Newbie-Advice Needed

[Sladeighty5]

Hello,

So I am thinking of getting a cham for the first time. I have had a lot of different pets but never one of these. I have read through this site but was looking for some examples. Does anyone have an example of a good enclosure available online? Glass or screen? I live in Michigan. Also, any recommendations as far as species go?

Thanks!!

 

[zlew]

Read these caresheets to help you decide. Personally, I like panther chameleons
The caresheets here on the forum are the best ones you can find.

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

 

[repdog]

Agreed read the care sheets. I love the panther's as well. I'm growing to like the carpets and meller's.

 

[pearldrums2]

I agree with zlew. Definitely read the caresheets. I also love the panther chameleons. I have the Ambilobes. I have 2 of them and they are awesome with some great personalities already. My male is 6 months old and my female is 4 months old. It is quite an addiction as well. Good luck with your decision.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. I have a blog for new keepers that you might find helpful. I have it linked below. It tells pretty much what all you need for a chameleon with links to pictures and where you can buy each item. Most chameleon supplies have to be ordered on line and can not be found in you local pet stores.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[Duhjoker]

Its true about finding supplies like cages and supplements, lights and so on. Your local stores carry the bare minimum. And its pretty cheap to get started. I got my cage, dowels, plants and stuff all on ebay. And after receiving my Cham my total was $200. You also want to make sure you can find feeder insects and buy a small aquarium to hold them in. But yes please read the care sheets

 

[DekuScrub]

I always recommend Veileds for starters. Theyre relatively cheap and hardy. Very tolerant of newbie mistakes. AND that casque (the thingy on their head) looks awesome.

Another point i try to make to would be chameleon owners is theyre not a pet.
More of a display animal. Like a fish would be. Not that handling is out of the question, regular handling in my opinion is an important part of being a keeper.

Just don't expect it to come running and hop on you hand every time you open the cage. Though ive had a few chameleons that were prone to doing this. The personalities vary greatly even of the same species.

Just be respectful of their "bubble".

 

[Sladeighty5]

Thank you for all of the responses. I will for sure read the care sheets carefully to help me decide. There is a monthly reptile show near my house so I plan on getting on there once I'm ready. In the mean time, I want to get everything ready.

Jannb, I will be reading through your blog tonight. Thank you for providing that!

 

[Sladeighty5]

I always recommend Veileds for starters. Theyre relatively cheap and hardy. Very tolerant of newbie mistakes. AND that casque (the thingy on their head) looks awesome.

Another point i try to make to would be chameleon owners is theyre not a pet.
More of a display animal. Like a fish would be. Not that handling is out of the question, regular handling in my opinion is an important part of being a keeper.

Just don't expect it to come running and hop on you hand every time you open the cage. Though ive had a few chameleons that were prone to doing this. The personalities vary greatly even of the same species.

Just be respectful of their "bubble".

Good point on the handling aspect. I've been in the saltwater fish hobby for about 8 years so I know how that goes. My plan was to try and handle it often as a baby so it gets use to me. If for whatever reason it doesn't work out, it will strictly be more of a display.

 

[kwengkynator]

Getting them to tolerate or even like your handling would take a lot of time and investment. But when that first moment when your cham walks to your hand and just climbs all over you after a month of being nothing but an anti-social butterfly, PRICELESS

Best of luck and make sure to visit this site everyday! I've learned so much from here.

 

[Sladeighty5]

Ok so I got my enclosure. It is 16x16x30. I'm now looking for some bulbs. I have 2 circular lamps that I would like to use. It seems all the UVBs are either tubes or the longer style of screw ins which might be too long to sit on top of the cage. How do people usually set up their UVB lights?

 

[jandlweston]

Ok so I got my enclosure. It is 16x16x30. I'm now looking for some bulbs. I have 2 circular lamps that I would like to use. It seems all the UVBs are either tubes or the longer style of screw ins which might be too long to sit on top of the cage. How do people usually set up their UVB lights?

I have the same enclosure and the single bulbs work well (mercury vapor) they provide basking heat and uva/uvb...Im new too and using the exo terra Solar Glo 125w seemed to be the best choice...but make sure they cant get too close to these bulbs.

 

[repdog]

The only bulbs I use are from lightyourreptiles.com. They provide the best light, lights up the whole cage, and you don't have to supplement with D3 as much. The bulbs do the job for you.

 

[MelissaB]

Good point on the handling aspect. I've been in the saltwater fish hobby for about 8 years so I know how that goes. My plan was to try and handle it often as a baby so it gets use to me. If for whatever reason it doesn't work out, it will strictly be more of a display.

One of my panthers, Otto, would go absolutely bonkers when you got near him, when he was little. He was scared, I think because he was small. He chilled out A LOT when he got around 9 months or so.
I would cup and hand feed him when he wouldn't tolerate handling, that way it was on his terms. Now he wants to come out and will climb on my hand willingly. My other panther, Oscar, doesn't want to be handled at all. He's very cautious, and will cup/hand feed if you have something good. They definitely have their own unique personalities.

 

[Sladeighty5]

Thanks for the responses! So I have a couple of options as the Petsmart by my house is going out of business. I picked up a All Living Things 18" fixture with a UVB 25 bulb (it was on sale so why not). I also grabbed a Reptisub 10.0 bulb. Which one do I use? I've read a lot of mixed reviews on the 5.0 and 10.0. To start I will be using either a 20" or 30" high cage.