New to the game...

[ashley_krynicky]

Hey guys I've been a member on here for a little while reading and learning and preparing for a new addition, my first chameleon. I was wondering for you guys had any thoughts on the species I'm looking at. I'm trying to decide between carpet, veiled, or panther. I've been reading up on panther and veiled but there isn't as much info, that I could find, on caring for carpets. Any input will help. Thanks!

 

[brownie64]

Carpets are a beautiful species, especially the female. Some will disagree with me, but I think they are a little harder to keep than veiled, or panthers do to the fact they are harder to find captive bred, they are smaller, and their life span is shorter. But if you are interested in one, and you do your homework keeping these as a first time cham is very doable, and rewarding. Good luck.

 

[MSMorgan]

Ashley,

Welcome to the site. Glad to see that you've been doing your homework. I believe there's a few folks that are keeping carpet chameleons here. You might search carpets and see who posted or replied to them and then send them a PM. Another idea is to post a separate message with carpets in the title to illicit more traffic on you inquiry and hopefully a response.

The folks here are great. While I was typing a response, Brownie posted. You're in good hands Ashley.

 

[maya2]

I have one veiled and one carpet and I actually have an easier time with my carpet. A lot of this is just them being different individuals though. I honestly think they're about the same except that veiled have the advantage on being more common in the trade.

If you're interested in carpets though, here's a great page for that:
http://www.chameleonnews.com/06MayStanford.html

Kevin Stanford also breeds amazing carpet chameleons (my boy is from him and he's the sweetest thing) so you might check out his facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kevinstanfordchameleons/?fref=ts


Hope that helps!

 

[xraygirl]

When I finally became serious in wanting a chameleon after 13 years, I did a lot of research and was looking into getting a veiled because they aren't as expensive as panthers, but quickly learned that veileds can sometimes have a bit of a feisty attitude, and a panther has a higher chance of being more mellow than a veiled. When I first started researching, all I could find was panthers that were starting at $350 for babies from a high end breeder, and I knew I didn't want anything of breeding quality, because I wasn't (and still not) wanting to get into breeding. I was all prepared to save up for a $350 chameleon until I ran into a "consignment" chameleon at a local (repticon) show for $150 and he was healthy other than some cosmetic issues that were easy to fix.
There are many chameleons out there that need new homes and can be adopted from several known folks (House of Chameleons, Chameo, etc).
I can't help you on carpets, I don't see many of them available often, but the folks above have given good links to start at. They are beautiful little guys though.
However, you are doing the right thing by doing a lot of research

 

[ashley_krynicky]

Thanks everybody! I am finding all this really helpful! I think I'm going with a carpet! I'm so excited! Thanks again for the help!

 

[Orcawhale]

Thanks everybody! I am finding all this really helpful! I think I'm going with a carpet! I'm so excited! Thanks again for the help!

Congratulations! Best of luck!!!