panther vs. veild?

[JessicaBay]

alright, what is better for a begginer who wants a chameleon?

 

[Zen Reptiles]

Veileds are cheaper, live longer, are more forgiving of temperature and humidity mistakes, can go longer without food, and despite their reputation can be quite tame and friendly if you work with them over time.

Panthers are colorful, live half as long, require precise temperatures, need a misting system to keep them hydrated and the humidity up, are pickier with their food, and are not as forgiving of mistakes.

I started with a pair of veileds and I learned a lot which I now apply to panthers, of which I am learning a lot from that will apply to other species I'd like to keep in the future.

There are some incredible looking veileds out there, but the reason panthers are so popular is because of their color variations and people like that they can have a lizard that is a one-of-a-kind color variation.

I would say veiled, but if you have experience with reptiles then a panther is a good choice as well.

 

[ChameleonFan1989]

I have one of each and they very similar in care but panthers as the poster stated above or less forgiving than veileds are regarding humidity and heat. Veileds come from a dryer climate and require less humidity levels.

My experience, panthers tolerate humans more than veileds do, I don't like using the word friendly because there not, they tolerate us, doesn't mean they like us lol

Veileds are cheaper than panthers, panthers have a variety of locals and colours.

But I would do with either as a started cham

 

[Lala0]

Both

Both veiled and panther chams are both seen as relitivly 'hardy' chameleons. Although a veiled is slightly easier to care for, the panther is easier on the eye!

 

[Olimpia]

Both are just as easy. I started with neither, I got a Jackson's instead, and he was a great first chameleon also. It honestly depends on how well you think you can meet their needs. But the care of panthers and veileds is super similar.

I would politely disagree with Zen, both species are capable of living just as long and I would argue that both can be just as hardy. Many people keep both species living outside full-time and they tolerate heat, cold, humidity, rain, etc. I have done this and my panthers will be outside at 90-something degrees or at 50-something degrees and go just as strong as my veiled did.

Up to you, both are highly recommended for beginners.

 

[JessicaBay]

cool! i think i might actually go for a panther! I am not a big fan of the gargantuan casque(it doesnt really matter, just a downside to the veilds) and i heard that panthers can be so called "tamed". as one of you said, no chameleon is friendly, they simply pretend that we are a tree.

Screameleons seems like a good offer for a female panther and a starter kit, so i might go for that depending on what other people say to this thread.

Thanks,

Jessica

 

[CamiGirl89]

I own two veileds currently, and am soon going to be a mom for a panther, as well. Veterinarians and many breeders say that Panthers and Veilds live equally long lives (as Olimpia said). On average, females live 2-3 years, and males live 5-7. Again, these are averages, I have heard of males living to 8 (there are some wonderful pictures on here of elderly panthers and veilds), and even instances of females living to 4! It all depends on husbandry and genetics/egg-laying, really. They are both fabulous species, veileds have quite the huffy attitude, and panthers are known to USUALLY be a little more laid back. Hope this helps

 

[Olimpia]

Female panthers won't get as flashy as males, I don't know if you're aware or not, so I'll mention it just in case. I love my female, and think she is the prettiest pinks and peaches, but not everyone is happy with females or loves them as much. Also, females are great pets but they will lay infertile eggs every so often, even without a male present, so egg-laying is something that you'll have to read up on. It's less daunting than it sounds but it can still be a time of worry for us owners, hoping that they lay everything without any speed bumps.

Here's an excellent blog that outlines the care of females (it's for veileds but will work just the same for panthers) and what to do differently: http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html

 

[JessicaBay]

Female panthers won't get as flashy as males, I don't know if you're aware or not, so I'll mention it just in case. I love my female, and think she is the prettiest pinks and peaches, but not everyone is happy with females or loves them as much. Also, females are great pets but they will lay infertile eggs every so often, even without a male present, so egg-laying is something that you'll have to read up on. It's less daunting than it sounds but it can still be a time of worry for us owners, hoping that they lay everything without any speed bumps.

Here's an excellent blog that outlines the care of females (it's for veileds but will work just the same for panthers) and what to do differently: http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html

Thanks olympia!

i know all about egg laying, to provide your chammy with a 8 inch deep container and fill it with natural. place her in it or place it in her cage and let her do her buisness. maybe make a peephole so you can tell when she is done. then if they are infertile,discard. are there any steps i am missing?

 

[JessicaBay]

i meant natural soil, and moisten it.

 

[Olimpia]

OK great! You'd be horrified if you knew how many people show up with a female and go "she's going to do WHAT? But I don't own a male!" And then the poor girls die, so it's a shame. I'm glad you've looked into it already.

 

[JessicaBay]

OK great! You'd be horrified if you knew how many people show up with a female and go "she's going to do WHAT? But I don't own a male!" And then the poor girls die, so it's a shame. I'm glad you've looked into it already.

yah, i will not in a million years let a chameleon become eggbound.

 

[ScalesTailsandClaws]

yah, i will not in a million years let a chameleon become eggbound.

Sometimes it's just out of your power. I know of at least one case of eggbinding that was discussed on these forums in which the owner did everything they could and it just wasn't meant to be.... It can happen.

Females are great, but they don't live as long and are more challenging than males due to eggs. I wouldn't START with a female.

 

[mcleodschams]

i agree i lost my female after hundreds of dollars at the vet she still did not make it the worst is she wasnopt mated so she died from an infertile clutch of eggs and i couldnt help her R.I.P Fawn

I would suggest starting with a male

 

[ScalesTailsandClaws]

i agree i lost my female after hundreds of dollars at the vet she still did not make it the worst is she wasnopt mated so she died from an infertile clutch of eggs and i couldnt help her R.I.P Fawn

I would suggest starting with a male

I'm so sorry to hear about that.

Poor Fawn. You did everything you could.

I strongly suggest a male (if it's an egg laying species) for a first chameleon.

 

[CamiGirl89]

It is very scary, some females even become egg-bound without showing signs of even being interested in laying... Happened to a chameleon I gave to a friend of mine . No signs of digging in their laying bin, no reduction of eating, no aggression towards the male... nothing! Females are alot of fun, but goodness has my stress level risen since I have been breeding and caring for them! Whew!