New to Chams!

[chondrotastic]

Hey everyone! What a Great forum! I am really interested in getting a Chameleon and I was looking for some advice. I have experience with snakes, ball pythons and Green tree pythons aka chondros, but I am looking to branch out my small collection to include a chameleon. I have been researching a bit, but I need a little direction. I'm looking for a Chameleon that doesnt get too big and that could stay in a small to medium size cage. I was also wondering if anyone has ever kept a chameleon successfully in a glass aquarium(is it possible?). I have a 12 wide by 24 high by 24 long, super nice cage. I really dont want to spend more than 250 on setup + chameleon because I go to school and I only make minimium wage! lol. I was thinking a jackson chameleon would be best? Also, if I ABSOULTELY have to by a mesh wire cage, does anyone know any killer deals/ could I get it at a reptile show for super cheap?

Sorry for all the questions, just want a happy chameleon!

Thanks, Chondrotastic!

 

[pssh]

Welcome! Aquariums, no. Specially vented terrariums, yes.

Jacksons are a smaller species, as are Rudis, carpets, and pygmies. You can actually keep pygmies in an aquarium as a small 1.2 to 1.4 group depending on size of housing.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Hi there...welcome to the forum. If you want advice on chams you sure picked the right place. Currently, I have one Jackson's cham and he's awesome!!! He's my first one. I guess it all depends on what type of cham you're looking for. They all have different needs. Probably the most common are the veilds, panthers, and Jackson's. I chose a Jackson's because I live in Maine and it's pretty cool here most of the year so I thought that the climate here would suit him and of course who doesn't love the horns. Most people would say a Jackson's isn't a beginner species but mine is doing fantastic and I've had him for a year now and what amazing creatures. There are tons of people that can help you with your selection of a great chameleon and a really good set up and where to get them.
Natalie

 

[thealissa]

Where do you live? I have a used 18"L x 18"W x 36"H all-screened ReptiBreeze by Zoo Med. I'd be willing to take $50 for it.

I'm unsure about disassembling it because it's aluminum that the screws screw into, and I don't know if it would become "stripped" if I were to unscrew everything.

 

[Psychotic4mb3r]

Welcome! . It's always nice to see new people here! I cant help you out much, I have 3 vields (I got two of them about a month ago and I just got my 3rd male today! ) so im still learning myself. But from what ive heard it sounds like a jackson would be best if your wanting a smaller cham. Or pygmy chameleons . I'm about to get me a set of pygmys myself actually. But unless you do get pygmys, you will HAVE to get a screened cage. But you can get so much info here! I know I have! . Good luck! And feel free to ask as many questions as you need, we all are here to help out as much as we can

 

[SpinyFranky]

Sorry to be the bummer, for 250 bucks will not get you far unless most of the supplies are home made.

Considering the animal alone will probably run you somewhere around $100.

This is a good setup, see the price?

CHAMELEON CHECKLIST​

Zoo Med 50 watt Halogen Heat Bulb
$11.99 each

$11.99

24 x 24 x 48 inch Aluminum Screen Cage
$79.00 each
Screen Cage Trim Color: Black

$79.00

24" fluorescent hood fixture
$26.99 each

$26.99

Zoo Med 18" Repti Sun 5.0 UVB bulb
$17.99 each

$17.99

Zoo Med regular black ceramic clip lamp
$12.99 each

$12.99

Exo Terra Jungle Vine Small
$5.99 each

$11.98

72 Inch tropical vine
$3.99 each

$7.98

Mini water dripper
$4.85 each

$4.85
Checkout
Printable page for money order
Continue shopping
Subtotal $173.77
Tax TBD
Shipping $19.95
Total $193.72

Add a spray bottle from home depot, and an accurate digital thermometer and you are all set.

Without tax here you are going to be pushing three hundred. On average my chams + setup have costs anywhere from 350-450 dollars depending on how far I go to make the animal comfortable. Recently the chams have been getting really comfortable

Good Luck,

S.F

 

[jessica]

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of chameleons!

You may want to just start out right and buy a screen enclosure LLL is reasonabley priced.

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...een/-/24-x-24-x-48-inch-aluminum-screen-cage/

Chameleons need good ventilation, stagnant air and moisture can cause respiratory problems.

If you start with proper husbandry you will have a happy healthy Chameleon. Added some links for good information

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
http://adcham.com/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/

 

[JaxyGirl]

If you do end up wanting a Jackson's...I purchased mine from www.lllreptile.com
which is one of our forum sponsors. I asked for nice straight horns with no tail or toe nips and they sent me a perfect specimen in great health. I also talked with them and they were great at answering all my questions. They sell Jackson's for $79.99. I'm sure there are plenty of places to get one but from my experience they did a great job and I do recommend them.

They also have a great deal if you're thinking of a veiled cham,. LLLrep has a great 65 gal chameleon package that comes with the baby veiled chameleon and about everything you need to house your new chameleon for only $169.99 and that includes shipping. Here's the link for that http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/animals/chameleons/-/veiled-chameleon-package/
Hope this helps

 

[chondrotastic]

Thanks for all the advice! I think im just going to bite the bullet and get the 18 by 18 by 36 cage from LLL reptiles. It comes to about 67 bucks and I have a few spare lighting fixtures and some fake spare plants and a few branches. Let me list out what I have and anyone can add to the list to see if I need anything else.
the list: (this is everything I have)!
18x18x36 screen cage
lighting fixture for UVB/ just need to get the bulb
Heat Lamp
Fake vines and plants
repti-vitimins
industrial sprayer

I think I just need a drip system and some reptile calcium? Also I live in ohio and thats why I was thinking about the aquaqrium, but is 18x18x36 a good size for an adult jackson?

Thanks everyone!!!
chondrotastic

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

If you have $250 this is what you need

http://chameleonsonly.com/Screen-Enclosures.htm

all the starter kits are really really good!

 

[JaxyGirl]

If you're thinking of a Jackson's which the males can get to up 11" or more and that doesn't include the horns. I would go with the 24 x 24 x36. I know it's more expensive but the
18 x 18 x 36 will end up being to small in the long run. Chams need as much space as possible. Everything that you have set up for your cham is going to determine whether it lives or dies and also it's quality of life.

You want to get an 18-24" UV florescent hood fixture that will hold a 5.0-10.0 UVB tube bulb. Don't use the spiral type compact UVB bulbs because forum members have found that they're too strong for a chameleons sensitive eyes and could cause blindness.

For heat you want a regular 40-60 wat bulb. Ordinary house bulb (lamp bulb) to provide a basking spot at approx 85 degrees F I use a clear house hold bulb for about 3-4 bucks. That's what you want to put in your clamp lamp.

You don't need a separate heat bulb or red night heat bulb because Jackson's like it cool and they can easily go down to 60 degrees at night.

You need reptivitamins and also very Important "calcium and vitamin D3" supplements.

I also suggest a timer so that your lights will automatically come on in the morning and off in the eve. I do approx 12 on and 12 0ff.

Along with the fake vines and plant's I would put in a real pathos plant that you can hang from the top of the cage. My Jackson's loves his and actually helps to keep the humidity up in the cage.

Most important is to keep the Jackson's well hydrated. Mine drinks directly from the spray bottle. This species need lots of water to keep them healthy.

Get your cage all set up and then ask the members to give advice on the set up so you can make any changes before you get your new baby. Then order your chameleon and have fun

 

[joopasaur]

I would suggest Rudis, or Pygmy. Their both small.

Jackson's are wonderful chams! I would suggest male if you get one because they have gorgeous horns. But they can't live in aquariums and they can get pricey. I would go for rudis or pygmy. Also, if you want one, don't get one from a pet store get it from FL chams.

http://flchams.com/

Good Luck!

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

I agree FLChams has amazing chameleon service! I am never disappointed with them