looking for a chameleon

[thacarter]

Hello, I just found this site today. I have a bearded dragon already and have been looking into getting a chameleon, as i have always wanted one. I went to a reptile show over the weekend here in Grand Rapids, Michigan where i am from. I saw a spiny madagascar chameleon that i really liked but he was already an adult. I want to get one that is younger. I am debating between a flap neck and a spiny madagascar. I have been looking online but cant seem to find them available for sale. The only site i saw them on was flchams and they didnt have the flap necks right now. what do you guys recommend? which one is recommended and where to purchase? The only place around me that sells chameleons is a pet store and they only have veiled. I like the other two breeds much better than the veiled.

thanks!

 

[pssh]

Welcome. First off, I suggest you do a LOT of research before you jump into this. Chameleons are not hardy like bearded dragons and are very fragile. They require a lot of care and effort. I have not had either of the two, but if I were to recommend a 'starter' chameleon I would suggest a veiled or a panther in that order.


Edit: here is a check list for a Baby veiled and the main stuff is generally what you need for all the aboreal chameleons. If you are dead set on getting something other than a veiled then you have to figure out the cage size, humidity, supplement needs, and so on.

Here is my basic checklist for a baby veiled:

-a screen cage of appropriate size (baby:16x16x30, adult female 18x18x36, adult male 24x24x48) you can also buy the adult sized cage and just section off the bottom so it is smaller
-live plants that are non toxic and have covered organic fertilizer free soil
-a normal incandescent house bulb of appropriate wattage
-a dome to put the house bulb in
-a linear reptisun 5.0 and appropriate hood
-a digital thermometer or temp gun to check temperature
-a digital hygrometer to check humidity (you can buy a 2 in 1 thermometer/hygrometer)
-three supplements: calcium with d3, calcium without d3, and a multivitamin that contains no vit A (make sure all are phos free)
-a pump style spray bottle to spray chameleon
-a dripper of some sort
-drainage for the water so that the cage does not flood
-many horizontal, vertical, and diagonal branches/vines/perches make sure there are many at different levels under the basking branch so he can move around under them to get a certain temp, the closest one to the bulb (6-8 inches under it) should have the maximum temperature a baby veiled can handle (80-83 degrees)

All of this can be bought on lllreptile.com but it would be cheaper to buy the uvb hood, normal incandescent house bulb and dome, plants, and digital thermometer from home depot or lowes (unless you are getting a temp gun, then tempgun.com) Veiled chameleons can handle temps as low as 50 degrees (at night) so there is no need to use a night light, though I would try to keep it around 60 for a baby. If you do need extra heat, use a space heater or ceramic bulb.

 

[Ellron]

This forum is full of great info.Everyone here knows their stuff! Ask questions!!! Use the search function alot! I've been researching for over 6 months and still haven't gotten my chameleon. Its worth the wait to know all the facts and to be ready for anything that little guy can throw at you! Good luck

 

[thacarter]

Welcome. First off, I suggest you do a LOT of research before you jump into this. Chameleons are not hardy like bearded dragons and are very fragile. They require a lot of care and effort. I have not had either of the two, but if I were to recommend a 'starter' chameleon I would suggest a veiled or a panther in that order.


Edit: here is a check list for a Baby veiled and the main stuff is generally what you need for all the aboreal chameleons. If you are dead set on getting something other than a veiled then you have to figure out the cage size, humidity, supplement needs, and so on.

Here is my basic checklist for a baby veiled:

-a screen cage of appropriate size (baby:16x16x30, adult female 18x18x36, adult male 24x24x48) you can also buy the adult sized cage and just section off the bottom so it is smaller
-live plants that are non toxic and have covered organic fertilizer free soil
-a normal incandescent house bulb of appropriate wattage
-a dome to put the house bulb in
-a linear reptisun 5.0 and appropriate hood
-a digital thermometer or temp gun to check temperature
-a digital hygrometer to check humidity (you can buy a 2 in 1 thermometer/hygrometer)
-three supplements: calcium with d3, calcium without d3, and a multivitamin that contains no vit A (make sure all are phos free)
-a pump style spray bottle to spray chameleon
-a dripper of some sort
-drainage for the water so that the cage does not flood
-many horizontal, vertical, and diagonal branches/vines/perches make sure there are many at different levels under the basking branch so he can move around under them to get a certain temp, the closest one to the bulb (6-8 inches under it) should have the maximum temperature a baby veiled can handle (80-83 degrees)

All of this can be bought on lllreptile.com but it would be cheaper to buy the uvb hood, normal incandescent house bulb and dome, plants, and digital thermometer from home depot or lowes (unless you are getting a temp gun, then tempgun.com) Veiled chameleons can handle temps as low as 50 degrees (at night) so there is no need to use a night light, though I would try to keep it around 60 for a baby. If you do need extra heat, use a space heater or ceramic bulb.

Thanks for this info!
I saw that the flap neck is also a good starter chameleon and I really dont think that i want a veiled, do you have more info like this for other kinds of chameleons?

 

[jeanjacket812]

I would just say that make sure whatever you get that it is captive bred. A veiled or panther is deffiently where to start out at.

 

[dmaizer]

check out chameleons101.com for great chameleons and prices.

 

[Vegas Chad]

We breed Spiny chameleons and have babies growing at the moment. All of the site sponsors are a good pick when it comes to getting a chameleon.

 

[schendricks]

Thacarter,

You like Lil Wayne, eh? I've only really heard the song "Kush" from the Leak EP, but I can't stop listening to it. My coworkers are threatening an intervention.

It's great you're thinking about working with chameleons--I am too. It's even greater that you found these forums. As you can see, there are many experienced and helpful keepers here from whose testimony you will greatly benefit. Plumb their knowledge and ask lots of questions. Dig through all the forums, posts old and new. Search for all the information on chameleon husbandry you can find online, and purchase or borrow some books. Because I have almost no actual experience with these marvelously particular animals, that's all I can say. However I will point to to three reliable articles that I think will start you off well in your research:

Introduction to Chameleon Husbandry
The Costs of Keeping Chameleons
Common Myths of Chameleon Husbandry

Welcome to the forums, and good luck!

S

 

[Sir Spiral Tail]

I ordered through chameleons101. He only breeds panthers that i know of. He has been very good to deal with, checks back on how you are doing, gives good advise, and remembers his customers! i have found my panther very easy to deal with, and love him to death. Find what you want though, it will pay off in the end

 

[pssh]

I don't have anything specific for other chameleons. That list can be used for panther chameleons as well, except they can only handle temps around 60 at night.

I believe flap necks are similar in care to a veiled, but I'm not 100% positive. Eitherway, you need to do lots of research. Starting out CBB is always good as WC can come in with a load of problems like parasites (CB can get parasites as well, but they are less likely to die from them if they are healthy otherwise) which require treatment. There are not many people who breed flapnecks so you might have a hard time finding a CB one.

 

[ShaunaLynnA]

A veiled is a good starter cham to begin with for a first time cham owner. I do suggest that you do allot of research before you get in to buying a cham if you decide that route. There are many things in store for care and lots of attention needed to caring for them. I also say to make sure you buy captive bred when you make your choice. Best of luck in whatever you decide it is great being a cham owner and you do get many rewards out of it to each there own though!

 

[thacarter]

We breed Spiny chameleons and have babies growing at the moment. All of the site sponsors are a good pick when it comes to getting a chameleon.

do you have a website?
edit: nevermind, I see it!
do you have pics of the spiny breeders? or if they have hatched yet, the babies?

 

[thacarter]

Thacarter,

You like Lil Wayne, eh? I've only really heard the song "Kush" from the Leak EP, but I can't stop listening to it. My coworkers are threatening an intervention.

It's great you're thinking about working with chameleons--I am too. It's even greater that you found these forums. As you can see, there are many experienced and helpful keepers here from whose testimony you will greatly benefit. Plumb their knowledge and ask lots of questions. Dig through all the forums, posts old and new. Search for all the information on chameleon husbandry you can find online, and purchase or borrow some books. Because I have almost no actual experience with these marvelously particular animals, that's all I can say. However I will point to to three reliable articles that I think will start you off well in your research:

Introduction to Chameleon Husbandry
The Costs of Keeping Chameleons
Common Myths of Chameleon Husbandry

Welcome to the forums, and good luck!

S

yes i do love lil wayne, haha, my bearded dragon is named carter, and my future cham will be named marshall. thanks for the links too!

 

[Carlton]

do you have a website?
edit: nevermind, I see it!
do you have pics of the spiny breeders? or if they have hatched yet, the babies?

The Mada spinys are beautiful IMHO. They do tend to be shy though, so be aware. I don't know if cbb spinys will be less so, but my wc male was very shy. If you hope to have a tolerant docile species that might not be the best choice but it is fairly hard to predict the personality of any baby. If you will be content with whatever personality you get go for it. Their beaded skin pattern, spines, display coloration, and size are great. They don't need high humidity or lower temps either.

 

[thacarter]

The Mada spinys are beautiful IMHO. They do tend to be shy though, so be aware. I don't know if cbb spinys will be less so, but my wc male was very shy. If you hope to have a tolerant docile species that might not be the best choice but it is fairly hard to predict the personality of any baby. If you will be content with whatever personality you get go for it. Their beaded skin pattern, spines, display coloration, and size are great. They don't need high humidity or lower temps either.

I never heard of them until I saw one over the weekend at a reptile show and I fell in love with it. Almost bought it but I would rather have a baby. I couldn't find many pics of them online, do they vary alot on coloring? Does anyone have more pics of mada spinys?

 

[hallenhe]

Welcome! I'm in Lansing, and there are a few other Michiganders around. I've gotten all my chameleons shipped in (one from California, three from Florida) and have not had trouble with ordering from out of state. Many places will not ship unless temps are 35 F or above - next month for us - so you can spend the time reading and choosing and preparing.
I have not seen many flap necks available in the US. I'm tempted by the Madagascar spinies myself - they're definitely on my "to own" list. It is fun to get a chameleon young (instead of adult) and watch it grow and develop; generally it's not recommended that you get one younger than three months, and many people won't sell younger than that - those are still pretty little, with a lot of growing and coloring up to do, but they're well started, and have demonstrated themselves to be savvy about eating, drinking, etc.
Look around, take your time preparing and learning. Looks like TikiTiki's baby spinies (Verrucosus) will be ready this spring, probably not long after it will be safe to ship to Michigan, so if you decide that's the way you're going, you could maybe ask them to put you on a waiting list, or to notify you when the babies are available.
As far as pix go, do a search in the photography forums under "spiny" or "verrucosus".
Again, welcome!

 

[thacarter]

Welcome! I'm in Lansing, and there are a few other Michiganders around. I've gotten all my chameleons shipped in (one from California, three from Florida) and have not had trouble with ordering from out of state. Many places will not ship unless temps are 35 F or above - next month for us - so you can spend the time reading and choosing and preparing.
I have not seen many flap necks available in the US. I'm tempted by the Madagascar spinies myself - they're definitely on my "to own" list. It is fun to get a chameleon young (instead of adult) and watch it grow and develop; generally it's not recommended that you get one younger than three months, and many people won't sell younger than that - those are still pretty little, with a lot of growing and coloring up to do, but they're well started, and have demonstrated themselves to be savvy about eating, drinking, etc.
Look around, take your time preparing and learning. Looks like TikiTiki's baby spinies (Verrucosus) will be ready this spring, probably not long after it will be safe to ship to Michigan, so if you decide that's the way you're going, you could maybe ask them to put you on a waiting list, or to notify you when the babies are available.
As far as pix go, do a search in the photography forums under "spiny" or "verrucosus".
Again, welcome!

yeah i made the mistake of buying my beardie from a pet store when he was just a few weeks old. I soon realized it was better to buy them after they are developed a little bit and to buy them from a breeder. so i for sure want to do that with the cham.

 

[Lizardlover]

By "Madagascar Spiny Chameleon" do you mean F.oustaleti or F.verrucosis? adcham.com has pretty good species profiles.

 

[thacarter]

By "Madagascar Spiny Chameleon" do you mean F.oustaleti or F.verrucosis? adcham.com has pretty good species profiles.

according to fl chams- "Furcifer verrucosus" = Madagascar Giant Spiny Chameleon

 

[thacarter]

what is a good type of panther chameleon, i never really considered them because i saw the prices and they were quite high. are there any good panthers for under $100 for a young one from a breeder?