Looking to Purchase Chameleon

[Tigger92]

Hello! I am looking to buy a chameleon. I've been filled in on the husbandry. My question is a lady told me to purchase a Zoo Med Repti Breeze Chameleon Kit. She sells hers for $120. Some people tell me that it's no good and buy it all separate to save money on stuff that works. I was going to purchase a baby veiled chameleon so the cage would be perfect until it would start growing. Also, what sprinkling system works the best? Right now I can't go out and get anything. I'll have to save before buying but also I can't afford the fancy of fancies. Does anyone have any bonding stories with their chameleons? Breeders who do have chameleons for pets say they do bond and those who soley breed and sell say different. I'd like to think that all the time you spend with them they would show some sort of bond. Anything you can think of that's the hardest part of owning a chameleon? I'm wanting a male by the way in case anyone is curious. I attend lots of reptile expos so that's where I plan on purchasing one. Thanks!

 

[Theveiled]

I started out with the chameleon kit but bought more vines and plants as it does not come with enough. I ended up only using the setup for about two months (but I bought Stark because he was older). I have the monsoon mister that costs about $100 but am saving up for a mistking because they are better. Stark at first hated me but now he wants out all the time. He has come so far with his personality. Hardest part about having a chameleon is the cost In my opinion

 

[Tigger92]

Thank you so much! What about the light that comes with it? WI also have 2 turtles that have to use the same lights but I have separate light fixtures. And the food and supplements that come with it is sufficient?

 

[Theveiled]

Thank you so much! What about the light that comes with it? WI also have 2 turtles that have to use the same lights but I have separate light fixtures. And the food and supplements that come with it is sufficient?

The UVB is compact and most prefer linear but it does its job since it would be temporary. The heat bulb does burn out very quickly though. The supplements that come with the kit and the ones I still use. Calcium without d3 every feeding and the reptivite 2 times a month.

 

[Theveiled]

*are the ones I still use (not and)

 

[Tigger92]

Do you use a sprinkler system or do you spray with a water bottle sprayer? How often do they eat? I have a list of fruits and veggies and supplements they need.

 

[BryanP]

You mentioned what misting system to use (I think you used the term "sprinkling system"). I think that the majority of uses here would argue strongly to get the mist king setup. There is really a very limited number of items that fill that void.

While you save for one you could use a pressurized handheld bug sprayer. It just takes dedication to stand there and mist several times a day is why I prefer to buy the mistking system

I have a panther Chameleon and I feed my 4 month old guy 12-16 crickets each day, gut loaded with Rapashy bug burger and then dust daily with Rapashy Calcium Plus

 

[Theveiled]

Do you use a sprinkler system or do you spray with a water bottle sprayer? How often do they eat? I have a list of fruits and veggies and supplements they need.

I have a misting system that is automatic and I also handmist. I feed Stark every other day but for babies it is usually every day. Stark eats crickets, superworms, butterworms, soldier fly larvae, dubia roaches, waxworms and hornworms.

 

[Tigger92]

I have sugar gliders and turtles so I'm use to feeding meal worms and earth worms. Now with a baby, will I have to cut up the bugs? Should I use a bowl? Will the chameleon be okay if I just mist by hand before I leave for work and again when I come home?

 

[Theveiled]

Meal worms are not the best feeder and I do not use them. You will not have yo cut up the bugs, just get smaller bugs. You can use a bowl if you want. Im not completely sure if that will be enough. What time do you leave and get home?

 

[Theveiled]

I am not sure if chameleons can eat earth worms though. I have never fed them

 

[BryanP]

The UVB is compact and most prefer linear but it does its job since it would be temporary.

This is pretty important only because I ended up having to buy 2 lights before I bought the "right one" Just spend the money the first time and get an appropriate sized linear fixture with the zoomed reptisun 5.0. I ended up getting the Zoomed Reptisun LED+UVB with the T5HO light.

So lesson learned, buy what you know is right the first time instead of just buying what is convenient and might work

 

[Tigger92]

I work 10 am to 6 pm. It won't be an issue getting a system for them if it's better. I'm just trying to save on money. I literally just read that they're high in fat but I'll be feeding them more. How do you feed your chameleon? Do you just put the food (not insects) on the floor of the tank then clean up later?

 

[Theveiled]

This is pretty important only because I ended up having to buy 2 lights before I bought the "right one" Just spend the money the first time and get an appropriate sized linear fixture with the zoomed reptisun 5.0. I ended up getting the Zoomed Reptisun LED+UVB with the T5HO light.

So lesson learned, buy what you know is right the first time instead of just buying what is convenient and might work

But when she gets a larger cage she will need larger lights

 

[Tigger92]

This is pretty important only because I ended up having to buy 2 lights before I bought the "right one" Just spend the money the first time and get an appropriate sized linear fixture with the zoomed reptisun 5.0. I ended up getting the Zoomed Reptisun LED+UVB with the T5HO light.

So lesson learned, buy what you know is right the first time instead of just buying what is convenient and might work

How much did it cost you total for the right one? I'm just trying to get estimates so I can save up before I blow money. I'd rather get everything right the first time.

 

[Theveiled]

I work 10 am to 6 pm. It won't be an issue getting a system for them if it's better. I'm just trying to save on money. I literally just read that they're high in fat but I'll be feeding them more. How do you feed your chameleon? Do you just put the food (not insects) on the floor of the tank then clean up later?

I put them in a cup and also in the cage. Not directly on the foor as if they find poo they will eat it

 

[Theveiled]

What age baby do you want? That plays a big role in the cage size you will need

 

[Tigger92]

Anything under 11 months.

 

[Theveiled]

Anything under 11 months.

I upgrade Stark to a 2 foot by 2 foot by 4 foot tall cage at about 7 months of age.

 

[Theveiled]

He had coccidia though which causes anorexia and stunted growth so he is actually on the smaller side