needing advice

[beemac]

hi everyone, glad to be a member of this group now!
I owned a chameleon many years ago and always wanted another.
I found one local on craigslist, a male veiled that is about a year and with the cage, lamps, cricket house, thermometer and fake plants the person is asking $160
she is selling it because her son no longer has time to take care of it. she said the cham recently started becoming a bit fussy and hissed a bit. he was being handled before the last 5 or so weeks but not much since.
I know being handled is not their favorite thing anyways, and some say veiled are a bit more cranky?
I am wondering if I should rescue this guy from potential neglect, even though I have been really wanting an exotic breed and crazy colorful one like I have found elsewhere but will cost me much more.
I know that sounds bad probably but I wonder anyone's opinions on this deal.
I may go look at him this week.
and if I do get him, what is the best way to transport him with little stress?
thanks everyone!

 

[rminnis]

I know you want to rescue this guy 160 is alot for no more then what it sounds like your getting. Unless the cage is decent and the lights are decent. If you want to give it a good home you need to find out specifics on the cage like brand and style and size. What light fixtures come with it and/or bulbs and how old most need replaced after 6 months (uvb bulbs at least) A male veiled will need a large screen cage at least 40 some inches tall I say at least 2.5-3.5 feet wide to be happy! You also need to think about a mist system or at least dripping system and spray bottle. Ask how they provided it with drinking water and humidity! That may be why hes unhappy.

 

[rminnis]

Also it should have been getting calcium and vitamins less frequently dusted on its food no mention of this either. You can pretty much get veileds given to you anymore if you look hard enough so paying 160 seems like they are just trying to get there money back. Try to get them to come down unless supplies look nice ! Mayb cage and light fixture make it worth it tho if they are nice but i doubt it.

 

[beemac]

thanks!
-the cage is a zoo med reptibreeze kit
-and zoo med combo lights
-bio bubble fountain (will he drink from this? my experience was lots of misting)
a couple vines and a dish

 

[rminnis]

most on here dont recomment fountains even if they work because of bacteria, Mine has always drank from misting and or water droplets falling on top of his screen cage from my auto sprayer. Most recommend a nicer misting system like CliMist or Mistking that actually requires a dranage tray although its not completely necessary for all setups.

 

[rminnis]

How old is the veiled my male veiled out grew the same cage (med) by 6-7 months and just needed more room he was basically 80% of the length of one of the sides of the cage from head to tail and was climbing on the screen and dying to get out and explore.

 

[rminnis]

Most on here would probly say the lighting setup they are giving you is not idea and would need updated. You need some type of horizontal UVB bulb along with a basking spot or two that overlap with the uvb partly.

 

[beemac]

so maybe this whole thing is a bit overpriced. though the cham I have been eying is around $300+ and with all the supplies it will be quite a bit. but I have wanted to have one again and still debating all of this.
any suggestions on where to look? i found one on kammerflage kreations I just love.

 

[rminnis]

I recommend buying a couple of cheap pothos, shefflera, ficus, or any other safe real plant in the cage to increase humidity rather than fake plants. They hold water so much better.

 

[rminnis]

Yeah i am also looking at getting a small Panther They are so pretty but more expensive. I paid 60 for my veiled and probly overpaid for it. I bet you could get them to come down they are probly desperate to get rid of the poor guy they are alot of work but they are so worth it! I want to get 2 or 3 but just dont have the money or space yet.

 

[rminnis]

Offer em 50-75 depending on how nice you feel and see what they say

 

[rminnis]

Well I would check out the site sponsors honsestly or even the forums there is a for SALE area with a guy on there selling Panthers pretty cheap and other breeds as well.

 

[Chameleomom]

Why don't you go and check it out then make your decision

 

[rminnis]

I would go check him out if its not too far!

 

[rminnis]

How would you guys & gals transport him safely that was 1 question I do not really know?

 

[beemac]

here are the pics I got. I am going to try to go see him at some point. thanks guys!

 

[Chameleomom]

In a small box or container with air holes inside a pillow case to lessen the stress

 

[Chameleomom]

The chameleon looks nice but the cage needs some work. Lots of real plants and branches. Take out that fountain because it's a breeding ground for bacteria. Get you a misting system. Lights you will have to tell us what is in there for help

 

[rminnis]

Yeah just look at photos of as many enclosures as you can on here and u will notice how empty it looks especially near the top where it matters he needs basking areas the proper distance from the lights, good news is cham looks very nice! I would check him really well for medical issues that setup if long term has to have some negative effects on the poor guy. I doubt if he has had much UVB absorbtion being that far from the light setup especially if its just a vertical UVB bulb rather than horizontally placed

 

[rminnis]

It does have some nice vinage that they arent even utilizing even so thats a start in that dept. you can never have enough vines