat/lighting on a screened enclosure. All of my current enclosures are glass tanks. A week ago I lost my 10 year old Red-Eyed Tree Frog. I consider that I had extraordinary success in keeping her for all of those years. I must have been doing something right! I still have a baby Red-Eye. That species requires medium to high humidity and I mist often. Additionally, I keep a natural sea sponge on a hammock in the enclosure which I moisten almost to saturation point, to help keep the humidity level up.

What kind of dripper (brand/type) is best? I read your link info, which was very helpful. I have a bearded dragon, but of course they need dry enclosure conditions and a few "baths" a week. I'm not afraid of a little hard work. With three dogs, a beardie, a red-eye, and a Whites, I am already maintaining different types of enclosures, and meedting a variety of needs. I love animals and my husband is very supportive of my menagerie.

I just want to make sure I do it "right" the first time.

Thanks,
Jem

P.S. My real name is Candy. Jem was my red-eye who just passed away.
 
Hey Candy,

I have a veiled, I've nearly had him a year and he's doing great. I wish I'd got a panther now, their colors are so amazing. I really wanted a panther but everyone said "veiled for beginners".

My veiled is very pissy and can be dark colors a lot of the time. But that's mine, other's have very happy hardy (still pissy) bright, gorgoeus veileds that make me jealous.

Just make a decision and commit to it. You sound like an experienced herp-keeper. I'd say to you to do what you want, but know that you chameleon will be more work then anythig you've owned before. It'd be nice if you could just get into it with $800. I highly recommend a misting system, I highly recommend breeding roaches, and I highly recommend coming up with some sort of drainage system. Get those in place, and the cham will be easy.
 
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