Process of acquiring new chameleon

[daverep23]

Hi all

I am recently new to the forums. Have had chameleons in the past and looking to get back into it. I have been looking around at classifieds and breeders for Panther chameleons. This leads me to my question.

Besides the health of the chameleon what are the key aspects that you look for in purchasing a chameleon?

I ask this because I am in middle of the process and I am at crossroads.

My answer would be the species and then look/morph. This is at least the starting point. From there the customer service level. How quickly they respond and how well they communicate. I do not like feeling left unsure. Specially if I'm willing to spend what I consider a lot of money. And finally the price plays a crucial role.

Thanks for any dialogue it may be helpful during the process

Dave

 

[unixmiah]

where do you live?

 

[unixmiah]

you have more choices of getting it online but you need to do research before you buy. on chameleon forums website/this website there are recommended breeders like flchams.com

i ended up getting my veiled and panther from petsmart/veiled and petco/panther. it's because i was looking around to see what they look like in person before i purchase them online.

i felt terrible after reading all these horror stories of how petco and petsmart keep them in cages without proper lighting-- I've even heard of them tossing them in the trash. when I saw them in there basically i paid a hefty ran$om to rescue them and spend like $400 on their setup. these stores try to see you the chameleon all sick and want you to spend hundreds on their other vivarium products. if you feel that way, you can try-- i was lucky, none of them were sick but i've seen some in there all dis coloured.

 

[Wowbango]

i felt terrible after reading all these horror stories of how petco and petsmart keep them in cages without proper lighting-- I've even heard of them tossing them in the trash. when I saw them in there basically i paid a hefty ran$om to rescue them and spend like $400 on their setup. these stores try to see you the chameleon all sick and want you to spend hundreds on their other vivarium products. if you feel that way, you can try-- i was lucky, none of them were sick but i've seen some in there all dis coloured.

This actually makes the problem WORSE. Petco/Petsmart will continue to restock them and keep them in horrible conditions if people are buying them.

 

[Wowbango]

Hi all

I am recently new to the forums. Have had chameleons in the past and looking to get back into it. I have been looking around at classifieds and breeders for Panther chameleons. This leads me to my question.

Besides the health of the chameleon what are the key aspects that you look for in purchasing a chameleon?

I ask this because I am in middle of the process and I am at crossroads.

My answer would be the species and then look/morph. This is at least the starting point. From there the customer service level. How quickly they respond and how well they communicate. I do not like feeling left unsure. Specially if I'm willing to spend what I consider a lot of money. And finally the price plays a crucial role.

Thanks for any dialogue it may be helpful during the process

Dave

ALWAYS buy from a reputable breeder, not from Petco/Petsmart as their husbandry is terrible for reptiles. There is a great list of sponsored breeders on this website, which you cannot go wrong with. Buying from one of them may be more expensive in the end, but you know that you're getting a quality healthy pet. I very much recommend Canvas Chameleons as well as Chameleon Paradise. Both Nick and Bruce are extremely knowledgeable and can help you find the right one. Most of the breeders will have different locales (morphs) to choose from so you have a lot of options.

 

[NHenn]

This actually makes the problem WORSE. Petco/Petsmart will continue to restock them and keep them in horrible conditions if people are buying them.

I have to agree. I wouldn't recommend anyone to get one at their local Petco or Petsmart. You may be helping that individual animals but you are dooming the fate of the next one in line.

I would recommend one of the site sponsors of the forums. They are all very helpful and I'm sure any one of them would love to help get you set up with a new panther that meets all your purchasing criteria

 

[JaxyGirl]

Welcome to the forums!
I recently got a Panther from chameleonsonly.com "Kammerflage Kreations" and they were great to deal with and my baby showed up nice and healthy.
I bought a female Jacksons from petco once because I felt bad for her..and she had problems right from the get go. Who knows how long she had been there before I got her? Pet stores buy baby chams by the dozen and most don't know or care where they come from..think puppy mills.
I highly agree that you spend the money and get one from a reputable breeder. Also good breeders are available for questions about your new Cham. They want you to be successful because their reputation depends on it.

 

[JaniP]

Always go through a reputable breeder.

My first cham was from a breeder, he was amazing. After he passed from old age a close family member decided it would be a good idea to "surprise me" with a "replacement" cham they had picked up at a pet store.

Long story short, he had no chance because his first few months were so bad. He was cute but on his death bed. I couldn't bear telling my family member to return him because I knew the situation he would be going back to.

My newest guy is from a reputable breeder and I have a deposit on another baby from the same breeder. You can just tell the difference when you receive a well cared for cham. My main things I look for is friendly and fast response with accurate answers to questions, healthy looking animal parents, accessibility (I'm Canadian), the general prettiness of the animals they produce, and then price

 

[unixmiah]

I agree-- I would never go there again-- their stuff is always over priced. I only go there now to re-up on crickets. Now I'm trying to breed Dubias.

Even if you go there to buy a branch or a decorative food plate for the Chameleon it's an arm and a leg you pay to get.

I learned how to boil branches/bleach sanitize them before I use it--- it's better to be petco/petsmart independent.

I bought them because I felt like I needed to rescue them. Now they are doing extremely well-- my veiled is a cricket snatcher like spyderman-- he eats non stop. the baby panther is showing colours-- i've been loading them up with minerals, gut loading their food.

But there is a big change if they are sick with something from petco/petsmart you can't solve.

 

[JaniP]

And kudos for asking these questions first

 

[daverep23]

Wow,

Fast responses! I live in North Florida. So I am pretty excited to be able to offer the little guys sunshine most of the year on a consistent basis. I will be going through a breeder. This might make it more simple. What are peoples experiences with Kammerflage and Screameleons?

@Jaxygirl - Thanks for the input before I asked

 

[JoCarp]

Wow,

Fast responses! I live in North Florida. So I am pretty excited to be able to offer the little guys sunshine most of the year on a consistent basis. I will be going through a breeder. This might make it more simple. What are peoples experiences with Kammerflage and Screameleons?

@Jaxygirl - Thanks for the input before I asked

I spoke with Screameleons a year or two ago and they were very helpful back then. I didn't purchase from them as the timing was bad on my end, but I was very happy with the pre-sale customer service for what it's worth. I got my Merlin (panther) from Bruce with Chameleon Paradise who is also a sponsor. I cannot say enough positive things about Bruce and his customer service! I have had Merlin for almost 2 months now and Bruce still shoots me an email every now and then to check in and always gets back to me with questions and concerns I may have ask about. Sounds like you're a little more experienced than I am but, Bruce was very helpful before AND AFTER the sale was complete, which was key to me. My guy is sired by Cowboy and the thread I have tracking his progress is:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleon-came-today-142055/
He just finished shedding so I need to get a fresh picture up since he's showing more color now.
Good Luck!

 

[nick barta]

you have more choices of getting it online but you need to do research before you buy. on chameleon forums website/this website there are recommended breeders like flchams.com

i ended up getting my veiled and panther from petsmart/veiled and petco/panther. it's because i was looking around to see what they look like in person before i purchase them online.

i felt terrible after reading all these horror stories of how petco and petsmart keep them in cages without proper lighting-- I've even heard of them tossing them in the trash. when I saw them in there basically i paid a hefty ran$om to rescue them and spend like $400 on their setup. these stores try to see you the chameleon all sick and want you to spend hundreds on their other vivarium products. if you feel that way, you can try-- i was lucky, none of them were sick but i've seen some in there all dis coloured.

I think it is unfair to guess at the store managers, or store employees motives; I doubt they try to sell you sick chameleons, that doesn't make business sense. Ignorance is probably the reason the box pet stores don't do well with chameleons.
They do offer caging, watering systems, and heating systems that are appropriate for many lizards, but again, I would guess ignorance is the problem with most box store employees/managers.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[JoCarp]

I think it is unfair to guess at the store managers, or store employees motives; I doubt they try to sell you sick chameleons, that doesn't make business sense. Ignorance is probably the reason the box pet stores don't do well with chameleons.
They do offer caging, watering systems, and heating systems that are appropriate for many lizards, but again, I would guess ignorance is the problem with most box store employees/managers.

CHEERS!

Nick

I agree Nick! I was told growing up "You should not attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by ignorance"

Make it a great day,