New to everything

[Chameleon for me]

I've looked up what is needed for a chameleon, but just seeing a big list is overwhelming, I need it to be piece by piece. To start, I would like to have one of these big long list in order of what I should get first. Just a simple list, I would like to go more into detail with each item individually later on. I have never kept reptiles, but I would like to get a chameleon, I will be purchasing a 4 foot tall wire mesh style cage with a 2 foot by 2 foot base, I don't have it yet, but when it comes time and I have the money, this will be the home. I have read that veileds are the best for beginners, specifically males, so this is what I intend to get. I have nine aquariums, and a ton of fish, snails, shrimp, and frogs, I also have cats, a dog, a guinea pig, and chickens, I am not new to animals, but I an to reptiles and chameleons.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forms. The cage is a good thing to start with and week by week you can fill your cage and after everything is complete you can test it for a few weeks and if the heat and humidity is good you'll be ready for your veiled. I just love veileds! They are one of my favorite species. You can see my veileds here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/my-beautiful-veileds.142194/

Here is my blog for how I recommend keeping young veileds. I can also recommend some excellent breeders if you are interested.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-with-young-veiled-or-panther-chameleons.325/

 

[trickedoutbiker]

I've looked up what is needed for a chameleon, but just seeing a big list is overwhelming

Ok, so no big lists. Gotcha.

To start, I would like to have one of these big long list in order of what I should get first

But I thought the big list was overwhelming?

Just a simple list, I would like to go more into detail with each item individually later on.

Ok.... so a "big simple" list. Kind of like.... "jumbo shrimp" or "living dead" or "virtual reality"



Have you checked out the RESOURCES tab at the top of the website and looked at the care sheets for your Veiled you are wanting? The 24 x 24 (2 x 2) cage you are wanting is a good start. You will also need lights - a UVB and a basking light. You will want vines, branches, fake plants, real plants. PLANTS! You will also need a dripper or a hand sprayer, and an automated misting machine is a good idea to keep your chameleon hydrated throughout the day. You will also need gauges so that way you can monitor the temperature and humidity within the cage. With spraying the cage to raise humidity comes water, and with that, you will need some sort of way to drain excess water out of your cage whether this be by wiping it up or making some sort of drainage tray. Otherwise, water will collect at the bottom of the enclosure and that is a breeding ground for bacteria. You will need feeder insects. Lots and lots of different feeder insects. The more, the better. You will need calcium with D3, calcium without D3, and multivitamins to lightly dust your insects with. With those insects, you will need to house them in some sort of tub or container. So you will need to look into that. You will need to gutload your feeders, so you will need gutload material (both dry and wet). Lots of insects require heat and/or light of some sort to thrive properly as well, so you will also have to do your research on how to house your feeder insects properly. You will need some sort of stand or table to put the cage on, as they don't like to be low to the ground. The higher up, the better.

That's just to get you started. Most of the information you are seeking can be found by browsing the RESOURCES tab and checking through each section, reading it and compiling a list of things as you go

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/

Those tabs give lots of valuable information regarding your reptile, and it's best to inform yourself as much as you can before you devote yourself to purchasing your first reptile. Because there is most definitely one thing you will need above anything else for your chameleon, and that is LOVE and PATIENCE. Without either of those two, you cannot have success. These are very delicate reptiles and take a little more attention and care than most other reptiles. So give all those caresheets and info sheets a read. Look up common diseases and problems people have with chameleons such as MBD or URI or Dehydration - make sure you know symptoms to look for and what the difference is between a healthy chameleon and a sick chameleon. Most of the bad things can be caught by simple observation, as well as checking the feces of your animal.

If you compile a list, and read through the info, and do some research, and still have questions.... There is a giant community here to help you. No worries.

 

[Chameleon for me]

Thanks you both so much, I had a look around this site, as well as others, but I can't absorb information unless it is directed towards me, and unless recommend by someone who has kept them, I don't know if the site is giving correct information, so thank you.

When I first get my cage, I plan to get the stand, cage, lights, and water tray to start, I want to purchase everything a bit at a time, so I don't forget or overwhelm myself and do something wrong, I have tried this with fish, so I know this is not something for me. I also already have some pothos plants and have been considering a ficus tree as well, but I am not sure yet if I want to get one.


I plan to get the zoo med reptibreeze screen cage, 24 by 24, by 48, tall. Is this a good cage to have?

What brand and size lights should be purchased for this cage if it is a good one?

What drip tray would be the best? How is it installed, and do I have to make it myself.

I would like THE BEST, I am not putting a constraint on the price in any way.

 

[kiwilulu]

Try dragon strand cages and their trays. Top notch
For lights, look at these
Tropic Blaze™ HO T5 24" Quad Fixture WITH Arcadia 6% Bulb & 2 6.5k Daylight Bulbs and Free Plant PRO Bulb

 

[Lathis]

Seeing the big long list of everything you need can indeed be overwhelming. Where I would recommend spending money on high-quality items are the cage, the lights, and a misting system. The quick and dirty of what I would recommend, in order of purchase:

1. Cage - 4x2x2 screen cage is perfect for all but the largest chameleons. For a male veiled, it is great. If you want really nice quality, look at Dragonstand - people rave about them. I had an LLL Reptiles brand 2x2x4 and it was fine, but nothing fancy. DIY Cages are also well recommended. One nice thing about Dragonstand is that they give you several options for sides (screen, white plastic, or clear plastic) to customize just what you want. There is an even larger Atrium size, if you want to go bigger (http://dragonstrand.com). Plus, Dragonstand also has these great little ledges that you can use to support branches and plants.
2. Drainage Tray - invest in the drainage tray (the type that the cage sits on top of, not the kind that slides inside).
3. Stand - Table or stand for your cage.
4. UV/Grow Lights - Light Your Reptiles, get a T5 high output dual-fixture with one 6% Arcadia bulb and one 6500k grow lamp. The Arcadia brand light quality is amazing and LYR has excellent customer service. (http://www.lightyourreptiles.com/24...-arcadia-6-and-6-5k-day-light-bulbs-included/)
5. Basking Lamp - No need for anything fancy. Pick up a metal dome shop fixture at the hardware store and get some 60w or 75w regular house bulbs.
6. Misting System - MistKing Starter set (http://www.mistking.com/Starter-Misting-System-v4-MKMSS-125-50.html) or Climist (http://www.climist.com/) has a similar system. Avoid the Monsoon, Reptirain, Habbamist, and other cheaper options. A good misting system is an excellent investment. Don't waste your money on a waterfall. You don't *have* to have a misting system, a lot of people manage without, but they are very convenient.
7. Timer - I have the old version of this one (http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-Digital...qid=1457132855&sr=8-2&keywords=reptile+timers). To control all your lights and everything else, this is very useful.
8. Plants - Pothos (epipremnum aureum), umbrella plant (schefflera arboricola), and ficus tree (ficus benjamina) are all great options for chameleons, which one caveat - Veileds sometimes like to chew on plants and all three of these can be irritants if eaten. Hibiscus are great and the flowers are edible for your cham, but I had a hard time keeping them alive. Buy large, rounded river stones to cover the soil.
9. Other Accessories - Vines and sticks and a digital hygrometer/thermometer.
10. Supplements - Plain calcium and a separate multivitamin with D3
11. Bugs - Small aquariums or plastic totes to house your crickets and other bugs is very helpful. I use 10 gallon aquariums for everything - very easy to clean.
12. Chameleon!

My recommendations are not necessarily the *cheapest* options, but are good quality and should last you the life of the animal. Good luck!

 

[Chameleon for me]

Thank you, that is what I needed to know, I really want to get top notch stuff here, in keeping fish, I have learned that the better the equipment, the better it all ends up working out in the long run. The only thing is, the more money it cost, the longer it will take for me to get the money, but I am willing to wait as long as is needed to get better quality supplies and give my cameleon the best life I can offer.

Another question -
With fish, you have to cycle the tanks for about a month prior to adding them, is there anything like this that has to be done with cameleons, or just make sure everything is working properly and set up first?

 

[Chameleon for me]

Also, I have read that if you buy a cameleon when it is still young, you need to get a smaller cage to start. I don't yet know where I am getting mine, there is an expo next month, but I doubt I'll be ready by then. I am trying to find a good breeder. What age do you recommend getting and how does the smaller cage system work?

 

[Chameleon for me]

http://dragonstrand.com/product/large-keeper-screen-cage/

Is this a good one? I want all screen, I read from a few sites that they can be stressed by reflections, and this is the recommended size.


What about the drainage tray? Is this the right type?

http://dragonstrand.com/product/large-keeper-drainage-tray/

 

[Lathis]

http://dragonstrand.com/product/large-keeper-screen-cage/
Is this a good one? I want all screen, I read from a few sites that they can be stressed by reflections, and this is the recommended size.
What about the drainage tray? Is this the right type?
http://dragonstrand.com/product/large-keeper-drainage-tray/

Yes and yes. I think you will be very happy with that cage.

Also, I have read that if you buy a chameleon when it is still young, you need to get a smaller cage to start.

It really depends on the chameleon size. If you get a very, very young chameleon, it can be good to house them in a smaller cage to make sure they are eating. For a veiled of 5-6 months or older, I think a full size cage would be fine and probably much appreciated since you won't have to switch out their home after a few months. I would recommend getting a cham about that age and no younger.


For a breeder, have you looked at the site sponsors? https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/
That's always a great place to start! If you let us know where you are, maybe someone on the forum will have a local recommendation, too.

With fish, you have to cycle the tanks for about a month prior to adding them, is there anything like this that has to be done with chameleons, or just make sure everything is working properly and set up first?

No cycling or anything like that is necessary. You'll want to wash off the plant leaves and either repot with organic soil or cover the dirt with large round stones. It can be good to get everything set up, let the plants adjust, and get at the settings just right, but there is no cycling in terms of tank keeping.

 

[Lathis]

Also, one of the members here, Nick Barta, makes feeder cups that are fantastic. I absolutely love mine; it works like a charm to create a place that your cham knows food will be. Plus, i love that it is a magnet, so there is no hole-poking in the screen. His email is in the post below.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/magnetized-camo-feeder-cups.144411/

 

[Chameleon for me]

Thanks, as for my area, I live in oregon, usa, close to the portland area. Do you know of anyone close by who would be good.

I will check out the feeder cups, I may get one.

What age would you recommend that I get my chameleon at? What are the benefits of getting them at this age?

 

[Lathis]

Thanks, as for my area, I live in oregon, usa, close to the portland area. Do you know of anyone close by who would be good.

I will check out the feeder cups, I may get one.

What age would you recommend that I get my chameleon at? What are the benefits of getting them at this age?

5-6 months or older is perfect. Chameleon babies can be a bit fragile but by this age, they should be thriving. Plus, they should start showing adult colors now or very soon, so you can get a better idea of coloration, if that is something important to you.

 

[Lathis]

I know you said Veiled earlier, but if you are interested in a panther, their care is very similar and would be fine for a new chameleon keeper. A member here @Matt Vanilla Gorilla has 5 month old babies for sale that are showing some nice colors - you might reach out to Matt if that interests you. Plus a lot of our forum sponsors have beautiful panther cham breeding projects.

 

[Chameleon for me]

What are the differences between panther and veiled? Should I still get a male if I get a panther?

 

[trickedoutbiker]

What are the differences between panther and veiled?

The difference is species. One is a Veiled, with a crown/casque on this head.... and one is a Panther, which is sooo colorful.

 

[Chameleon for me]

Are there any differences in their care requirements?

 

[Chameleon for me]

I think that I want to get a panther. Is there anything I should change with my list at all?

 

[Chameleon for me]

I read that they ate a slightly smaller species, should I still get the 2×2×4 cage or should I get a smaller one?

 

[kiwilulu]

For a male get the 2x2x4
For a female, at least 18x18x36, but you can go with the 2x2x4. Consider if you are going to leave a laying bin permanently: that is going to take some of your cage space and I would go with the 2x2x4 for sure