New to the Chameleon community, First post!

[TazersOnFullCharge!]

Hi All!

I am new to the forum and the Chameleon community. I am planning on getting a Chameleon soon, there is a Female Veiled Chameleon at my local Petco, thta I was thinking about getting.

I am also interested in the Panther Chameleons, and I actually want a male Panther or Veiled Cham.

I am pretty new to Chameleons and reptiles, I have been watching youtube videos, and reading up on their care.

I purchased my enclosure, Basking lamp, UVB lamp, a mister, a fogger, temp and humidity gauge and the basic supplements.

I am going to set it up this weekend, I still need to get some live plants and sticks.

I live in the Chicago area, and it is really cold here right now, so I have been monitoring the inside the house temperature, and it stays in the 65 to 66 degree fahrenheit inside with the Heater kicking in on and off.

I am going to check out a few local pet stores this weekend, but I feel Chamelelons are hard to find around here, especially Males.

I look forward to learning and sharing with you on here.

Thanks,

David

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Hello and welcome to the chamily!

All of the breeders on the sponsor list are very experienced and trustworthy. If this is your first, getting one from a breeder other than petco will probably be better. Chameleons from petco are not cared for correctly and have a higher risk of infections and parasites. Here is the list to the sponsors if you would like to see some of the beautiful chams https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons
I would recommend watching Neptune the chameleon on YouTube, her videos are very resourceful and helped me a lot. If you have any questions on the husbandry or anything else please feel free to ask

 

[TazersOnFullCharge!]

Hello and welcome to the chamily!

All of the breeders on the sponsor list are very experienced and trustworthy. If this is your first, getting one from a breeder other than petco will probably be better. Chameleons from petco are not cared for correctly and have a higher risk of infections and parasites. Here is the list to the sponsors if you would like to see some of the beautiful chams https://www.chameleonforums.com/sponsors/?tag=chameleons
I would recommend watching Neptune the chameleon on YouTube, her videos are very resourceful and helped me a lot. If you have any questions on the husbandry or anything else please feel free to ask

Hi Sherbertmysunshine, Thanks!

I will check out the breeders on the sponsor list,

I just got back from visiting the Chameleon at the local Petco.

Yes, I do watch Neptune the Chameleon Youtube, she has been very informative, and fun to watch.

Thanks!

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

if you feel the cham at Petco is the right one, we can help you find an exotic vet so you can make sure there are no parasites or infections. There are quite a few people on here that got a chameleon from Petco that are living an amazing life.
if you're leaning towards Veileds, Framschams will occasionally have them.

Whatever you choose to do, were here to help

 

[TazersOnFullCharge!]

if you feel the cham at Petco is the right one, we can help you find an exotic vet so you can make sure there are no parasites or infections. There are quite a few people on here that got a chameleon from Petco that are living an amazing life.
if you're leaning towards Veileds, Framschams will occasionally have them.

Whatever you choose to do, were here to help

Thanks, I do like the Veiled Chams, but the one at Petco is a female, and I want a Male Cham. She has been there since the end of October.
I have been looking around, and it is hard to find a Male Veiled Cam, most people have Panther Chams.

 

[GrannyK]

Welcome to the forum and world of chameleons!!! These little stinkers are amazing, whichever species you decide to go with. Each has its own personality and it’s great. You’ve been given great feedback so far. Keep in mind, a female cham will lay eggs so it a bit more stressful sometimes with them. But if you’re up for the challenge, females are beautiful!!

 

[Gloriawood]

Hi and welcome!!! The only thing I have to add is when you get your enclosure set up, let us know and we can do a husbandry review for you so you have everything perfect for your new Cham. We are so glad you are here!

 

[TazersOnFullCharge!]

Welcome to the forum and world of chameleons!!! These little stinkers are amazing, whichever species you decide to go with. Each has its own personality and it’s great. You’ve been given great feedback so far. Keep in mind, a female cham will lay eggs so it a bit more stressful sometimes with them. But if you’re up for the challenge, females are beautiful!!

Hi GrannyK, Thank you!
Yes, that is why I want to get a male, and nothave to deal with the egg laying.

 

[TazersOnFullCharge!]

Hi and welcome!!! The only thing I have to add is when you get your enclosure set up, let us know and we can do a husbandry review for you so you have everything perfect for your new Cham. We are so glad you are here!

Hi Gloriawood, Thank you!
Yes, I will let you know when it is setup for review. Thanks!

 

[MzLaurie]

Hello and welcome David. So glad you found your way here. First, the size cage you get is important do you don’t have to upgrade. 2’x2’x4’. Get a 24” uvb light. I use reptisun cause they usually have a nice deal on the hood with a 22” bulb that is the right kind. A linear uvb bulb is a must cause the others only penetrate down three to five inches and your chameleon will get MBD metabolic bone disease, which can be a killer for chameleons. Also the heat/ basking lamp needs to be set above a basking spot that is about 6-7 inches below the light. I like a basking setup that has a dimmer switch cause either different species, age, sex, all factor into how hot the basking perch should be at. Also save yourself a lot of bulbs by getting a splash proof 50-75 watt bulb. They are a bit more expensive but last a long time and you need a hand mister too. Misting triggers the drink impulse in a chameleon. Also you need to build the cage as if it is a jungle gym for them to climb all over the place to hunt. I like bend-a-branch by Flukers inexpensive in three thicknesses and is chameleon tested. online or on here you can find chameleon safe plant lists. Now veiled are known to eat plants so no fake plants whatsoever in the cage. You are right to start with a male veiled as they are more hardy with less issues then a female. Females lay eggs wether they have been fertilized or not. Veiled females usually have the largest clutches which can lead to all kind of vet required issues. I got my veiled at four months old and had him shipped to me. I would definitely wait till after Xmas due to shipping delays if you go that route. Also have your cage all set up and let us go over everything with you. Make sure all plants and sticks are washed good before putting it in the cage. This is very exciting but just know there is a lot to learn. If you have bought stuff for the cage that is not appropriate we will let you know so you can return it and get the right thing. Do not listen to sales people as they are all most likely misinformed. I wish you the best of luck. Once again welcome. Oh screen cages are the best and a lot of us take vinyl like a shower curtain and cut it to fit the back then tape it to the outside of the frame then do the same thing to the side where the electrical cords from the lights go to prevent fires when you spray water. It also helps keep the humidity up. They can survive in ambient temps (room temp) as low as 50 degrees so 60-65 is fine!