fester2226
Member
what are the pros and cons of getting one of these amazing creatures
should i get a chameleon
- Thread starter fester2226
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jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you do tons of research first, buy all of your supplies and equipment, set everything up and test it for awhile and have a nice savings account for other expenses such as feeders and vet bills, then you should be fine.
I absolutely love my chameleons. They bring great joy and pleasure to my life. I do find them to be high maintenance and an expensive pet to keep and they break your heart when they leave you.
Here's my blog for new keepers of panthers and veileds. I hope you will find it helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
I absolutely love my chameleons. They bring great joy and pleasure to my life. I do find them to be high maintenance and an expensive pet to keep and they break your heart when they leave you.
Here's my blog for new keepers of panthers and veileds. I hope you will find it helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
ZiggyStardust
New Member
Hi, I can only echo what the amazingly knowledgeable Jann has said....
My twopennorth is to be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort if you want to ensure that any chameleon that you keep stays healthy. They are wonderful, unique and fascinating creatures, but they are not easy to keep if you cannot find the time to put in the work.
I am not in any way trying to put you off, but every day they require quite high levels of care and maintenance in order to keep them successfully. If you are prepared to do this, then owning one can be the most amazingly satisfying experience.
As Jann has said, do your homework first, read, read and then read some more everything that you can find. Ensure that your set up is up and running for at least a week before you introduce the chameleon, making sure that the temps and humidity levels are spot on.
Also bear in mind that Chameleons do and will need veterinary care, they are a specialised and exotic creatures, so make sure that you have a vet within your travelling range that knows what they're doing.... many small animal vets don't and you can find yourself faced with having to travel a long way if a problem arises. make sure that you allow a certain budget every year for vet visits as well, as herp vets tend to charge considerably more than small animal vets due to the level of expertise that they have to have.
Good luck!
My twopennorth is to be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort if you want to ensure that any chameleon that you keep stays healthy. They are wonderful, unique and fascinating creatures, but they are not easy to keep if you cannot find the time to put in the work.
I am not in any way trying to put you off, but every day they require quite high levels of care and maintenance in order to keep them successfully. If you are prepared to do this, then owning one can be the most amazingly satisfying experience.
As Jann has said, do your homework first, read, read and then read some more everything that you can find. Ensure that your set up is up and running for at least a week before you introduce the chameleon, making sure that the temps and humidity levels are spot on.
Also bear in mind that Chameleons do and will need veterinary care, they are a specialised and exotic creatures, so make sure that you have a vet within your travelling range that knows what they're doing.... many small animal vets don't and you can find yourself faced with having to travel a long way if a problem arises. make sure that you allow a certain budget every year for vet visits as well, as herp vets tend to charge considerably more than small animal vets due to the level of expertise that they have to have.
Good luck!
If you have several hours each week available, are willing to read for hours about their care, like a challenge, and have $400.00 or so to get started, it is for you!
CHEERS!
Nick Barta
CHEERS!
Nick Barta
ZiggyStardust
New Member
Nick, you have said in one sentence what I was inarticulately trying to say in my post!! Spot on!!
fester2226
Member
thanks for all your advice
Craig94089
New Member
I think also another factor to consider is time spent taking care of feeder insects when dealing with many different types of reptiles. They're like the bonus sidekick "pets" that go along these awesome animals. I did not factor in the feeding and care of insects that I feed, but it's all with it. I tell people I have 1, 000 pets, many of which are in temporary foster care ; ).
fester2226
Member
haha very funny
Scoobthenoob
Member
Simple answer is no....
But if you follow above advice, and fully research everything, and know you can accommodate, then you and your new chameleon should have a much better life as a result
But if you follow above advice, and fully research everything, and know you can accommodate, then you and your new chameleon should have a much better life as a result
fester2226
Member
hopefully better than the ones at the petstore
Craig94089
New Member
I wouldn't go as far to say the simple answer is no, but I do agree with the research. Only being a cham owner for several months I found that while there is a lot of care needed, it wasn't nearly as difficult as some posts would lead people to believe with the hardier beginner chams.
It all depends on the owners level of commitment. I'm a firm believer that if someone had a basic understanding of humidity, temp gradients/UV requitements, dietary needs, and proper habitat they would do fine; setting this up well in advance is always the better choice to learn what works and doesn't in their local.
It all depends on the owners level of commitment. I'm a firm believer that if someone had a basic understanding of humidity, temp gradients/UV requitements, dietary needs, and proper habitat they would do fine; setting this up well in advance is always the better choice to learn what works and doesn't in their local.
ZiggyStardust
New Member
This is all fine and I totally agree... but what you have to remember with chameleons, and you have said it, Craig.... the word is COMMITMENT.
Chameleons are not lizards that will thrive with a minimum of care. Beardies and Geckos can, but Chams can't.
I have two chameleons and I would say that honestly?? I spend at least an hour a day, every day, taking care of them. This includes husbandry, such as emptying bowls that are on the base of the viv catching water from drippers, cleaning away poop and urates, misting 3 times a day, keeping, feeding and cleaning out tanks of feeder insects, it all adds up.
They are not the sort of reptiles that you can take off for a couple of days, throw a few insects in and know they'll be fine.
They are high maintenance and quite delicate in a lot of ways. If you take one on, you have to be prepared to do the above, twice a day, day in, and day out. No exceptions.
Craig94089
New Member
Yep spot on, one of the reasons I am sticking to one cham until I get more time under my belt. They are so cute but as you pointed out the labor of love adds up, and quickly.
I've already had to travel for a week out of state last month and I was so paranoid he would not receive half the care I give him. I went as far as a detailed daily check sheet and $50 fee for making sure he received good care. Thank goodness for timers and a mist system to make it a little easier.
First routine checkup and tests ran me $200...so that I would say is one of the biggest cons when considering a cham. Commitment and Cash, lots of it lol.
I've already had to travel for a week out of state last month and I was so paranoid he would not receive half the care I give him. I went as far as a detailed daily check sheet and $50 fee for making sure he received good care. Thank goodness for timers and a mist system to make it a little easier.
First routine checkup and tests ran me $200...so that I would say is one of the biggest cons when considering a cham. Commitment and Cash, lots of it lol.
ZiggyStardust
New Member
I am extremely lucky that my 21 year old daughter is not bothered in the slightest by insects and moved into my house in August to look after both my Chameleons when I was away on holiday. Otherwise, I would have had to have them both boarded, which would have cost a lot.
Nick, you have said in one sentence what I was inarticulately trying to say in my post!! Spot on!!
I hear voices in my mind and listen to them…
Nick
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