Pondering a chameleon companion..

CunningMoss

CunningMoss

New Member
So, I was pondering getting a chameleon companion. I was wondering quite an extensive amount of questions.

First, is this a decent cage? I don't wanna spend too much!
2ikbux.jpg


It's a trash can, i could put the chameleon in it, and i was thinking that i could put the trash bag in there too and change out the trash bag every month or so.

So I could pick up some fried chicken on the way home once a day or so, and put it in the trash, and it would eat it and be happy?

For misting i was thinking i could put the trash can out in the rain when it rains here. Is that okay?


-

Alright that was a joke as I'm sure you know that is quite abusive. :p but i am interested in chameleons. I am in college for veterinary medicine, specifically avian surgery and care, so i'm not a stranger to caring for animals. I can learn quickly, but i have not had training with reptiles, so I seek out this fine forum. There's a lot of conflicting information out there and it is extremely difficult to determine what is valid and what is just folklore..

I've done a little bit of my own research, but I need some help in preparation for getting a chameleon. I do my research before getting him because it's a lot more difficult to nurse a wounded one back to health than it is to just get prepared..

My 3 favorite species are Triocerus Melleri, Calumma parsonii and Chamaleo Calytraptus in that order. I do not consider parson's an option right now due to the additional difficulty of care, but it's still one of my favorite species :)

Any way, for the physical item preparations, I could use some help too.

I have a couple ideas for the original purchase so far but need some input:


Exo Terra 60 Watt Ceramic Bulb
24" fluorescent hood fixture (does this item hold the UVB only?)
Zoo Med 18" Repti Sun 5.0 UVB bulb
8 1/2" Aluminum Lamp Fixtures (would hanging the ceramic bulb from a lamp over the cage be a decent idea or no?)

Rep Cal Calcium WITHOUT D3
RepCal ultra fine calcium with D3

Basic care information, need some input with this too:

Calcium supplement without d3 on all feeders, calcium with d3 on 2 feeders per month, multivitamin on 2 feeders per month.. Gutload feeders with a bunch of fruit and vegetables?

3 mists a day to a saturated but not soaked level?

78- 88 degrees F during the day with a basking spot of 95?

UVB light on for about 10 hours a day?

Food such as crickets, silkworms, and mealworms? (haven't confirmed amounts)

Not sure about the cage yet.. would this one work well? http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/260-gallon-basic-reptarium/

Also not sure about how to time the UVB lights, basking lights, etc what kind of gadget would I get for that? Some thing like:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...imers/-/zilla-247-digital-timer-power-center/ ?

thanks for the help.
 
Welcome!
give up on the parsons idea.
cant get them... at all.. not being imported, nto even being bred by anyone who will sell. and if they do sell them, they will be worth over 1000 bucks.
melleri are harder to care for toom but not as bad,
however many are wild caught, and need to be wormed, and can oftentimes be in bad shape.
Veileds are great! hehhe I have two. I also have a tricerious hoehnelli.

Basking temps for veileds should onl ybe like 88. most dont need or want it at 95.

i didnt look at the cage, but adult veileds need a 2x2x4 cage.

UVB on 12 hours a day, basking on 12 hours a day, then off for 12 hours at night to sleep, no lights at night.
Good luck!
 
CunningMoss said:
So, I was pondering getting a chameleon companion. I was wondering quite an extensive amount of questions.

First, is this a decent cage? I don't wanna spend too much!
2ikbux.jpg


It's a trash can, i could put the chameleon in it, and i was thinking that i could put the trash bag in there too and change out the trash bag every month or so.

So I could pick up some fried chicken on the way home once a day or so, and put it in the trash, and it would eat it and be happy?

For misting i was thinking i could put the trash can out in the rain when it rains here. Is that okay?


-

Alright that was a joke as I'm sure you know that is quite abusive. :p but i am interested in chameleons. I am in college for veterinary medicine, specifically avian surgery and care, so i'm not a stranger to caring for animals. I can learn quickly, but i have not had training with reptiles, so I seek out this fine forum. There's a lot of conflicting information out there and it is extremely difficult to determine what is valid and what is just folklore..
You sir, are going to fit in here...
I've done a little bit of my own research, but I need some help in preparation for getting a chameleon. I do my research before getting him because it's a lot more difficult to nurse a wounded one back to health than it is to just get prepared..

My 3 favorite species are Triocerus Melleri, Calumma parsonii and Chamaleo Calytraptus in that order. I do not consider parson's an option right now due to the additional difficulty of care, but it's still one of my favorite species :)

Any way, for the physical item preparations, I could use some help too.

I have a couple ideas for the original purchase so far but need some input:


Exo Terra 60 Watt Ceramic Bulb Heat emitters are only needed when nite time temps fall below 50F
24" fluorescent hood fixture (does this item hold the UVB only?)I use a 24" fixture. Mine hold one UVB and one plant/grow light.
Zoo Med 18" Repti Sun 5.0 UVB bulbThis is recomended yes
8 1/2" Aluminum Lamp Fixtures (would hanging the ceramic bulb from a lamp over the cage be a decent idea or no?)A regular white house hold bulb, 75watt(ish) is better, as it replicates the sun.

Rep Cal Calcium WITHOUT D3
RepCal ultra fine calcium with D3
You will also need a multivitamin.
You can use Repashy Calcium Plus as well for most chams(all in one)
Basic care information, need some input with this too:

Calcium supplement without d3 on all feeders, calcium with d3 on 2 feeders per month, multivitamin on 2 feeders per month.. Gutload feeders with a bunch of fruit and vegetables?

3 mists a day to a saturated but not soaked level?

78- 88 degrees F during the day with a basking spot of 95?

UVB light on for about 10 hours a day?
10-12
Food such as crickets, silkworms, and mealworms? (haven't confirmed amounts)

Not sure about the cage yet.. would this one work well? http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/260-gallon-basic-reptarium/

Also not sure about how to time the UVB lights, basking lights, etc what kind of gadget would I get for that? Some thing like:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...imers/-/zilla-247-digital-timer-power-center/ ?

thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Thats all the input I have atm. You seem to have the general idea already. There are different care requirements for different animals of course. My experience is limited.
Just wanted to throw my 2cents in, and say welcome! Thanks for the laugh!;)
 
Hm. Okay. I did not plan to get parson's for a long time, or never. But they are one of my favorite species.

Basking around 88 for veiled, what about melleri? and, i do not plan to get an import of any species due to the conditions they suffer during importing.
 
parsons are crazy cool but ive only seen one for sale and it was around 2000$.... i recomend panther chameleon they have perty colors ...
i have a vieled and a panther and my panther might be retarted he's so calm and non shalont around me. while my vieled puffs up every time i walk by.. then when i pick him up he's suddenly non stressed and happy (weirdo) maybe its becuase i take him to his free range by a window.....
GET A PANTHER :D
also get them as babys - they usually warm up to you better -
 
CunningMoss said:
Hm. Okay. I did not plan to get parson's for a long time, or never. But they are one of my favorite species.

Basking around 88 for veiled, what about melleri? and, i do not plan to get an import of any species due to the conditions they suffer during importing.
Click to expand...

I dont keep melleri, so I dunno what there requirements are. though there are several members who do.

I think its hard to find a Captive bred or hatched one though.. so that could be an issue.
but panthers are great, good colors.
veileds have great personality, even the grumpy ones.

or you can get a jacksons, they have horns!
 
camimom said:
I dont keep melleri, so I dunno what there requirements are. though there are several members who do.

I think its hard to find a Captive bred or hatched one though.. so that could be an issue.
but panthers are great, good colors.
veileds have great personality, even the grumpy ones.

or you can get a jacksons, they have horns!
Click to expand...

jacksons are also considered pretty friendly
 
Most 24" fixtures I see in petshops/aquariumshops fit 18" bulbs. Ive always wondered why? I think its just to fit over aquariums, and utilize the plentiful 18" bulbs.
At home depot you can get a 24" fixture, that fits 24" bulbs, for $10-$15.
I think they work alot better.
This is my light setup on a 2x2x4 DIYcage.

I use one of the 24"Fixture-18"Bulb things in front, for a grow light.
P2050810.jpg
The cheap fixt.....what the heck? Donahue is in love with Stella, sorry, ignore him...the cheap fixture Im recomending is the white one behind it. You have to wire a cord to it, and it comes with a clear cover that you toss out. The endcaps of the fixture allow it to be set down on the cage.
P2050812.jpg

P2050813.jpg
I use industrial strength velcro to keep it securely on top of the cage.
P2050816.jpg

P2050819.jpg

I have bought a few light hoods from petshops, and they are just trash compared to an actual fixture. They are more pleasing to the eye however, hence the reason for it being in front. Anyhow, hope that was helpful:rolleyes:
 
Okay, i might try that. One thing I am wondering since I have not experimented with heating bulbs before.. is if i want it 78-88 degrees average temperature, is a regular house hold bulb really going to supply that heat, or am I missing some thing?
 
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