thinking about getting a chameleon...
- Thread starter eleph114
- Start date
Marc10edora
Avid Member
chameleonnews.com has some of the best info.
Dankmeleon
New Member
just a warning, a panther may not be the best to start out with...I consider myself pretty smart and good at pulling information online as I am a hydroponic gardner and the skill set for learning info is much the same.....however there will always be things you will miss and can only learn with experience that will save you time and save the health of your chams...as badly as I wanted a panther as my first chameleon...I'm extremely glad I started a round with veileds and jacksons before hand as I got all my kinks out of the way...and with veileds they are a much much hardier species and can take a little bit of abuse here and there....however panther chameleons are very fragile and delicate and require much more care and time.....my advice is to read hours on end at different reputable breeder sites so you can decypher the different bits of info out there....its really hard to understand the care for these animals until you have experienced what works and wat doesn't and what is a waste of time and money....good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any questions....number one concern is hydration and enclosure...you can't let them dry out for even a couple hours....it really hurts them on the progression of color and overall health 
good luck!
good luck!
Here are some sites with good information...
http://adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Personally I find Jackson's to be harder to keep than panthers. Veileds are the one I would recommend for a first chameleon.
http://adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm
Personally I find Jackson's to be harder to keep than panthers. Veileds are the one I would recommend for a first chameleon.
Dankmeleon
New Member
yea but if a jackson dies your out what 40 bucks and if a panther dies your up s creak
Will Hayward
New Member
Planning for the death of something is a poor way to start out... no?
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Dankmeleon
New Member
understanding what poor care leads to is a must, esp for someone with 1 post lol
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Will Hayward
New Member
Understanding, Yes. Experiencing, No.
Dankmeleon
New Member
okay, anyways I was just saying that no one even a genius like myself can just approach a broad topic and have it down pat after reading care sheets without developing the habits and practices of good care and husbandry, and that perhaps a learning experience of another type of cham would be most helpful as it was in my case, just my opinion and wisdom passed on to someone, with one post, obviously some people will jump up and get that panther cham as there first one....i'm not saying you should plan for death at all, I'm saying that for someone who doesn't understand all the car needed for a chameleon to thrive(esp because there are a lot of potential downfalls sometimes what may seem like good care is not, for example dousing them with water on hot days can sometimes be detrimental because of the humidity your causing leading to respiratory problems)
Its a complex scenario and one needs all the help he can get, seeking others who have made mistakes so he himself does not have to make them, life is way to short to make all the mistakes yourself as I'm sure you'd agree. approaching this with a pessimistic attitude really isn't wat I was getting at, more understanding the worst and improving from there.
Its a complex scenario and one needs all the help he can get, seeking others who have made mistakes so he himself does not have to make them, life is way to short to make all the mistakes yourself as I'm sure you'd agree. approaching this with a pessimistic attitude really isn't wat I was getting at, more understanding the worst and improving from there.
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
But you made it an issue about money....not about a beginner animal (which Jackson's are not).
Agreed we all need to start somewhere, but the point made was that this animal may not be a beginner animal. Cost of the animal should have no bearing.
I would have expected a genius to figure that out.
-Brad
Agreed we all need to start somewhere, but the point made was that this animal may not be a beginner animal. Cost of the animal should have no bearing.
I would have expected a genius to figure that out.
-Brad
Dankmeleon
New Member
i didn't say that was the only issue but its certainly the truth, and also I was just sharing my opinion you shouldn't attack someone for sharing their experience... so why my experience may not have helped you maybe they helped others which is about all I care about here given the attitude of some vets.... my main concern is the chameleons
The goal of a chameleon breeder is to sell a chameleon to as many people as possible, some educate to a small extent, but like I said its a broad topic....and they are more concerned with cash now. I myself would never sell my cham to anyone without optimal conditions but thats not the case at all by even the most reputable breeders, they'll sell to anyone
fact is, if plentttttty of other people and myself, had started with a panther, we'd would be out of a lot money, as I've had a veiled and a jackson escape because I didn't fully understand the species.
all I'm saying is that the lessons that can be learned in 40 dollars for an adult jackson...or 60 dollars for a subadult veiled....can prove to be priceless when it comes time for the health of your new panther, which by the way costs more like 300-350 ..... most people aren't going to kill it, most people will at least take decent care of it.......... buttttttt if something does happen due to your n00bness, soooooooooooooooooo what, you learned something INVALUABLE that will go towards the future health of your EXPENSIVE panther. If you can't understand what I'm getting at, maybe its you guys that need the personal attacks.
you can pretend that isn't an issue if you'd like because your experienced but for someone who is just gettting started, if this isn't a concern for them....I don't think they are doing much thinking. the knowledge doesn't just hold true for keeping them, but also selecting one that is healthy....I know from the experience of my other chams what a very healthy cham looks like.....had I gone out and selected a panther.......once again I may not have had that keen of insight, much like I can look at a young veiled now and have an idea of what he'll look like , before I had no clue...
I've even seen people take perfect care of chams and had them drop dead from pre existent conditions....you never know, and someone without experience knows even less
anyways the message is clear here on this forum which is why it has been suffering perhaps people would enjoy coming here and sharing more of there experiences if the veterans didn't attack them with unnescesary comments, I never said anything to disturb you. Never said I'm right or that all my information was the only information, I was just sharing my thoughts and OPINION which I was very clear about and which also probably helped some. my concern is helping new people prevent hurting chameleons and giving a real life example....sorry if you can't handle that...in the long run the nicer you be to new members, the faster the chameleon trade will grow and the more demand there will be for quality chameleons....if the knowledge could grow with that demand that would be great, but it seems like you guys love to suppress people when they like to share....this must be YOUR personal site because you act like it...at that rate what do you even need a site for? maybe you should just have a chameleon tree house club
in a perfect world everyone would get a cham and they'd thrive, but this isn't a perfect world, people have trouble keeping themselves in good health(nutrition hydration etc) not to mention an aboreal creature they know very very little about except they look real cool and shoot there tounges out. In a perfect world when you go to a show and buy a cham, you have an informative seller, but unfortunetly this is not the case.....usually at shows people are very busy watching all the people in the booth....so you have a few seconds of the vendors time and the life or death of your cham is up to you
The goal of a chameleon breeder is to sell a chameleon to as many people as possible, some educate to a small extent, but like I said its a broad topic....and they are more concerned with cash now. I myself would never sell my cham to anyone without optimal conditions but thats not the case at all by even the most reputable breeders, they'll sell to anyone
fact is, if plentttttty of other people and myself, had started with a panther, we'd would be out of a lot money, as I've had a veiled and a jackson escape because I didn't fully understand the species.
all I'm saying is that the lessons that can be learned in 40 dollars for an adult jackson...or 60 dollars for a subadult veiled....can prove to be priceless when it comes time for the health of your new panther, which by the way costs more like 300-350 ..... most people aren't going to kill it, most people will at least take decent care of it.......... buttttttt if something does happen due to your n00bness, soooooooooooooooooo what, you learned something INVALUABLE that will go towards the future health of your EXPENSIVE panther. If you can't understand what I'm getting at, maybe its you guys that need the personal attacks.
you can pretend that isn't an issue if you'd like because your experienced but for someone who is just gettting started, if this isn't a concern for them....I don't think they are doing much thinking. the knowledge doesn't just hold true for keeping them, but also selecting one that is healthy....I know from the experience of my other chams what a very healthy cham looks like.....had I gone out and selected a panther.......once again I may not have had that keen of insight, much like I can look at a young veiled now and have an idea of what he'll look like , before I had no clue...
I've even seen people take perfect care of chams and had them drop dead from pre existent conditions....you never know, and someone without experience knows even less
anyways the message is clear here on this forum which is why it has been suffering perhaps people would enjoy coming here and sharing more of there experiences if the veterans didn't attack them with unnescesary comments, I never said anything to disturb you. Never said I'm right or that all my information was the only information, I was just sharing my thoughts and OPINION which I was very clear about and which also probably helped some. my concern is helping new people prevent hurting chameleons and giving a real life example....sorry if you can't handle that...in the long run the nicer you be to new members, the faster the chameleon trade will grow and the more demand there will be for quality chameleons....if the knowledge could grow with that demand that would be great, but it seems like you guys love to suppress people when they like to share....this must be YOUR personal site because you act like it...at that rate what do you even need a site for? maybe you should just have a chameleon tree house club
in a perfect world everyone would get a cham and they'd thrive, but this isn't a perfect world, people have trouble keeping themselves in good health(nutrition hydration etc) not to mention an aboreal creature they know very very little about except they look real cool and shoot there tounges out. In a perfect world when you go to a show and buy a cham, you have an informative seller, but unfortunetly this is not the case.....usually at shows people are very busy watching all the people in the booth....so you have a few seconds of the vendors time and the life or death of your cham is up to you
Dankmeleon
New Member
in my experience, jacksons and panthers are at a very similar difficulty level, maybe I'm mistaken...but my first take on the subject was that anyone that can handle a panther can handle jackson....not to mention jacksons are readily available in quantities.......I apologize if I mislead anyone to think i was saying jackson is a beginner chameleon, I was merely drawing the conclusion that a panther isn't a beginner chameleon either and that between the two I'd start out with one I can make a few small mistakes on....because I garuntee they'll get made........ i don't know anyone here that won't admit to having subtle flaws in husbandry in there first days no matter how much reading they've done
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
D,
My post was primarily referring to the above statement which seemed (in my opinion) to de-value a particular breed or even make it seem expendable in an effort to learn how to care for a different (more expensive) breed.
Although you do not literally say Jackson's are a beginner breed, your initial post does suggest this.
I agree with starting with a Veiled, and I applaud everyone on this forum who make an effort to help the others. That is what this forum is about.
I apologize if you were overly offended by my response to this but I still stand by it.
We also get to question and, although not always constructive, criticize.
-Brad
Canopy Chameleons
Established Member
You say this like it's a fact. A Jackson's cost almost $300 here, and it's quite hard to find. Not to mention the harsh climate here makes them almost impossible to keep. Just because you're in the states, doesn't mean everyone is. Keeping Jackson's are different for everybody, it might be easier and cheaper down there, but it doesn't mean that they're worthless cause they're only $40. I've paid up to $350 here for a Jackson's. Does that still make it worthless? I've been having luck with them, but it comes with alot of research and dedication. Any montaine species is not going to be a beginners Cham in the first place. REGARDLESS OF PRICE.
Good luck in choosing, eleph114. I personally think researching into a Veiled or a Panther would be your best areas to start. And the links posted are great areas to start. Don't let the off topic nature of this thread sway you from your decision, Kinyonga posted the best links for Cham researching, and again, Good Luck!
Dankmeleon
New Member
i would never pay that much for a jackson
eleph114...please read the information on the sites that you were provided here and hopefully that will help you to decide which chameleon you will get. I have kept both veileds and panthers for many years (as well as a number of other chameleons) and have found both to be good starters....but I would recommend that you look for one that is at least several months old (well-started) and to look at getting a male so you won't have to deal with egglaying issues.
As for keeping a chameleon wet all the time...its important to let a chameleon dry out to prevent fungal infections, etc. from developing in a chameleon.
I would never recommend "dousing" a chameleon either...misting, using a dripper and even gentle showering are acceptable ways of providing water for your chameleon....and as long as the chameleon is not allowed to get cold before drying out, it shouldn't develop a respiratory infection. Most repiratory infections are caused by the chameleon not being kept warm enough or being kept in a draft or by bacteria/fungus buildup if standing water is allowed to accumulate in a chameleon's environment.
This forum is a good place to come for information and with enough proper information you should be able to keep your chameleon successfully as long as your chameleon has no health issues which are not related to his husbandry.
Chameleons are not the easiest lizard to keep in captivity and good husbandry is definitely important for success.
If you have any questions, just ask!
As for keeping a chameleon wet all the time...its important to let a chameleon dry out to prevent fungal infections, etc. from developing in a chameleon.
I would never recommend "dousing" a chameleon either...misting, using a dripper and even gentle showering are acceptable ways of providing water for your chameleon....and as long as the chameleon is not allowed to get cold before drying out, it shouldn't develop a respiratory infection. Most repiratory infections are caused by the chameleon not being kept warm enough or being kept in a draft or by bacteria/fungus buildup if standing water is allowed to accumulate in a chameleon's environment.
This forum is a good place to come for information and with enough proper information you should be able to keep your chameleon successfully as long as your chameleon has no health issues which are not related to his husbandry.
Chameleons are not the easiest lizard to keep in captivity and good husbandry is definitely important for success.
If you have any questions, just ask!
stevereecy
New Member
I was laughing
I was laughing to myself, because in my mind's eye, I imagined the original poster thinking to themself: "Man, those chameleon keepers argue too much...maybe I'll get a bearded dragon".
I was laughing to myself, because in my mind's eye, I imagined the original poster thinking to themself: "Man, those chameleon keepers argue too much...maybe I'll get a bearded dragon".
